"LONGER Life, LONGER Quality-of-Life with LONGER Telomeres: A Role for TA-65?"
Dr. Harvey Bartnof recently completed a comprehensive presentation presented by Smartlifeforum.org.

The ongoing research story regarding telomeres and telomerase in human disease and aging is fascinating. And it is very relevant to our humans' ongoing quest to maintain quality-of-life and to delay and prevent diseases of aging. The number of published information about telomeres has mushroomed dramatically with time. As of July 2011, there are now approximately 13,000 abstracts under the search term 'telomere' at the US National Library of Medicine. Abnormalities in telomere functioning represent a co-factor for the development of a range of human genetic, degenerative, aging diseases and cancer. Due to their ground-breaking work in discovering how chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase, The 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Professor Elizabeth Blackburn, PhD (University of California at San Francisco), Carol W. Greider, PhD, (Johns Hopkins University Smart Life Forum 4 Smart Life Forum Newsletter Thursday, August 18. 2011 School of Medicine) and Jack Szostak, PhD (Harvard Medical School).

What are Telomeres?
Telomeres are DNA-protein structures that cap the end part of chromosomes in cells. "Telos" is a Greek term that means "end" and "meros" means "part". The telomeres help to protect the DNA genetic material from unraveling in between normal cell divisions. Without telomeres, chromosomes would lose some genetic material with each cell division-a consequence of which would lead to cellular malfunction, disease and eventual death. Cells can only divide a finite number of times, defined in vitro (in test tube) as the "Hayflick Limit". This was first described by Dr. Leonard Hayflick in 1965. Specifically, telomeres are made of DNA base pairs, with a protein cap called "shelterin." When the telomeres are too short, telomeres signal to stop cell division, undergo cell senescence and "apoptosis" (programmed cell death). Telomeres are longest at the time of conception (15,000 base-pairs), are shorter at birth (10,000 base-pairs) and become progressively shorter as we age (loss of additional 5,000-7,000 throughout life). Although the rate at which the telomeres shorten varies significantly between individuals. The first identification of a telomere sequence in the Tetrahymena species was discovered by Elizabeth Blackburn and Joseph Gal in 1978.

Specific information presented included:

• Mice models of telomere modulation and aging;
• Co-factors that decrease telomeres;
• Co-factors that increase telomeres;
• TA-65 supplementation in mice to increase telomere length; and
• TA-65 supplementation in humans to increase telomere length and quality-of-life.

If you would like to read more, click here for full coverage presented by Smartlifeforum.org.

TA-65 NOW AVAILABLE AT CALIFORNIA LONGEVITY AND VITALITY MEDICAL INSTITUTE®:

UNIQUE SUPPLEMENT IMPROVES BIOLOGIC AGING

TA-65, an oral, natural supplement derivative that improves aspects of biologic aging in humans and mice, is now available at California Longevity and Vitality Medical Institute®. TA-65 increases telomerase, an natural enzyme, which in turn increases the length of telomeres that protect the ends of chromosomes in cells. Every time cells divide, the telomeres become shorter. Eventually, after many cell divisions with aging, the telomeres are too short to protect the chromosomes, and cell "senescence" occurs, associated with cellular malfunction and diseases. Many human studies have shown that aging correlates with shorter telomeres. And shorter telomeres in humans predict future diseases, including cancers, vascular diseases, heart disease, excess weight, "mitochondria" malfunction (energy decline), immune decline, and many others (when compared to people of the same age with longer telomeres). Longer telomeres are associated with a more youthful cellular profile and health.

Mice without telomerase have shorter lifespans and demonstrate many characteristics of premature aging, including weakened immune systems, and premature graying and thinning hair. Similarly, several human diseases of telomeres are linked with shorter lifespans, weakened immune function and failure of the bone marrow. Longer telomeres are associated with a younger cellular profile and normal cellular functioning. Mechanisms to increase the length of telomeres, either with TA-65 or by genetic engineering in mice, have reversed many aspects of aging in mice, according to researchers at Harvard School of Medicine and the Spanish National Cancer Research Center in Madrid, Spain. Such improvements included improved regrowth of brain neuron cells, new sperm cells, return of sense of smell, increased muscle coordination, and wound healing. No increase in cancers occurred. Mice with excess telomerase age more slowly than mice of the same age without excess telomerase.

Studies of humans who have taken TA-65 show increases in the length of telomeres, particularly in cells that had the shortest telomeres. Improvements also occurred in: immune function; bone density, and cardiovascular biomarkers. Anecdotally, patients have noted improvements in libido, energy and skin quality. As of Spring 2011, more than 1,000 people have taken TA-65, for up to 4 years. No side effects have been reported, no new cancers have occurred, and no worsening of pre-existing cancers have been observed. Anecdotally, some cancers have improved.

The Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology was awarded in 2009 for the discovery of telomerase to Elizabeth Blackburn, PhD from the University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine and her colleagues Carol Greider and Jack Szostak.

TA-65 is a molecule derived from Austragalus, a Chinese herb that has been used for centuries. Austragalus itself does not activate telomerase or increase telomeres. Geron Corporation originally discovered the molecule that activates telomerase in 2000. T.A. Sciences licensed this technology in 2002. The first human started to take TA-65 in 2007. The topic of telomeres and telomerase is the focus of more than 8,000 peer-reviewed publications in the medical literature.

Existing patients at our Institute are encouraged to discuss TA-65 at their next Consultation. If you are interested in taking TA-65 or learning more about it, please contact the Institute at 415-986-1300.

You may alternatively complete the California Longevity & Vitality Medical Insitute® Confidential Registration Form for more information.