Genes that control the timing of organ formation during development also control timing of aging and death, and provide evidence of a biological timing mechanism for aging, Yale researchers report in the journal Science (December 23, 2005). They actually studied worms, of all things, but it turns out worms are a very useful model for mammalian species.
Although there is a large variation in lifespan from species to species, there are genetic aspects to the processes of development and aging, according to Frank Slack, associate professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and senior author of the paper. The simple, but genetically well-studied, C. elegans worm was studied. Genes were found that are directly involved in determination of lifespan. Slack suggests humans have genes that are nearly identical.
A microRNA and the developmental-timing gene it controls, lin-4 and lin-14, affect patterns of cellular development at very specific stages. Slack’s group found that mutations in these genes alter both the timing of the worm development stages and the worm lifespan. C. elegans has been the premier model organism for studying the genetics of aging, and an excellent predictor of genes that also control mammalian aging.
To test their functions, they made mutations in both of these genes. Animals with a loss-of-function mutation in lin-4 had a lifespan that was significantly shorter than normal, suggesting that lin-4 prevents premature death. Conversely, over-expressing lin-4 led to a longer lifespan. They also found that a loss-of-function mutation in lin-14, the target of lin-4, caused the opposite effect, a 31 percent longer lifespan.
According to Slack, their results are strong evidence of an intrinsic biological clock that runs for aging as well as for normal organ development. Included results showed the developmental programs that these genes regulate are modulated through insulin signaling, demonstrating the connection between insulin-driven metabolism and aging.
This microRNA is conserved in humans leading to the enticing idea of being able to beneficially affect the results of aging including diseases of aging, according to Slack. Work is under way to identify other microRNAs regulators and genes they target, to determine where they function and whether they behave the same way in mice, and to see if they are altered in human diseases of aging.
I can see the whole nature versus nurture controversy being reopened on this one. People are very sensitive to aging and many would love to be able to blame their genes on the one hand and to find a "fix" in gene therapy, thereby relieving themselves from efforts such as sun protection, anti-aging nutrition and generally healthy living.
Just remember that the work of Slack and co-author Boehm at Yale is a long way from absolving you from responsibility for anti-aging behaviors. Whatever eventually comes of follow-up to this research, there will always be many actons you can take to minimize the effecys of aging.
Legislative efforts to ban the neurotoxic artificial sweetener aspartame are about to be actioned in New Mexico; Bills to ban Thimerosal, the Mercury filler in vaccines and to create strong Nutrition Council are already on Governor Richardson’s Agenda for 30 day session, convening Jan. 17.
A bill to ban the neurotoxic artificial sweetener aspartame will be introduced in the New Mexico legislature on January 17. This will be the first legislative ban in the USA on aspartame. The bill is introduced by New Mexico State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino.
New Mexico Governor Richardson believes that states must take back some of the FDA’s regulatory power, because "the FDA isn’t doing anything," (quote: Dec.23, 2005) and "isn’t doing enough to warn people about the dangers of aspartame" (quote to medical writer for Albuquerque Journal, October 5, 2005).
Richardson has already placed on the "call" (his agenda for the coming 30 day session) a bill to ban Thimerosal, the mercury filler used in vaccines, and a bill to create a New Mexico Nutrition Council, with specific powers to question and challenge FDA approved products. These important bills are sponsored by the President Pro Tem of the NM Senate, Ben Altamirano.
Stephen Fox, author of the bill to create the Nutrition Council and the bill to ban aspartame is happy to answer questions on these 3 vital bills which could result in a new era of consumer protection. Stephen Fox may be found at 217 W. Water, Santa Fe, NM, or reached by telephone on 87501 505 983-2002.
US Senator Bingaman is considering the issue of aspartame’s neurotoxicity. He may ask the Senate to ask the FDA Commissioner to rescind the approval for aspartame.
The artificial sweetener, Aspartame, is a carcinogenic neurotoxin. One of its metabolites is formaldehyde. A recent study by the Ramazzini Oncology Foundation links it to 6 kinds of cancer, as reported on the National Institute of Health website in November 2005.
The FDA has refused to rescind its approval of aspartame, allowing it to be used in coffee sweeteners, "diet" beverages, "low-fat" yogurt and "sugarless" gum, to name just some of the 6000 products consumed by 70% of Americans and 40% of our children, that contain the product. It is also in over 500 children’s medications.
Interestingly, UK Member of Parliament from Wales, Roger Williams, on December 14, 2005, asked his parliament for a total United Kingdom ban on aspartame citing recent proof of its neurotoxicity.
Changes in western diets and farming methods over the last 50 years have played a major role in significant rises in mental health problems such as depression, as well as concentration and memory problems, according to a report published yesterday in the UK. The report, Feeding Minds, is based on research by the Mental Health Foundation and Sustain, an organization that campaigns for better food.
Researchers say less nutritious and imbalanced diets have led to growing rates of depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Alzheimer’s disease. Industrialised farming has introduced pesticides and altered the body fat composition of animals farmed for meat. This and other factors have led to large reductions in key nutrients such as essential fats, vitamins and minerals being consumed by large parts of the population.
Especially important has been the drop in intake by most people of omega-3 fatty acids and an increase in consumption of foods containing omega-6 fatty acids. The study reveals, for example, that only 29 per cent of those 15 to 24 years old reported eating a meal made from scratch every day, compared to 50 per cent of those aged over 65.
Dr Andrew McCulloch, of the Mental Health Foundation, said: "The Government cannot ignore the growing burden of mental ill health and must look to nutrition as an option in helping people to manage their mental health problems." The financial cost alone of mental ill health to Britain has been calculated at around £100 billion annually.
Evidence linking the impact of diet on mood and behaviour has been growing. Complex carbohydates as well as certain food components such as folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium and tryptophan are thought to decrease depression symptoms. Some studies have found correlations between low fish intake in populations and high levels of depression. There is also evidence that a factor behind the growth of Alzheimer’s is the increase in diets high in saturated fat and low in vitamins and minerals.
Some of the findings are truely troubling and I think will take quite a long time to remedy. For example, according to the report there has been a 34 per cent decline in vegetable consumption and a 59 per cent drop in the amount of fish eaten in the last 60 years. Further, only 13 per cent of men and 15 per cent of women now eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
A diet containing adequate amounts of complex carbohydrates, essential fats, amino acids, vitamins and minerals and water has been shown to promote balanced moods and feelings of well being. A lack of amino acids, from which neuro-transmitters in the brain are made, can lead to feelings of depression and apathy.
Courtney Van de Weyer, of Sustain, said: "The good news is that the diet for a healthy mind is the same as the diet for a health body. The bad news is that, unless there is a radical overhaul of food and farming policies – particularly on fish – there won’t be healthy and nutritious foods available in the future for people to eat."
Many of us have been saying all of these things for years, except of course, the detailed quantification found by the current researchers. If the numbers are wrong at all, I would suggest they are too conservative. A very large number of people overestimate the quality of the diet they follow and understate the number of times they experience a lapse in an otherwise quite nutritious diet.
Let us hope some policy initiatives will be generated and implemented to address the problems identified in the report. However, if you are reading this I say to you, don’t wait for policies. Take action right now to improve the quality of your nutrition.
Given the poor nutritional value of many foods available to you, supplementation is important. Supplementation is itself a quite complex issue. I recommend a total and balanced approach with excellent bio-availability and the highest possible quality standards. Take a good look at Total Balance. Even if you don’t try it, it will give you a clear indication of the standard you need to find and take.
The FDA warned consumers not to use two unapproved drug products that are being marketed as dietary supplements for weight loss. These appear to be important and useful warnings. Many people who overindulged over the festive season will fall prey to unscrupulous weight loss product marketers, placing them at risk.
Emagrece Sim Dietary Supplement, also known as the Brazilian Diet Pill, and Herbathin Dietary Supplement may contain several active ingredients, including controlled substances, found in prescription drugs that could lead to serious side effects or injury. They contain chlordiazepoxide HCl (the active ingredient in Librium), and fluoxetine HCl (the active ingredient in Prozac).
Emagrece Sim and Herbathin were also found to contain Fenproporex, a stimulant that is not approved for marketing in the United States. Consumers are advised not to use the Emagrece Sim and Herbathin products and to return them to the suppliers.
There may be other manufacturers or suppliers of imported Emagrece Sim and Herbathin, and consumers should exercise caution in using any of these imported products.
According to a report by Danish and US researchers published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, January 1, 2006, reductions in the amount of HIV in the blood that occur during the initial period of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), predict the likelihood of survival up to six years later.
Dr. Nicolai Lohse, lead investigator, of Odense University Hospital and colleagues came to this conclusion after an observational study of 2,046 patients. The patients were divided into three groups based on the amount of time they had detectable virus during the first to 6 to 18 months of HAART.
Over 72 months, patients with no detectable virus had an average CD4+ count increase of 3.3 cells per microliter per month. For patients who had detectable virus 1 percent to 99 percent of the time, the corresponding number was 2.9, and for patients who had never had undetectable viral levels, the figure was 2.6.
CD4+ cell counts are used to gauge the function of the immune system. As levels of these cells decline, so does the ability of the patient’s immune system to function.
At 72 months, the proportion of patients in these three categories with an HIV RNA level below 400 copies per mL was 96 percent, 83 percent and 57 percent respectively. Overall survival by group was 92 percent, 85.6 percent and 76.1 percent.
Because early episodes of loss of viral suppression "are associated with a bad long-term prognosis," concluded Lohse, "the physicians prescribing antiretroviral therapy should continue to work with patients to keep viral load under tight control."
Dr. Lohse said, "even single episodes of rising viral load during the period 6 to 18 months after initiating antiretroviral therapy should raise concern among the clinical care team."
Certainly it would appear that people who follow orthodox medical management of their HIV infection should endeavor to ensure that adequate drug levels are maintained to control viral activity.
In an earlier article I indicated a way this may be achieved at lower expense than is necessary given the exhorbitant costs charged by Big Pharma. I also advocated an alternative approach to supporting health more widely while boosting immune function.