Stimulation of telomerase safely extends lifespan in mice, a new study shows.

In a landmark study demonstrating “proof of principle” of the feasibility and safety of “slowing or turning back the clock,” Spanish researchers gave aged mice a single treatment to stimulate genetic expression of telomerase that extended health and lifespan by up to 24 percent.

These new results serve as yet more validation of research performed by Isagenix Founder John Anderson in partnership with molecular biologist Bill Andrews, Ph.D., on inducing the expression of telomerase in humans with natural compounds for healthier aging and greater longevity. This research is what led to the creation of Isagenix product, Product B.

Although previous research has long suggested telomerase expression would maximize the potential for cells to replicate, Maria Blasco, Ph.D., and fellow researchers from the Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO) showed unequivocally that increasing this enzyme in aging mice improves health and extends lifespan safely without any increase in rates of cancer.

Dr. Andrews responded with excitement to this new research: “I have been struggling with trying to debate the rumors that telomerase may cause cancer for almost 20 years. In the last 5 years there have been a large number of publications suggesting that telomerase, in fact, does not cause cancer. But, nothing shows it better than this publication by Dr. Maria Blasco that just came out.”

More than just a testament to the safety, the authors of the just-released study report the thrilling implications of “delaying physiological aging and extending longevity in normal mice” through telomerase induction and demonstrating its feasibility as an aging intervention.

Since the discovery of telomerase and its potential to extend lifespan were unveiled, a number of studies have been performed investigating the potential therapeutic benefits. Manipulating gene expression to combat or potentially reverse aging has driven researchers into the field of telomeres.

Telomeres are the guards of the genetic material housed by the cell. These protein caps shelter the chromosome from damage during cell division (at least for the first 80 cycles). With time the telomere shortens and eventually cell death (what we recognize as aging) occurs. Telomerase lengthens telomeres, preventing erosion of the chromosome and damage to DNA—as the authors phrase it, this enzyme acts as a “longevity gene.”

In the current study, a component of telomerase, mTERT, increased lifespan by 24 percent in mice treated at one years of age and by 13 percent in mice treated at two years of age. Researchers used an adeno-associated virus to introduce the mTERT gene therapy to the aged mice. Accessible to a large range of tissues, the authors reported significant improvements in many independent biomarkers of aging.

Bone mineral density increased significantly in both groups of mice. Physical appearance was bolstered by an improved retention of subcutaneous fat–a defining physical feature of youth. Even coordination and balance improved in mice that received the mTERT treatment. Moreover, insulin sensitivity and the ability to maintain blood sugar improved.

In each instance, telomerase appeared to be an agent of regeneration, contributing to more than an appearance of youthful aging. More cell cycles, as shown by the current study, can actually translate to a longer lifetime. The authors report that this telomerase gene therapy may “affect maximum longevity” and more importantly, do so without increasing risk for cancer. The potential, therefore, is currently limitless.

Telomere length is known to be influenced by a variety of factors. Engaging in stress reduction, meditation, physical activity, and diet can extend telomere length and potentially lifespan. Researchers are nearing the potential of tapping our own genes to promote healthier, longer lives. Telomerase could be the key for regeneration, rejuvenation, and “turning back the clock.”

With enthusiasm, Dr. Andrews cites this paper as yet another example, “that lengthening telomeres extends the lifespans of mice and has remarkable beneficial effects on their health and fitness. It’s a very exciting day for telomerase/telomere research. Telomeres are the key to longer, healthier lives. Everything that John Anderson and I are working on is fulfilling the promises that Maria’s new publication forecasts. I’m excited!”

In previous research at Harvard Medical School, geneticist Ronald Dephino, Ph.D. and colleagues found that mice lacking telomerase aged much more rapidly, and died earlier, as an abundance of critically short telomeres developed. But when the enzyme was reawakened in the mice, age-related symptoms disappeared and rejuvenation was seen in several organs including their brains.

Reference: de jesus BB, Vera E, Schneeberger K, Tejera AM, Ayuso E, Bosch F, and Blasco MA. Telomerase gene therapy in adult and old mice delays aging and increases longevity without increasing cancer. EMBO Mol Med 2012;4:1-14.DOI: 10.1002/emmm.201200245

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HBO's documentary focuses on need for weight-loss solutions, which Isagenix can provide.

The obesity epidemic is a national crisis as well as a heavy burden to public health. The Institute of Medicine (IOM), in association with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and in partnership with Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, have brought the research into the spotlight with The Weight of the Nation, a four-part documentary premiering last night on HBO.

The facts about overweight and obesity in the United States come with their own serving of shock value. With 36 percent of adults and 18 percent of children obese, this campaign aims to raise awareness, and kick-start a change toward a healthier population.

Less than one third of Americans are capable of maintaining a healthy body weight (classified by body mass index). Thomas Frieden, the Director of the CDC, explains that the damage to health is vast, there is not a single part of the body that is unaffected by overweight and obesity. The statistics are staggering:

• Nearly 66 percent of people with arthritis are overweight or obese
• Risk for kidney disease increases by 83 percent
• Risk of dementia  increases by 80 percent

Sharing the spotlight of this epidemic, risk for diabetes is on the rise. Now more than 79 million Americans are prediabetic and 25 million have the full diagnosis. The truth of fat is sobering, and unfortunately our society is in the throngs of a struggle. Armed with information, this documentary presents the problem but also prompts the road to recovery.

The practical reality is that fat is not just unsightly, but dangerous. However, the danger from weight gain is also reversible. Samuel Klein, Director for the Center of Human Nutrition and Washington University School of Medicine, explains that a small amount of weight loss, 5 to 10 percent of body weight, is beneficial to health.

An obese person may not be at elevated metabolic risk, depending upon the location of their body fat (below the skin, around the abdomen, within the organs). Rudolph Leibel, co-director of the New York Obesity Research Center explained that abdominal obesity (produced by visceral fat) is related to the risks for diabetes, heart disease, and heart attack. It is the location of body fat that can differentiate the level of health risks faced by two individuals that appear to be the same body weights.

In addition to the threats of abdominal obesity, fatty liver disease is also on the rise, and perhaps playing a bigger part in what deems fat detrimental. The liver, Klein says, “has a central role in causing or being involved in the metabolic complications of obesity…such as diabetes, high blood fats and blood lipids and eventually heart disease and death.” About 30 percent of all adults and 38 percent of obese children have fatty liver disease.

In an unorthodox experiment, Klein induced weight gain in already overweight individuals. What he found was that a 5 percent increase in body weight over a period of a few months led to a 160 percent increase in liver fat. The good news, he suggests is that “we know that when you begin the weight-loss process, you’ll very rapidly reduce the fat content of your liver. In fact, we found that 48 hours of calorie restriction causes a 25 percent reduction in liver fat content” – that should be a powerful motivator for anyone overweight considering a calorie-restricted program such as that of an Isagenix system!

The documentary being featured on HBO is the central point of the movement toward getting over obesity. The first two segments of the film, Consequences and Choices premiered last night, May 14, and laid the framework for the last segments Children in Crisis and Challenges, set to air this evening, May 15.

Overcoming over-weight and obesity is a commitment to your health, the health of your children, and the health of a nation too large. Weight loss is not a fad, but a lifestyle. Choosing systems like Isagenix that offer nutrient-dense meal options with an emphasis on portion control, and coupling that with physical activity, is integral to gain ground in the fight against fat.

The benefits of weight loss are rapid. Metabolic improvements are not always seen by the eye, but liver and visceral fat are the first fat stores to be mobilized during calorie reduction, elimination of which could vastly improve your health long-term. The cleansing program that is recommended by Isagenix delivers upon these same principles. Detoxifying your body through fat mobilization, particularly in these risky regions, contributes to overall weight loss, wellbeing, and longevity.

As portrayed in this documentary, most Americans struggle maintaining their weight. Not just a question of genetics and environment, as David Altshuler, MD, PhD, suggests in the documentary, this crisis is not a question of nature versus nurture, but instead is a problem with “nature and nurture.” Ranging from food policy to mood and stress, the struggle for a healthy body weight becomes increasingly complex.

Previously reviewed on our Isagenix Health Blog, mindful eating is shown to reduce stress and support weight loss. Elissa Epel from the Univeristy of California San Francisco studies stress as a driver of uncontrolled eating. As she puts it, the problem is not “what you’re eating, but what’s eating you.” Overeating in response to stress is as much a problem for the body as a problem of the mind.

How to lose weight is a question in which Isagenix can offer a practical, aggressive answer through complete, balanced systems. Your risk for chronic disease can be reduced within the first two days of starting a calorie-restricted regimen with Cleanse Days and Shake Days. The addition of Ionix Supreme can also support battling stress. Why take your time making the decision, when it could be taking time off your lifespan?

Get educated and get involved. Confront America’s obesity epidemic by tuning into the second segment of The Weight of the Nation tonight on HBO. For more information, podcasts, and access to the full documentary, visit: http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/.

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Vitamin D3 is more potent than D2, according to a meta-analysis.

By now you may have learned what vitamin D can do for your bones, muscle, your heart, and even your telomeres (those protective caps on chromosomes), but are you getting the right amount in the right form to boost levels optimally? 

Vitamin D is perhaps the most unique and certainly the most broadly influential “vitamin” in our diet. Given the scope of its action it may be no surprise this vitamin is not a vitamin at all, but works more like a hormone. Supplement users are acquainted with vitamin D in two forms: vitamin D2, available in plants and fortified foods, and vitamin D3, the natural form produced in the partnership between skin and sunshine and also found in some animal foods like egg yolks and oily fish.

Which one are you getting? Does it matter? Because of mixed data on potency, the scientific community has long been at odds regarding which form is best to bring levels in the blood stream up to optimal status; and finally an answer has been unveiled. For the first time, a systematic review and meta-analysis including 17 studies comparing the use of vitamin D2 to D3 suggest that D3 is the one most effective at raising blood levels of the vital-for-health vitamin.

Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, most of the evidence deems D3 as superior to D2. “Our results suggest a favoring toward cholecalciferol [D3] rather than ergocalciferol [D2] supplementation with respect to the more effective improvement of vitamin D status,” wrote the researchers.

Why is there a discrepancy between the forms? They both, after all, contribute to active circulating levels of vitamin D. Researchers believe the answer to this question is becoming clearer. Both types must undergo a series of conversions in the body to become “active.”  Becoming calcitriol, the active form, involves the liver and the kidney, some chemical reactions, and a bit of structural manipulation before it can exert a benefit on nearly every cell in the body. Put simply, vitamin D2 is not as easily converted to calcitriol as vitamin D3. Higher rates of conversion not only mean it is more effective, it also has implications for how long this hormone will be around to confer benefits. Given the information currently available, vitamin D3 seems to be the best bang for your buck when it comes to supplementation.

With the majority of people vitamin D deficient, the need for supplementation is vast. Though our bodies do make vitamin D from sun exposure, the amount of sunshine in northern countries is not sufficient, especially during the winter months, for the body to produce enough vitamin D. This makes it absolutely necessary to get adequate vitamin D from foods naturally rich in vitamin D, fortified foods, and dietary supplements.

Even in the summer months, as people actively try to avoid excessive UV exposure and take protective measures, which should absolutely be taken to avoid sunburn and higher risk of skin cancer, vitamin D status may still be in peril. This research emphasizes that there’s no need to change your defense against too much sun, even for the sake of vitamin D. High-quality dietary supplement such as Ageless Actives are available and offer more than two times the recommended daily value of vitamin D3.

Stay on top of your sun protection and take comfort in knowing that you don’t have to compromise your skin for your nutrition—when it comes to this hormone, the best defense against deficiency or low status may be offensive supplementation with D3.

Reference:  Tripkovic L, Lambert H, Hart K et al. Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr 2012. doi: 10.3945/​ajcn.111.031070

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• Practice Safe Sun Exposure? Take a Vitamin D Supplement
• Time to Dose Up on D
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Want a jumpstart to wellness before bikini season? A spring "cleanse" helps in five ways

It’s that time of year where many people are sprucing up their home or wardrobe, but it’s also the perfect time to spruce up your health and body by cleansing with Isagenix. More than just a way to get your body toned for swimsuit season, cleansing with Isagenix offers a surefire way to recharge, gain energy, and improve your overall health.

Depending on the type of Isagenix system you’re embarking on, Cleanse Days will involve one or two days a week, or every other week, where you’ll abstain from food and in its place will be the drink Cleanse for Life, plenty of purified water, and other little nutrient-packed “tools” to get you through.

Ask anyone who’s lost weight on Isagenix and they will surely tell you that these Cleanse Days are what gave them the “jump start” to results and benefits that are seen from the overall system. It’s not just other people too—as with anything else made by Isagenix—Cleanse Days encompass the benefits seen in well-designed, published studies. Here are five reasons why Cleanse Days will bring you results:

1. “Jump Starts” Fat Burning: The reduction of calories on Cleanse Days stimulates the body’s fat burning furnaces by increasing human growth hormone while suppressing proteins responsible for fat synthesis and storage. Notably, the surge in human growth hormone also helps protect against muscle breakdown as long as followed with intake of quality protein (as on Shake Days).
2. Triggers Detoxification: The abstinence of food on Cleanse Days gives the digestion processes a break, allowing the liver to kick into detox high gear. Also, with the reduction of fat deposits on Cleanse Days comes the release of stored fat-soluble toxins. By drinking Cleanse for Life on Cleanse Days, this helps encourage even deeper detoxification. Cleanse for Life provides several significant advantages over traditional fasting: The drink contains B vitamins, which are depleted during normal fasting. These vitamins are essential for normal body metabolism and energy production. It also contains bioactive herbal ingredients demonstrated to stimulate antioxidative and detoxification enzyme pathways including glutathione transferases, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. And, finally, Cleanse for Life contains potent antioxidative complexes that directly contribute to the body’s antioxidant defense system.
3. Improves Insulin Sensitivity: A review of animal and human studies involving intermittent or alternate-day fasting, or abstaining from food for one or two days in between normal calorie consumption days, found that fasting resets cellular sensitivity to glucose and insulin (1). This in itself can bring better health—allowing the body to better control blood sugar. The opposite of being insulin sensitive is insulin resistant, which is related to metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Recently, research has shown that periodic intermittent fasting was associated with reduced risk in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (2).
4. Reduces oxidative stress and inflammation: As fat cells shrink, they release fewer pro-inflammatory cytokines (signaling molecules) that cause oxidative stress and inflammation. Less total body fat also helps improve antioxidant status in the body. The end result is improved health overall and lower risk of chronic disease. Oxidative stress, in particular, plays a heavy toll on telomeres (related to aging). The lower the oxidative stress, the better for healthy aging.
5. Activates Your “Longevity Genes”: Studies in animals suggest that intermittent fasting on Cleanse Days can activate genetic expression of SIRT1, dubbed the “longevity gene” (3). The scientific interest in sirtuins, the family of proteins that SIRT1 is a part of, has grown since the early 2000s because of findings that stimulation of them—via calorie restriction, intermittent fasting, and compounds such as resveratrol—may slow aging and increase lifespan.

So what the about other parts of the Cleansing and Fat Burning System that are so great? For one, Shake Days on an Isagenix system can also be considered “calorie restricted” days. Two meals replaced with an IsaLean Shake and one 400- to 600-calorie well-balanced meal will most likely equate to consuming fewer calories than normal. If followed consistently, this in itself can lead to weight loss. On top of weight loss, calorie restriction has shown in both animal and human studies to elongate life and protect against chronic disease (1).

What’s more, the biggest component of an Isagenix system is IsaLean Shake, a nutrient-dense meal that feeds the body whey protein, which has consistently shown in studies to be the top choice (compared to other sources of protein like soy) for:

• Reducing muscle loss, which is usually associated with most weight-loss plans (4;6)
• Reducing total body fat and visceral fat by increasing fat burning (oxidation) (5;6)
• Increasing thermogenesis, which increases the amount of calories burned (5)

On top of this, Isagenix systems promote the regular use of Ionix Supreme, an adaptogen-rich tonic that helps reduce the stress associated with weight loss and helps with the “feel good” effects of the program.

The beauty of a Cleansing and Fat Burning System from Isagenix lies in the combination of its individual parts. Not a system that involves restricting yourself to drinking plain juices, or worse yet, taking laxatives, Isagenix offers a lifestyle plan that supports weight and fat loss, will get you into swimsuit-shape, and supports muscle maintenance, supreme nutrition, and maximum detoxification.

References:

1. Varady KA, Hellerstein MK. Alternate-day fasting and chronic disease prevention: a review of human and animal trials. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;86-13.

2. Horne BD, et al. Usefulness of routine periodic fasting to lower risk of coronary artery disease among patients undergoing coronary angiography. Am J Cardiol 2008.2008 Oct 1;102(7):814-81.

3. Walker AK, et al. Conserved role of SIRT1 orthologs in fasting-dependent inhibition of the lipid/cholesterol regulator SREBP. Genes Dev 2010;24:1403-17.

4. Baer DJ, Stote KS, Paul DR, et al. Whey Protein but Not Soy Protein Supplementation Alters Body Weight and Composition in Free-Living Overweight and Obese Adults. J Nutr July 2011, 141.

5. Acheson KJ. Protein choices targeting thermogenesis and metabolism. Am J Clin Nutr 2011; 93: 525-34

6. Josse AR, Atkinson SA, Tarnopolsky MA, Phillips SM. Increased Consumption of Dairy Foods and Protein during Diet- and Exercise-Induced Weight Loss Promotes Fat Mass Loss and Lean Mass Gain in Overweight and Obese Premenopausal Women. J Nutr 2011;141:1626-34

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• Could Routine Cleanse Days Help You Live Longer?
• Top 25 Questions About Isagenix and Nutritional Cleansing
• Cleanse Days Combat Weight Gain and Oxidative Stress
• Eating Fewer Calories on Isagenix for a Longer Life
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Whey protein helps women lose weight while keeping muscle and bone, study suggests

Wisdom increases with age, but muscle and bone strength do not. How about giving mom a way to help her lose weight, build muscle, and improve balance this Mother’s Day? Moms can get the structural support they need to stay grounded with whey-based IsaLean Shake or IsaLean Pro. Whey protein may be the most effective protein supplement when it comes to stimulating muscle protein synthesis and supporting bones in older women, according to researchers from the University of Illinois.

Aging is associated with decreases in muscle and bone strength, compromised balance, and reduced physical fitness. Research published in The Journal of Gerontology suggests that this does not have to be the case. The authors of the current study report that a higher intake of quality protein promoted lean muscle and reduced fat mass in elderly women.

The double-blind clinical trial randomized 31 post-menopausal overweight or obese women to a reduced-calorie diet and moderate physical activity for six months with either a 25-gram whey protein or a carbohydrate supplement consumed twice daily. The researchers measured changes in body weight, fat mass, fat distribution, muscle strength, muscle accretion, leg strength, and functional markers. This study found that the women on the diet supplemented with whey protein lost more weight and kept more muscle in comparison to the women on the diet with more carbohydrates.

The authors wrote, “A higher intake during caloric restriction maintains muscle relative to weight loss, which in turn enhances physical function in older women.”

Women who are overweight and experience age-related muscle loss are almost four times more likely to have functional limitations than women of the same age with a healthy body weight. In the past, to the peril of physical fitness, researchers have thought that weight loss in older women can reduce muscle mass and increase frailty.

According to these results, however, “older adults consuming greater amounts of protein are less likely to lose lean mass over time.”

The study suggests that older women trying to lose weight can combat muscle loss by consuming a divided dose of 50 grams of whey protein daily. Higher protein, especially from calcium-containing whey protein, helps eliminate the decline in bone, muscle mass, and muscle strength typically seen with weight loss in the elderly, according to these results.

These results are important in defining the recommendations for weight loss and dietary interventions that best meet the needs of overweight and obese older women. Shown as net gains in muscle and net losses of fatty tissue, the pairing of weight loss with a high quality protein supplement enhances not only weight loss, but overall body composition too.

The authors suggest that, “Losing some of the burden caused by overweight on the leg joints may help prevent injuries and furthermore help maintain physical independence with aging.”

The scope of this study was limited both by the small sample size, and the short duration, according to researchers. However, they hypothesize that protein supplementation could show greater benefits in older women when coupled with resistance training.

The findings are a good bridge for further research into methods for sustaining muscle mass and physical function of women into old age. So what does this mean for mom? Its no secret that muscle and bone health is a woman’s plight as she gets older. Whey protein may help keep your mom stronger, longer.

Also, don’t forget to give mom Isagenix Essentials for Women. The multivitamin-mineral supplement containing optimal doses of calcium and vitamin D, when combined with whey, may be the ticket to giving the strong women in your life the message of just how essential they are to you.

Reference: Mojtahed MC et al. The effects of a higher protein intake during energy restriction on changes in body composition and physical function in older women. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2011. DOI: 10.1093/Gerona/glr120.

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Trainer: Noreen Khan-Mayberry, Ph.D.

Should you be concerned about toxins in your environment? Find out from environmental toxicologist and author of recently published book, Talking Toxicology, Dr. Khan-Mayberry, who specializes in environmental health, environmental remediation, green technologies and food toxicity.

Based on years of research, Dr. Phillips says whey is superior to soy for muscle in aging adults.

Skeletal muscle is the tissue of action, movement, force, and function. Unfortunately, time takes a toll on bodies and on muscle mass. The combination of perceived energy decline, decreased physical activity, and a blunted response for muscle growth (“anabolic resistance”) forms the association between aging and a loss in muscle mass.

Sustaining this important tissue is a battle that Stuart Phillips, PhD, FACN, FACSM, professor at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, has dedicated his career and his research to explore. On April 25, Dr. Phillips presented a comprehensive review of the research on dietary protein and aging at Experimental Biology 2012, in San Diego. The conference is an annual event where six scientific societies hold their joint scientific sessions and yearly meetings.

Deeming whey as the frontrunner in the race for the optimal protein supplement for aging adults, Dr. Philips explained that whey’s muscle-retaining benefits are clearly beyond those offered by soy (and other protein sources). Whey protein, he said, is uniquely superior for muscle stimulus and retention. Concluding his inquiry into protein for healthy aging, Dr. Philips explains that protein quality, quantity, and timing act synergistically to aid in the pursuit for long-term quality of life.

Isagenix caught up with Dr. Phillips at the event and afterward to gain more insight from his research. Taking a few moments to share the fruits of his pursuits, Dr. Philips tips his hat to whey protein:

Isagenix: What first interested you in studying the effects of protein on muscle?

Dr. Phillips: I was an athlete all my life playing hockey, football, rugby, and enjoying everything from swimming to triathlons. So muscle has always been near and dear to my heart (no pun) and my passion. I don’t compete in sports much anymore except with my wife and my three boys (13, 10, and 7), who are my stiffest competition yet! So now it’s about staying healthy, active, and maintaining my muscle mass, strength, and health. High-quality protein is a big part of that.

Isagenix: Can you explain anabolic resistance in aging? How does it relate to sarcopenia?

Dr. Phillips: Anabolic resistance is, as we define it, the inability of skeletal muscle in aged persons to mount a full protein synthetic response similar to that seen in the young. In other words, older people just don’t put the protein they eat into their muscles as efficiently as young people. That means as we age  our muscles gradually begin to make less protein so our muscle mass declines, otherwise called sarcopenia.

Isagenix: Based on your research, how does whey compare to other proteins like soy for building muscle?

Dr. Phillips: Soy is an excellent high quality protein as its PDCAAS (protein-digestibility corrected amino acid score) would suggest. In fact, if you use the PDCAAS scoring system the way it’s used now, then isolated soy is the ‘same’ as whey and casein. In reality, however, whey is a superior protein for repairing and gaining muscle, which is something we’ve shown in several studies now (1-4). In fact, milk proteins in general are better than soy for promoting lean mass, or muscle, gain (2; 3).

Isagenix: Why does the evidence suggest whey protein is superior to soy (or other proteins) in aging adults for promoting muscle gains or holding on to muscle?

Dr. Phillips: Our work, and that of other research groups also, suggests that it’s the high leucine content of whey protein, which is an amino acid highly stimulatory for muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth. That along with all of the other ‘essential’ (i.e., we need to eat them because we cannot make them ourselves) amino acids are present in just the right quantities to support an optimal rate of protein accretion.

Dr. Phillips discusses superiority of whey protein for muscle as we age.

Isagenix: How do higher doses of whey protein help overcome anabolic resistance in aging to slow/reverse sarcopenia?

Dr. Phillips: We’re not entirely sure, but we’re proposing that as people age their muscles become desensitized to the effects of the amino acid leucine. However, if you consume higher quantities of protein or you consume proteins higher in leucine like whey, then you ‘overcome’ (or at least minimize) the anabolic resistance of aging and slow sarcopenia. I’d never say you could reverse sarcopenia, but good food choices and good high-quality proteins, along with physical activity, are a big part of slowing it down.

Isagenix: Why is it important to distribute large doses of protein throughout the day?

Dr. Phillips: We’ve conducted two dose-response studies in young men after resistance exercise (5), and recently in older men with their muscles at rest and also following resistance exercise (6). The young men require 20 grams of protein to maximally stimulate new muscle protein addition to their muscles whereas the older men needed more protein, double the dose in fact, or 40 grams, to achieve a maximal stimulation. (Editor’s note: Recently, Maastricht University researchers found that 35 grams of whey protein also showed significant increases in muscle protein synthesis compared to 20 grams or 10 grams in older men. See article here.)

Thus, if we think about getting this maximal stimulation throughout the day, then what we want to have happen is that we should eat, if we’re young, 20 grams of protein per meal and 40 grams per meal if we’re older. Currently, North Americans consume protein in a very imbalanced fashion with about 6 grams coming at breakfast, 12 grams at lunch, and 60 grams at dinner; that’s not the best way to hang onto your muscle mass.

Isagenix: How does exercise play a role in helping overcome anabolic resistance? 

Dr. Phillips: Exercise brings back the sensitivity that is lost as we age. In a sense, exercise, for a short-time, ‘reverses’ aging. In fact, what it really does is reverse the effects of inactivity, but oftentimes aging and inactivity are one and the same. So even aged muscle, when exercised, becomes sensitive to leucine and other amino acids again.

Isagenix: What would you suggest to older people as a way for them to help hold on to muscle with age?

Dr. Phillips: 1) Exercise and get some form of physical activity every day; 2) Consume protein at levels higher than the current RDA; 3) Consume three equal protein-containing meals throughout the day with at least 20 to 40 grams of high-quality protein; 4) it should maybe go without saying, but fruits, vegetables, and dietary fiber are also important – I like the DASH [eating plan], for example, but with more protein.

References (as supplied by Dr. Phillips)

1. Burd NA, Yang Y, Moore DR, Tang JE, Tarnopolsky MA and Phillips SM. Greater stimulation of myofibrillar protein synthesis with ingestion of whey protein isolate v. micellar casein at rest and after resistance exercise in elderly men. Br J Nutr 1-5, 2012.

2. Hartman JW, Tang JE, Wilkinson SB, Tarnopolsky MA, Lawrence RL, Fullerton AV and Phillips SM. Consumption of fat-free fluid milk after resistance exercise promotes greater lean mass accretion than does consumption of soy or carbohydrate in young, novice, male weightlifters. Am J Clin Nutr 86: 373-381, 2007.

3. Josse AR, Tang JE, Tarnopolsky MA and Phillips SM. Body composition and strength changes in women with milk and resistance exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 42: 1122-1130, 2010.

4. Tang JE, Moore DR, Kujbida GW, Tarnopolsky MA and Phillips SM. Ingestion of whey hydrolysate, casein, or soy protein isolate: effects on mixed muscle protein synthesis at rest and following resistance exercise in young men. J Appl Physiol 107: 987-992, 2009.

5. Moore DR, Robinson MJ, Fry JL, Tang JE, Glover EI, Wilkinson SB, Prior T, Tarnopolsky MA and Phillips SM. Ingested protein dose response of muscle and albumin protein synthesis after resistance exercise in young men. Am J Clin Nutr 89: 161-168, 2009.

6. Yang Y, Breen L, Burd NA, Hector AJ, Churchward-Venne TA, Josse AR, Tarnopolsky MA and Phillips SM. Resistance exercise enhances myofibrillar protein synthesis with graded intakes of whey protein in older men. Br J Nutr 1-9, 2012.

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• Why IsaLean Pro is Best for Aging Muscles
• Whey’s Amino Acid Profile Best for Building Muscle in Older Men
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• Are You Losing Muscle As You Age?

Resveratrol may improve heart health, a new long-term study suggests.

Have you been taking your Ageless Actives for at least a year? Your heart should thank you, suggest researchers from Spain. They found that resveratrol improved cardiovascular health in what was perhaps the longest study in humans to date.

The study, published in The American Journal of Cardiology, randomized 75 people already taking statins for cardiovascular disease prevention and gave them one of the following for three months: a grape extract supplement containing 8 milligrams resveratrol, a grape extract supplement without resveratrol, or a placebo. After the initial six months, the doses in all groups were doubled.The study showed a significant 26 percent drop in C-reactive protein levels in the resveratrol group only, while the other two groups saw no change. C-reactive protein, a well-known marker for cardiovascular risk, wasn’t alone in its reduction. Additional markers such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) improved in the resveratrol group. In addition, the levels of the interleukin-10, a cardioprotective signaling protein, was increased by 20 percent. The researchers observed no significant differences in the two groups not taking resveratrol.

No stranger to publicity touting its health benefits, resveratrol is the bioactive compound in grapes and red wine that is a heavily studied phytochemical. It first rose to the attention of researchers because of its association with the ‘French Paradox,’ or the low occurrence of obesity and heart disease among the French despite a diet high in fat and a good deal of wine.

Previous studies performed on resveratrol have already established it as being beneficial for brain health, fat loss, and acting as a calorie-restriction mimetic in reducing the effects of aging (in higher doses than in this study). The results from this study round out the building evidence of the health effects of resveratrol and point to its heart-protective capabilities.

Want to make sure you get enough resveratrol for your heart? Drinking copious amounts of red wine is probably not a good solution, should your liver have anything to say about it. Ageless Actives is definitely the better choice, as it provides potent doses of naturally sourced resveratrol (250 mg), vitamin D (1000 IU) and patent-pending coenzyme Q10 (100 mg).

Reference: Tome-Carneiro J, Gonzalvez M, Larrosa M et al. One-Year Consumption of a Grape Nutraceutical Containing Resveratrol Improves the Inflammatory and Fibrinolytic Status of Patients in Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. Am J Cardiol 23 April 2012. doi: 10.1016.j.amjcard.2012.03.030

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More whey protein is better for aging muscles, research suggests.

You may have heard, Isagenix has just launched new IsaLean Pro. The complete meal replacement featuring 35 grams of protein per serving serves as a solution to power greater muscle growth in athletes, weekend warriors, or teens in sports. Research also suggests the extra whey could help people shed stubborn pounds including those from deadly visceral fat.

Now scientists report that these high doses of whey protein are ideal for helping older people to stave off muscle loss with age.

Maastricht University Medical Center scientists randomly assigned 33 elderly men (ages 71 to 75) to consume a single dose of 10, 20, or 35 grams of whey protein. They found that the individuals who consumed 35 grams of protein per meal significantly increased the rate of muscle protein synthesis compared to individuals consuming lower doses.

The study, published in the February issue of the American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology and Metabolism, reported that 35 grams of whey protein led to higher circulating levels of amino acids in the bloodstream compared to lower doses, which may explain the increased muscle protein synthesis from baseline.

Sarcopenia, or the degenerative loss of muscle, is thought to occur with age because of a blunted anabolic response and lower basal rate of muscle synthesis. The study suggests a diet higher in protein, especially from quality sources such as whey, may represent a viable way to stimulate muscle growth for slowing or preventing muscle loss in older adults. Eating more protein at breakfast and lunch may be especially beneficial since these meals are usually lower in protein as part of a typical American diet.

“Increasing the amount of protein at breakfast and/or lunch may represent an effective dietary strategy to…improve muscle mass preservation in older adults,” the researchers suggest.

The researchers were among only a few who have looked at the effects that different doses of whey have on the internal workings of muscle building—from the digestion and absorption of the protein to the stimulation of muscle protein synthesis.

Previously, the same research group found that whey protein stimulated more muscle protein synthesis in older men as compared to other protein sources because of its preferential ratio of amino acids for protein retention in muscles.

Reference: Pennings B et al. Amino acid absorption and subsequent muscle protein accretion following graded intakes of whey protein in elderly men. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2012;302:E992-E999. DOI: 10.​1152/​ajpendo.​00517.​2011

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Twelve minutes of meditation daily could help protect telomeres against effects of chronic stress, a new study suggests.

Want to manage stress, clear your mind, and enhance your mood? A few minutes of meditation a day could help and, new research finds, might help increase activity of an enzyme that keeps your body younger at the level of your DNA.

As anyone taking Isagenix Product B is aware, boosting expression of the enzyme telomerase in the body is critical for maintaining the length and integrity of telomeres. Telomeres, the length of which are considered a biomarker of biological aging, are special complexes that cap chromosomes to protect DNA.

Psychological stress not only affects our minds, but can have an impact on telomerase activity in the body leading to possible faster telomere shortening. Now, researchers from University of California, Los Angeles, have found that just 12 minutes a day of a particular style of yogic meditation, Kirtan Kriya, daily could help buffer against effects of psychological stress and support activity of the enzyme.

The study compared the effects of short practice of Kirtan Kriya-style meditation to quiet relaxation on individuals working as family caregivers of patients with dementia. The researchers then evaluated the psychological health and telomere length of the chronically stressed population.

The study randomized 39 family dementia caregivers, age 45 to 91, to two groups. Every day for eight weeks, the meditation group underwent a 12-minute Kirtan Kriya meditation, a practice following the philosophies of Kundalini yoga. The control group took a 12-minute relaxation period in a quiet place with instrumental music. The purpose, the authors explain, was to single out the benefits of a meditation practice from the benefits of relaxation alone.

The study found that about 65 percent of the meditation group had at least a 50 percent improvement in depressive symptoms. In addition, the meditation group also had a 43 percent increase in telomerase activity—a significant boost compared to the nearly 4 percent increase seen in the quiet relaxation group. When it came to mental health and cellular age, the groups were not different at baseline.

“Brief daily meditation practices by family dementia caregivers can lead to improved mental and cognitive functioning and lower levels of depressive symptoms,” the researchers wrote. “This improvement was accompanied by an increase in telomerase activity suggesting improvement in stress-induced cellular aging.”

More than just elevating mood, this current research may support quality of life and help reduce the burden of caregiving on health. The authors studied caregivers because these individuals are known to suffer from highly stressed, and highly distressed, lives. Nearly 50 percent of caregivers have been found to battle depression, and new research shows that these people have prematurely shortened telomeres. The link between emotional stress and physical health is poorly defined, but telomere length may represent a biomarker to study stress.

The authors report that they “found an improvement across measures of mental health and cognitive functioning, psychological distress, and telomerase activity in caregivers performing daily Kirtan Kriya compared with the relaxation group.”

They explain, “Because Kirtan Kriya had several elements of using chanting, mudras [hand alignments], and visualization, there was a ‘brain fitness’ effect in addition to stress-reduction that contributed to the overall effect of meditation.”

This study’s results add reason to consider meditation as part of a complete lifestyle for supporting telomere health, which should also include supplementation with Ageless Essentials Daily Pack with Product B, regular exercise, healthy sleep habits, limiting exposure to environmental toxins, and eating a diet rich in nutrient-dense foods.

Reference: Lavretsky H et al. A pilot study of yogic meditation for family dementia caregivers with depressive symptoms: effects on mental health, cognition, and telomerase activity. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2012. DOI: 10.1002/gps.3790

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