September 2021 Longevity Review

Posted by Chris Pollyanna , 06 October 2021 · 2,148 views

supplements stem cells reprogramming nmn nad resveratrol

Can you keep a secret? I almost don’t want to say anything in case I jinx it, but September has brought some unexpected good news for the creation of a Canadian longevity non-profit. I was approached by the Aging Analytics Agency to partner up in creating just such an organisation. I hope to share in full the details next month - cross your fingers! In the meantime, I’m helping them put the finishing touches to a report on the longevity industry in Canada, which I will also share with you next month.

Apart from the above, I’ve also finished updating Lifespan.io’s existing Rejuvenation Roadmap and am now in the process of adding new companies and potential treatments. It is the best source on the web for up to date information about biotech’s advancement of longevity. And, to top it off, there might be some interesting developments with Lifespan.io as well...

After a lull over the summer, it feels like someone has dropped a concrete block onto my accelerator - not that I’m complaining!

Follow me on Twitter @ChrisPollyanna1 for the latest updates.

For previous updates, you can find them in the Canadian Longevity Association Facebook group, and also my Patreon account, which includes bonus material for supporters.

Finally, if you are interested in helping me create a Canadian longevity non-profit, then please contact me via the Canadian Longevity Association website.
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September Round-Up:

Here is yet more proof that eating well and exercising are good for you (duh!). In this study, epigenetic ageing was slowed down in healthy post-menopausal women who improved their diet and increased their exercise.
*Activity and Diet Shown to Slow Aging (Again) Full Text

The heart, which normally can not regenerate after a heart attack, was in this mouse study shown to be able to when subjected to reprogramming. The fact that this was achieved in non-dividing heart cells might indicate that it is possible in all cell types.
In step forward for rejuvenation field, researchers turn back the clock on mice hearts Abstract

Unlike the previous study, which used reprogramming, here researchers used overexpression of the transcription factor NANOG to reduce the hallmarks of cellular ageing including mitochondrial dysfunction and genomic instability.
Boosting NANOG to Revitalize Muscle Cell Progenitors Full Text

This is an exciting example of stem cell engineering using CRISPR, whereby the implanted cells release a drug to combat inflammation when needed. The potential for this is vast.
Engineering Anti-Inflammatory Cells to Fight Arthritis Full Text

I’ve been sceptical (& still am!) about the “hype” over hyperbaric oxygen therapy, however the studies have continued to come out this year, so perhaps there is something to it?
*Hyperbaric oxygen therapy alleviates vascular dysfunction and amyloid burden in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model and in elderly patients Full Text

Covid-19 Longevity Related Papers:
*Eating a plant rich diet reduces risk of developing COVID-19 Full Text
*Melatonin as an Add-On Treatment of COVID-19 Infection: Current Status Full Text
*Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Proof-of-concept Trial of Resveratrol for Outpatient Treatment of Mild Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Full Text

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Podcast to listen to:

Here’s a new longevity podcast from the CBC. Only two episodes have been released so far, but could be worth following.
Unlocking The Fountain

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2021 Supplemental Information

***Disclaimer 1 – As should be self-evident to anyone receiving these emails, I am NOT a doctor or indeed a scientist. All the information pertained within is for information purposes only; use at your own risk. Please consult with a healthcare practitioner if needing medical advice.***

**Disclaimer 2 – In no way should supplements be a replacement for an unhealthy diet or lifestyle. A varied, plant dominant dietary pattern is the cornerstone for health. Try to eat the rainbow – the greater the variety, the greater the benefit. Even though I might take a supplement derived from a plant source, I still eat the plant in question. Also, make sure you move as much as possible – that is what we evolved to do.**

*Also bear in mind that most of the studies mentioned below are in rodents, not humans. Rodents, needless to say, do not always react the same way to drugs as humans do – witness the countless times cancer or another disease has been cured in rodents only to subsequently fail human trials. I have *bolded any human trials.*
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Lifestyle
*Healthy changes in diet, activity improved treatment-resistant high blood pressure Full Text
*Consuming fruit and vegetables and exercising can make you happier Full Text

Fasting/Dietary Restriction – certainly the cheapest & also one of the most effective anti-ageing interventions currently available. It comes in many flavours, but I fast for at least 12 hours every day.
*Intermittent fasting can help manage metabolic disease Abstract
Intermittent fasting makes fruit flies live longer — will it work for people? Abstract
*Intermittent and Periodic Fasting, Hormones, and Cancer Prevention Full Text
Calorie intake rather than food quantity consumed is the key factor for the anti-aging effect of calorie restriction Full Text

Diet – let food be thy medicine…
*Association of Walnut Consumption with Total and Cause-Specific Mortality and Life Expectancy in U.S. Adults Full Text
*MIND diet linked to better cognitive performance Full Text
*The carbohydrate-insulin model: a physiological perspective on the obesity pandemic Full Text

Exercise – if you could bottle the benefits of exercise, it would be the biggest blockbuster drug of all time.
*Steps every day could lead to longer life Full Text
*Researchers observed association between standing and insulin sensitivity – standing more may help prevent chronic diseases Full Text
*One-Year Committed Exercise Training Reverses Abnormal Left Ventricular Myocardial Stiffness in Patients With Stage B Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Full Text

Non-prescription Supplements (in alphabetical order)
*Due to concerns about engendering homeostasis, I’ve begun varying my intake of supplements so that I’m not taking all of them every day. Haven’t worked out a rota so far.

Astaxanthin – which is behind the pink colour of salmon & shrimp. Considered the most powerful carotenoid, it has anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuro-protective and skin-protective qualities. I take 4 or 8 mg intermittently.
Astaxanthin Delivery Systems for Skin Application: A Review Full Text
Assessing the Potential of Nutraceuticals as Geroprotectors on Muscle Performance and Cognition in Aging Mice Full Text
Microbial Composition and Co-occurrence Patterns in the Gut Microbial Community of Normal and Obese Mice in Response to Astaxanthin Full Text

Curcumin – the spice which gives curries their yellow colour. Anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective. I take 1 gram intermittently. Needs to be taken with black pepper (piperine) to improve bioavailability.
*The efficacy of high- and low-dose curcumin in knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis Full Text
*Potential Health Benefits of Curcumin on Female Reproductive Disorders: A Review Full Text
*Effect of curcumin on C-reactive protein as a biomarker of systemic inflammation: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials