At this time, I think there the two supplements that have the most potential to reverse aspects of the aging process are mitochondrial antioxidants like SKQ1, and telomerase inducers. SKQ1 is a pharmaceutical, so there is little chance of obtaining it as a supplement. However, it has been revealed that many GRAS substances have telomerase inducers. This offers the opportunity to identify these telomerase inducers, test them, and make them available as OTC supplements
The frustrating thing I see, is that there is very little clear information about GRAS telomerase inducers. For example, Sierra Sciences claims to have identified many of them, but are providing very little information. Product B claims to utilize telomerase inducers, but the makers of it do not list which ingredients are supposed to induce telomerase, any details about testing of those ingredients, no speculation about absorption, etc. RevGenetics also seems to be a bit secretive about their information. For example, they chose not to reveal test information, and write a paper about it instead.
Do these companies have a need for secrecy? Probably. However, the secrecy is hindering the development of telomerase inducing substances.
Something needs to be done. There is more and more information indicating that telomere shortening has a significant impact on aging. If we can determine which GRAS substances induce telomerase we can then try to extract the substances in them that induce telomerase. We could end up with a supplement that strongly induces telomerase. I really think that if we could find a substance that could strongly induce telomerase, it could buy us another 20 - 30 years of lifespan.
So my question is, "What can we do about this?"
1) Should we try to organize some kind of open source telomerase inducing database of GRAS substances?
2) Should we try to fund our own testing of GRAS substances?
3) Is there anyway we can convince companies like Sierra Sciences, GERON, and RevGenetics to share information with us?
4) Did anyone hear Bill Andrew's presentation at SENS. A video has not yet been posted.
5) How much does it cost to test compounds for telomerase induction ability? It seems to me that a crude way of going about it would be to take cultured cells, add the substance to be tested, and see if the substance allows for more cell doublings.
I'm just fed up with the fact it is difficult to get information about GRAS telomerase inducers. I realize there is a need for confidentiality, but at the same time I think sharing information would accelerate the research.
Right now, I have a 89 year old grandmother who is rapidly aging. I would like to get some solid information, so I could know what telomerase inducer might help her the most. If we can get a telomerase inducer that can actually rapidly add telomeric repeats on the market in the next couple of years, it could save her life and many others!