Category Archives: Anti-Aging Innovations

Reversing Age-Related Impairment and Immunity

July 31, 2020

While the average life-expectancy for humans continues to increase, a longer life span has been tied to an uptick in age-related disease and impairment across the globe. As a result of a declining immune system, the growing elderly population is more prone to infectious diseases – including influenza and COVID-19. Additionally, this group is commonly affected by age-related frailty, which has a significant negative impact on quality of life. The high level of care and involvement required to maintain the health of these patients has the potential to bear a growing burden on the healthcare system which is part of the reason underlying research efforts in the field of human longevity.

The current body of knowledge suggests the role of chronic low-grade inflammation in the biological aging process and development of age-related diseases; scientific evidence implicates that the presence of inflammation in the body accelerates aging. Hoping to uncover more information about additional factors that may contribute to an accelerated process and potential methods of reversing them, a team of researchers from the Department for BioMedical Research at the University of Bern conducted a study with findings published in Nature Metabolism.

Age-Related Frailty and Immunity

Under Bernese guidance, Dr. Mario Noti and Dr. Alexander Eggel aimed to identify new approaches to improving health-span in an ever-increasing aging population by focusing on adipose tissue eosinophils (ATEs) present in humans and mice. These immune cells found in visceral adipose tissue, otherwise known as belly fat, play an essential role in regulating inflammation and could be used to reverse aging processes; these cells are important in the control of obesity-related inflammation and metabolic disease as they are responsible for maintaining local immune homeostasis. Increasing age is tied to a decrease in eosinophils in adipose tissue and an increase in pro-inflammatory macrophages – turning belly fat into a source of pro-inflammatory activity.

Role of Eosinophils in Chronic Inflammation

The study’s authors demonstrated that visceral adipose tissue contributed to the development of chronic low-grade inflammation. They found that ATEs undergo major age-related changes in distribution and function associated with impaired adipose tissue homeostasis and systemic low-grade inflammation in human subjects as well as mice. However, exposure to a young systemic environment  was able to partially restore ATE distribution in aged subjects by reducing adipose tissue inflammation.

“In different experimental approaches, we were able to show that transfers of eosinophils from young mice into aged recipients resolved not only local but also systemic low-grade inflammation,” the researchers told ScienceDaily. ”In these experiments, we observed that transferred eosinophils were selectively homing into adipose tissue.”

Using an adoptive transfer or eosinophils from young mice to aged subjects, researchers were able to restore ATE distribution and sufficiently mitigate age-related local and systemic low-grade inflammation. As a result of the transfer, youthful systemic environments were restored and systemic rejuvenation took place in aged mice. Changes were both physical – assessed by endurance and grip strength tests – and immune-related – manifested in improved vaccination responses.

Dr. Noti and Dr. Eggel’s findings support the critical function of adipose tissue as a source contributing to accelerated aging and uncover the new role of eosinophils in sustaining adipose tissue homeostasis and thus, promoting healthy aging.

Because the age-related changes in adipose immune cell distribution were confirmed in human subjects, the latest study may have significant positive implications for the anti-aging medicine field when translated into clinical practice. Age-related frailty and immune decline may be halted and potentially even reversed as a result of this novel cell-based therapeutic approach.

“Our results indicate that the biological processes of aging and the associated functional impairments are more plastic than previously assumed,” Dr. Noti stated. “A future direction of our research will be to now leverage the gained knowledge for the establishment of targeted therapeutic approaches to promote and sustain healthy aging in humans,” his research partner Dr. Eggel concluded.

 

Natural Compound Promotes Healthy Aging

July 23, 2020

The seven human sirtuins (SIRT 1-7), or NAD-dependent deacetylases, have been strongly correlated with human longevity due to their connection with metabolic function, aging, and the development of age-related diseases. In recent years, the protein SIRT1 has received the most attention due to its influence on gene regulation, genomic stability, and energy metabolism, garnering interest among the scientific community as a potentially viable pharmacologic therapy for the prevention of several health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancer, as well as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.

Several compounds have been found to impact the activation of sirtuins, including resveratrol which can be found in red wine, peanuts, pistachios, certain fruits, and cocoa. In small amounts, resveratrol may be able to replicate the health benefits of the steroid hormone estrogen, known for regulating reproduction, protecting against certain age-related diseases such as metabolic syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease.

A new study conducted in the United Kingdom aimed to uncover the mechanisms underlying resveratrol’s health benefits, its association with sirtuin proteins, and its ability to protect against age-related diseases; the latest findings were published in Scientific Reports.

Resveratrol and Healthy Aging

Small amounts of resveratrol – commonly found in red wine, berries, and chocolate – may be able to replicate the beneficial effects of estrogen in preventing metabolic diseases and cognitive decline. Larger amounts, on the other hand, may have the opposite effect, according to the study’s authors.

By activating estrogen receptors, the compound in turn activates sirtuin proteins to exert its physiological effects. Sirtuin proteins play a significant role in the healthy aging process as they control mitochondrial biogenesis, promote DNA repair, and help regulate metabolic function. They are believed to protect the body against several age-related diseases and are thought to have excellent potential drug targets according to the scientific community; however, clinical applications of the proteins remain unclear. Even still, there remains a lack of understanding of how sirtuin signaling translates to increased healthspan in human beings.

Studying Sirtuin-Activating Compounds

Led by Dr. Henry Bayele, molecular biologist at the University College London, researchers conducted an in vitro study of human liver cells which exposed them to a variety of dietary compounds aimed at activating sirtuin proteins. Collectively known as dietary sirtuin-activating compounds (dSTACs),  resveratrol and isoflavones, such as daidzein, are natural activators in comparison with other synthetic compounds developed to spur sirtuin signaling. Researchers found that at low doses, resveratrol increased sirtuin signaling in cells by mimicking estrogen although, at high doses it actively reduced signaling.

“Numerous studies in animals have suggested that these proteins could prolong healthy lifespan by preventing or slowing disease onset,” Dr. Bayele told Medical News Today. “But developing effective drugs or dietary interventions has been frustrated by a lack of a common understanding of how exactly they work in the body’s cells.”

The study’s findings support the notion that small amounts of red wine can promote healthy aging as can other dietary components; Dr. Bayele reported that the compound present in licorice, isoliquiritigenin, is even more effective at activating sirtuins. His research supports the claim that dSTACs can be viewed as “plant estrogens”, benefiting human health by performing functions that estrogen would typically be responsible for.

Implications for Anti-Aging

Emerging evidence supportive of resveratrol’s benefits could lead to the development of alternatives to hormone replacement therapy – which can increase the risk of cardiometabolic disease – for menopause patients. However, further clinical studies are required to confirm whether individuals using dSTACs as estrogen substitutes to promote healthy aging display positive results.

“Regular low doses of resveratrol, such as through moderate consumption of red wine as part of a healthy diet, may be able to provide the benefits of estrogen,” Dr. Bayele explained. “This would apply to both men and women of all ages, but postmenopausal women may feel these benefits the most because they have lower estrogen reserves than men of a similar age.”

Dr. Bayele and his colleagues caution that the effects of dSTACs on cells in vitro found in their study may not reflect their effects in human subjects. For instance, the body may digest resveratrol compounds in the gut or metabolize them in the intestinal microbiota. If they do survive digestion intact, the absorption of the compounds into the bloodstream may be poor or the liver may break them down during digestion. Hence why additional study is needed to develop novel strategies for effectively delivering resveratrol for maximum benefit.

The Biggest Wellness Trends of 2020

March 18, 2020

Last year, the rise of cannabidiol (CBD), intermittent fasting, meditation, and many other health and wellness trends dominated the $4 trillion global wellness industry. As this segment of the market continues to grow rapidly, technologic advances, emerging clinical findings, and shifting priorities are likely to influence burgeoning wellness trends for the coming year. Recently, experts from across the world gathered to forecast the biggest health trends that will take over the global wellness industry in 2020 as part of the Global Wellness Summit (GWS).

Alongside a focus on fixing disrupted circadian rhythms and mental health-promoting devices, the most significant projected trends for the forthcoming year are outlined below:

Circadian Health Optimization

According to one of the world’s leading experts on circadian health and associate professor of medicine at Harvard University Dr. Steven Lockley: “The absolute key to healthy sleep and circadian rhythms is stable, regularly-timed daily light and dark exposure—our natural daily time cues.”

Today, humans have incredibly disrupted circadian rhythms as a result of increased screen time and travel, rising stress levels, and a 24/7 culture. Current research suggests that circadian rhythms influence a variety of bodily functions ranging from hormonal fluctuations to body temperature regulation. Most importantly, they can significantly influence sleep patterns, impacting productivity and health.

As part of the solution, the concept of circadian rhythm optimization centers around adjusting the daily schedule, dietary patterns, and environmental cues to sync up with the body’s internal clock. Experts at the Global Wellness Summit predict an increased amount of people shifting their work schedules in accordance with their chronotypes, which The Sleep Foundation describes as the natural pattern by which people sleep and wake best, in an effort to optimize performance and productivity.

“Given that most of our body systems express circadian rhythms, ensuring proper alignment of our internal circadian clocks,” Dr. Lockley further explains, “starting with the management of lighting, will have major impacts on human health.”

Mental Health Technology 

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that over 42% of 46.6 million adults with mental illness in the United States received mental health treatment in 2017. In addition, the growing patient base of Millennials is more likely to address mental health concerns than previous generations, with about 70% saying they feel comfortable seeking help. Wellness technology companies have begun to capitalize on this increased acceptance and technological advancements by developing digital therapeutic products and services.

Tech-savvy individuals are increasingly using virtual therapy apps – such as TalkSpace and BetterHelp – and digital support groups to combat modern-day issues including burnout, loneliness, depression, and anxiety. The behavioral health software market is now projected to reach $2.31 billion by 2022 and as we shift toward a more holistic approach to wellbeing, will likely continue growing.

As part of this rising trend, mental wellness wearables are growing in popularity with the introduction of meditation headsets that measure heart and breathing rates and wearable biosensors that monitor physiological signals throughout the day. These devices aim to improve stress levels, sleep patterns, and daily habits based on biologic metrics directly obtained throughout the day. For example, Sentio Solutions recently announced a new product, Feel, which is an emotion-sensing wristband with integrated biosensors which measure users’ physiological signals. Paired with an accompanying cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) app, it aims to help those suffering from anxiety and depression by offering on-demand support.

However, many of these technologies are still in the early stages of clinical trials and require further investigation before they can be released.

Japanese Wellness 

In 2017, Japan had the largest per capita ratio of centenarians in the world with 67,824 people aged 100 and above. The country is known for the longevity of its population, with up to 50% of Japanese citizens born in 2007 expected to reach the age of 107. Japanese culture promotes ways to ensure long, fulfilled lives with a growing emphasis on a sense of community and work-life balance. As a result, the world is turning to Japan for longevity tips leading to the popularization of “J-wellness”, or Japanese-inspired wellness.

The practice prioritizes connecting to nature, including forest bathing which can have a beneficial effect on both mental and physical health by reducing blood pressure, stress hormones, anxiety, and depression levels. In addition, Japanese government officials emphasize social community wellness through policy measures and innovations tailored to aging societies. This includes neighborhood facilities designed for generational mingling and stress assessment programs conducted to improve work-life balance and emotional wellbeing.

Fertility Healthcare

The growing de-stigmatization of infertility and reproductive health has opened the dialogue and increased awareness of these prevalent issues, encouraging more companies to offer fertility treatments – such as in-vitro fertilization and egg freezing- as benefits to their employees. Fertility healthcare is projected to rise to the top of wellness trends to support the 12 out of 100 couples in the United State struggling to become pregnant, per data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Current fertility benefits do not cover all procedures and reproductive assistance technologies tend to be expensive with a single round of IVF averaging above $20,000. According to the GWS report, fertility clinics are forecasted to democratize and simplify access to care, alongside innovative fertility-focused wearable technology and smartphone apps that help educate individuals and monitor important fertility metrics. Furthermore, a growing number of fertility start-ups such as KindBody, which received $10 million in investor funding last year, are beginning to infiltrate the space. Current data indicate that the femtech sector could reach a market size of $50 billion within the next five years.

Continuous research initiatives and emerging technological advancements are spurring the global wellness industry at a 12.8% compound annual growth rate. In 2020, the wellness economy will be more accessible to the average consumer than ever before, making the above trends increasingly relevant in the practice setting. Physicians should be equipped with the latest clinical knowledge to better educate patients on the potential risks and benefits of these emerging solutions and ensure their health and safety.