Healthy Lifestyle Changes Increase Anti-Aging Enzyme Level
Posted on: Tuesday, 16 September 2008, 13:02 CDT
A new study showed that a healthy lifestyle, including better diet and more exercise, can increase levels of an enzyme connected to controlling the aging process.
Researchers studied 30 men with low-risk prostate cancer. The men underwent three months of lifestyle changes and scientists noted a 29 percent increase in blood levels of telomerase.
Telomerase fixes and lengthens parts of chromosomes known as telomeres that control longevity and are also important for maintenance of immune-system cells.
Changes in diet included more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and soy products. The men also exercised by walking for half an hour a day and underwent an hour of daily stress management methods.
Dr. Dean Ornish, head of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, Calif. led the study published in the journal Lancet Oncology.
"This is the first study showing that anything can increase telomerase. If it were a new drug that had been shown to do this, it would be a billion-dollar drug. But this is something that people can do for free," Ornish said.
Shortening of telomeres is seen as an indicator of disease risk and premature death in some types of cancer, including breast, prostate, colon and lung cancer.
Previously published findings from the same group of men showed they experienced dramatic changes at the genetic level.
As expected, they lost weight, lowered their blood pressure and saw other health improvements.
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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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