We’ve been searching for the Fountain of Youth in various herbs, foods, and elixirs for centuries. But aging is a condition that begins inside our cells. Now, researchers have found that you not only can slow down or accelerate aging, but you also can measure it. That means you can know whether or not your anti-aging program is working. There’s no more need to guess. Here’s how.

Inside each cell in your body is the secret to a long, healthy life. It’s a tiny substance that’s attached to the ends of chromosomes, and its length directly affects your health and longevity.

Chromosomes are thread-like substances inside each cell that carry your genetic material. At the end of each chromosome are “caps” called telomeres that prevent chromosomes from fraying. Your cells are constantly dividing, and telomeres break down and shorten every time they divide. What this means is that if you can slow down cell division, you can slow down the aging process and stay both younger and healthier longer.

Whenever a cell divides, its telomeres become a little shorter. Eventually, these telomeres can’t shorten anymore and they die. So the shorter your telomeres are, the faster you age.

But that’s not all.

Shorter telomeres not only affect aging, we also find them in degenerative diseases like cancer, heart disease, and dementia. And obesity. Telomeres are particularly susceptible to oxidative stress, which shortens their length
and increases aging. Fortunately, there are ways you can reduce the rate that telomeres can divide by adding genetic material to the ends of the DNA strands. This increases the number of times a cell can divide.

Until recently, there has been no way to test and monitor telomere length over time. No way to know whether or not a specific diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes are truly part of an anti-aging diet. Now there is. You can get the first commercially available telomere test in the country through SpectraCell Laboratories, a lab I have used for various tests over the past 20 years. I trust their results, research, and their tests.

Their Telomere Test is a blood test that measures the length of your telomeres compared with a control gene. This control gene is then compared to the telomere length and stated as a ratio. The higher the ratio, the longer your telomeres – and the younger your biological age. When you measure your telomere length periodically – like once a year – you can see how fast you are aging compared with a normal population.

You can have your doctor order the Telomere Test kit and have him or her explain the results to you, or you can order it directly on-line and interpret it yourself with the help of SpectraCell’s information. The cost through a doctor varies; the on-line price of the test is $290 plus any shipping charges and blood-draw fees.

This may seem expensive, but it can save you huge amounts of money if you’re taking supplements that aren’t giving you the results you’re looking for. Or if you’re missing one or more important nutrients. For ordering and other information, call SpectraCell Labs at 800-227-5227 or send them an email at [email protected].

Multivitamins

A study from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that telomeres in the cells of people who took daily vitamins and minerals were more than 5% longer than in non-users. This is a significant finding, since studies on vitamins historically use low-potency synthetic multivitamins.

More recent studies found that high quality, high potency, well-absorbed multivitamins help maintain telomere length. Some nutrients linked with longer telomeres include vitamins E, C, and resveratrol. You can find these in Advanced Bionutritionals Healthy Resolve and Advanced Resveratrol Formula (800-791-3395). Longer telomeres have also been found in people whose diets were high in vitamins C and E. This would include papaya, broccoli, oranges, sunflower seeds, and nuts.

Vitamin D

Research leader Professor Brent Richards found for the very first time that “people who have higher levels of vitamin D may age more slowly than people with lower levels of vitamin D.” There’s no way that anyone can get enough of this vitamin from being outdoors in the sun. Or by taking a multivitamin with just 400 IU of vitamin D.

The good news is that all brands of vitamin D3, the most bio-available form of this nutrient, are cheap and equally effective. I recommend taking 2,000 to 5,000 IU per day (I take 5,000 IU). It’s non-toxic and studies have found that people with just about all major illnesses are almost always low. Although the current recommended daily intake is a mere 400 IU, the Council for Responsible Nutrition recently concluded this could be safely raised to 10,000 IU per day. You can order a high quality 5,000 IU vitamin D3 by calling 800-791-3395.

Omega-3 fatty acids

A five-year study published in JAMA evaluated the telomere length of more than 600 outpatients with coronary heart disease who were in the Heart and Soul Study.

The patients who took the lowest amounts of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids had more than triple the rate (62%) in telomere length reduction than those with the highest intake. I recommend one gram (1,000 mg) twice a day of marine fish oil concentrate like ProThera’s EicosaMax (this is similar to Daily Omega that Advanced Bionutritionals sold ... call 888-488-2488 to order and tell them you subscribe to Dr. Nan Fuchs Women’s Health Letter).

Reducing oxidative stress

Not all oxidative stress is bad. Short-term oxidative stress can be beneficial by using the immune system to kill pathogens. In this way, some short-term stress may indicate a need for more antioxidants. Chronic oxidative stress may reduce the effectiveness and production of key protective antioxidants. Free radicals and oxidative stress are involved in many diseases and respond positively to antioxidant therapy.

Telomeres are particularly susceptible to oxidative stress. The trick is to reduce the amount of harmful oxidizing free radicals and stimulate the production of beneficial antioxidants without taking too much of any one antioxidant. I’ve said it before, and it’s worth repeating: Too many antioxidants — or an imbalance of antioxidants – can have a harmful pro-oxidant effect. The Telomere Test can help you avoid this common problem.

Reducing inflammation

One cause of increased oxidative stress is inflammation. An inflammatory diet, which shortens telomeres faster, includes refined carbohydrates like white flour, white sugar, and white rice. They should be avoided as much as possible. Fast foods and processed foods, along with sodas and artificial sweeteners, and both saturated and trans fats all shorten telomeres faster than a whole foods diet.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, June 2009.

Journal of the American Medical Association, January 20, 2010.

Preventing Heart Disease: Critical Information for All Women

Heart disease continues to be the number one cause of death for women, and yet it can often be prevented. But it’s not going to disappear on its own. You know that smoking, lack of exercise, and a junk food diet all contribute to heart disease. But now is the time to pay attention to risk factors you may have ignored in the past. You could save yourself from heart attacks and brain attacks (strokes) with a few simple lifestyle changes. Here are a few little-known ways to reduce your risk. They’re non-invasive, available, and inexpensive, and they can change your health.

How your legs predict your risk for a heart attack

Atherosclerosis is a buildup of plaque in the arteries in your heart that are made from fat, calcium, and cholesterol. We usually think of this plaque as being dangerous because as it narrows your arteries it limits the flow of blood to your heart.

But it’s not just clogged arteries in your heart that put you at risk for a heart attack. Clogged arteries in your legs do, as well. This condition, called PAD (peripheral arterial disease) is a vascular disease caused by a buildup of cholesterol and scar tissue. This plaque buildup can narrow your leg arteries and reduce blood flow there, resulting in pain, discomfort, and an inability to walk any distance. In fact, pain after walking short distances is a sign of PAD.

If your lower legs or feet tend to be cold or numb and tingling, or if your legs hurt after a short walk, this could be a sign of the beginnings of PAD. Fortunately, there’s a test that can confirm PAD or rule it out. A doctor can compare the blood pressure in your ankles with the blood pressure in your arms to see whether or not you have PAD. This non-invasive test, often covered by Medicare and other insurance companies, is called the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI). Its cost ranges from $100 to $150.

You can ask your doctor to perform this test, or you can treat it with a single supplement if you think you have this condition. I’ve found a Tibetan herbal formula known throughout Europe for its ability to reverse PAD. It also increases circulation throughout the body, so whether or not you have PAD, it could help reduce your risk for heart disease. This supplement is Padma Basic.

Pain and fatigue caused by clogged arteries in the legs is called intermittent claudication. It’s caused by atherosclerosis and inflammation. A review in the journal Atherosclerosis looked at half a dozen studies and concluded that Padma Basic is both safe and effective in reducing this condition. You can get more information on it from a small book I wrote on the subject. Order it or the supplement directly through Advanced Bionutritionals (800-791-3395). I have seen it work time and again for PAD. Remember: PAD increases your risk for heart disease, so don’t ignore leg pain.

How heartburn can lead to arrhythmias and heart disease

Magnesium is often the first nutrient given to patients in emergency rooms who have had a heart attack because it relaxes all muscles – including the heart. In fact, it’s well known that heart attacks and arrhythmias can be caused by low magnesium. And now there’s evidence that antacids m ay contribute to this condition.

In a study published in the International Journal of General Medicine, following more than 600 patients with chest pain and heart attacks, researchers found “a significant association between the PPI (antacid) use, magnesium levels, and the occurrence of cardiovascular events.” They recommend that patients using antacids regularly be monitored for a magnesium deficiency.

This is easier said than done. Only an RBC (red blood cell) magnesium test – which is an expensive blood test that’s not routinely performed – accurately measures magnesium levels. Rather than getting this blood test, it is much simpler and less expensive to take an oral magnesium supplement. Low magnesium levels are common in such conditions as muscle cramps, heart disease, and restless leg syndrome.

I suggest taking magnesium citrate or magnesium amino acid chelate, which you can find in any health food store or on the internet. They are less likely to cause loose stools than the cheaper magnesium oxide. Take magnesium to bowel tolerance – comfortably soft stools. Usually this will be 100-800 mg per day.

Atherosclerosis, 2006.

International Journal of General Medicine, June 2013.

This Tiny Molecule May Make the Difference Between Good and Poor Digestion

I’ve talked about this chemical messenger and its role in heart disease and
circulation before. It’s a nutrient that’s key in lowering blood pressure and protecting against other risk factors for heart disease. But it also plays an important role in healthy digestion that few people know about. And unfortunately, as we grow older we get less of it just when we need more.

There’s been an emphasis on this nutrient and heart disease ever since scientists received the Nobel Prize for discovering in 1998 that it’s a signaling molecule made in the lining of the arteries. Its signaling properties mean it can communicate with chemicals in other cells. Few people realize how valuable this tiny molecule is. But it is present in every single cell in your body. And it has literally hundreds of different functions.

I’ve always maintained that you are not what you eat. Rather, you are what you eat, digest, and absorb. This molecule supports the function of a number of aspects of digestion that include absorption. It makes no sense to break down food into miniscule particles if you can’t absorb them into your tissues.
You need all of the cells in your body working together properly. If you’re over the age of 40, you’re not getting enough of this nutrient.

Just what is this miracle molecule? It’s none other than nitric oxide (NO), a chemical made in your mouth and your intestines with the help of beneficial
bacteria.

Nitric oxide isn’t laughing gas. That’s nitrous oxide. And it doesn’t pollute the air either. That’s nitrogen dioxide. NO is a gas molecule that sends signals to every cell and tissue in your body. Good communication means good function.
Here are some of the ways NO supports good digestion:

Peristalsis: A sluggish colon spells constipation, and NO is a part of the
mechanism that helps move food through the intestines. You need NO to tonify the muscles and tissues in your colon. If you’re constipated, you may need more NO.

If your stools are hard and dry, you may need more water and mucous in your intestines. Sufficient water helps increase the absorption of nutrients, and mucous helps protect your intestinal lining. Once again, NO may be all or part of the answer.

In order for you to digest fats, your gallbladder needs to empty the bile it produces into the intestines. NO is an important part of this process. Every system in your body that you can think of needs good circulation. NO increases circulation and regulates blood flow to your stomach and intestines.

It also helps protect your intestinal mucosa and keep it healthy. The walls of your intestines are meant to keep the contents of your digestive tract inside that long tube that begins in your mouth and ends in your colon. Healthy intestinal mucosa plays a vital role in absorbing nutrients and regulating the flow of digested materials into your bloodstream. NO provides a barrier that keeps the contents of your intestines where they belong – inside your intestines.

Because it works behind the scenes in small ways, it’s easy to overlook its importance. This is unfortunate, because just about everyone over 40 needs more NO than their bodies can make. And few people take supplemental NO. This could be a big mistake. Your digestive problems could simply be the result of insufficient NO.

Getting enough NO

I’ve explained in other articles on this subject how several amino acids, L-arginine and L-citriline, activate the production of NO in the lining of blood vessels. But the amount of NO made by foods – leafy greens, beets, and watermelon – is not enough to replete the low levels caused by aging.

My recommendation is to take a supplement that restores and generates NO in your body. I like CircO2 (800-791-3395), formerly called Neo40. It’s a lozenge. This is important, because when you suck on it, it comes into contact with your saliva and bacteria, which increases its effectiveness. Studies show that CircO2
is superior in effectiveness to other NO supplements. L-arginine is effective, but studies have revealed it has some safety issues and doesn’t work for many people over 40.

An added bonus for CircO2 is that it comes with test strips, so you can see within seconds whether or not you need it. I’m not a betting person, but I’ll bet you do.

NUTRITION DETECTIVE

Here’s How to Cut Your Risk of Dying From Breast Cancer by 50%

Did you know there’s a blood test that could save your life if you ever get breast cancer? The good news is there is such a test. But there’s just one trick. You have to take the test and take this one nutrient BEFORE you are diagnosed.

That blood test is for vitamin D. Yes, it is that simple. Your vitamin D levels can predict whether or not you’re likely to die from breast cancer. But if you haven’t been taking supplemental D prior to your diagnosis, you may have waited too long.

A study published in the journal Anticancer Research found that you need sufficient D at the time you’re diagnosed to experience the protective benefits. Taking it afterward isn’t enough.

This study analyzed five other studies of vitamin D serum concentrations obtained with a breast cancer diagnosis. The study examined 4,443 women over an average time of nine years. The researchers divided the women into quintiles based on vitamin D serum concentrations. Those in the highest quintile, who had an average of 30 ng/mL, were half as likely to die from breast cancer compared to those in the lowest group, whose average was only 17 ng/mL.

Researchers believe vitamin D increases your chance of survival because it turns on a protein that helps prevent aggressive cell division. If tumor cells have vitamin D receptors — which they typically do until a tumor is advanced — vitamin D will help keep the tumor from growing and expanding its blood supply.

Of course, if you can keep a tumor from growing, it’s a lot less likely to be fatal.
Unfortunately, breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world for women. In 2012, half a million died from the disease. In the U.S. alone in 2013, there were 40,000 deaths from breast cancer. Start protecting yourself now!

While the study didn’t address whether or not supplementing with vitamin D was beneficial after diagnoses, it’s easy to understand why you need high vitamin D levels before you develop a tumor. Since the vitamin D keeps the tumor from spreading, you want to have high levels from day one.

Other research suggests that the levels in this study were too low. It’s essential to get your serum levels into the normal range of 50-74 ng/mL before it’s too late. This is why I suggest you take 5,000 IU of vitamin D every day. While this amount may seem too high, it’s not. I’ll tell you how much is too much in an article I’m researching that will explain all this and more. You won’t want to miss this one! Look for it this summer.

Source: Anticancer Research, March 2014.

LETTERS

Q: I have ordered Système 41 and really love it. One of the reasons I chose the kit was because it said gluten free and I have been recently diagnosed with celiac disease. I was reading the ingredients for the eye treatment and one of the ingredients is barley extract. I was wondering how this is gluten-free, since barley is one of the grains I need to avoid. — L.B., e-mail

A: The answer is simple: Grains containing gluten like wheat, rye, and barley are made up of molecules that are too large to penetrate the skin or eyes. In addition, the processing of ingredients has removed any proteins. Since gluten is a protein, there is no active absorbable gluten in Système 41 products. It was present only in its raw, unprocessed material. So the eye treatment in Système 41 is safe for you to use.

Think about this. There are chefs and bakers with celiac disease or gluten intolerance who touch wheat flour and other grains every day without any reaction to gluten. And you know that at least some of them rub their eyes and touch their face.

A number of skin and hair care products contain extracts from gluten because of their positive effect on the surface of the skin or scalp.

By the way, I am gluten-intolerant and had the same question as you. Why, then, include barley extract in one of Système 41’s products? Because when it’s combined with the other ingredients in that formula, it increases its effectiveness. And Système 41 is highly effective, as you’ve already seen. And it’s apparent you haven’t had any reaction to the eye treatment.

Q: I’ve heard that one risk for Parkinson’s disease is exposure to pesticides and fungicides. I don’t use them in my vegetable garden or on my lawn any more. But how bad can it be to eat foods that aren’t organic? The amount of toxins on foods can’t be all that much. – R.W., Tacoma, WA

A: I wish I could say that the amount of pesticides on the foods we eat won’t hurt us, but I can’t in light of some new research. A study in the journal Neurology found an association between 11 pesticides and fungicides and Parkinson’s. And they found that in people with a particular genetic predisposition, these toxins increased the risk for Parkinson’s at concentrations that were greatly below the amount needed for the pesticides to work.

What they discovered was that pesticides and fungicides blocked an enzyme, ALDH, which can play a part in the development of Parkinson’s. People with this gene were two to six times more likely to get the disease if they were exposed to pesticides. Those who were not exposed to these toxins were not at an increased risk.

Eating organic foods whenever possible is important for several reasons. First, there’s no simple test available at this time to see whether or not you have this enzyme-blocking gene. And second, these pesticides are everywhere: on our foods, in our public parks and golf courses, and sprayed inside and outside many of our homes. Low level exposure to these toxins was enough to make them dangerous.

Something else you can do is to take PectaSol Detox Formula (800-791-3395) daily. It contains alginates from seaweed and modified citrus pectin. They bind to contaminants, including pesticides, and carry them out of the body safely.