Three Years Younger in Just Eight Weeks? A Groundbreaking New Study Suggests Yes.

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A groundbreaking clinical trial shows we can reduce biological age (as measured by the Horvath 2013 DNAmAge clock) by more than three years in only eight weeks with diet and lifestyle through balancing DNA methylation.

A first-of-its-kind, peer-reviewed study provides scientific evidence that lifestyle and diet changes can deliver immediate and rapid reduction of our biological age. Since aging is the primary driver of chronic disease, this reduction has the power to help us live better, longer.

The study, released on April 12, utilized a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted among 43 healthy adult males between the ages of 50-72.

The 8-week treatment program included diet, sleep, exercise and relaxation guidance, and supplemental probiotics and phytonutrients, resulting in a statistically significant reduction of biological age – over three years younger, compared to controls.

The study was independently conducted by the Helfgott Research Institute, with laboratory assistance from Yale University Center for Genome Analysis, and the results independently analyzed at McGill University and the National University of Natural Medicine.

The study’s lead author, Kara Fitzgerald ND IFMCP, stated that “the combined intervention program was designed to target a specific biological mechanism called DNA methylation, and in particular the DNA methylation patterns that have been identified as highly predictive of biological age. We suspect that this focus was the reason for its remarkable impact. These early results appear to be consistent with, and greatly extend, the very few existing studies that have so far examined the potential for biological age reversal.”

“And it is unique in its use of a safe, non-pharmaceutical dietary and lifestyle program, control group, and the extent of the age reduction. We are currently enrolling participants for a larger study which we expect will corroborate these findings.”

Leading epigeneticist Moshe Szyf PhD of McGill University and co-author on the study adds, “The uniqueness of Dr Fitzgerald approach is that her trial devised a natural but mechanistic driven strategy to target the methylation system of our body.”

“This study provides the first insight into the possibility of using natural alterations to target epigenetic processes and improve our well being and perhaps even longevity and lifespan.”

DNA methylation patterns have become a leading means by which scientists evaluate and track biological aging, a term used to describe the accumulation of damage and loss of function to our cells, tissues and organs. This damage is what drives diseases of aging. “What is extremely exciting,” commented Dr. Fitzgerald, “is that food and lifestyle practices, including specific nutrients and food compounds known to selectively alter DNA methylation, are able to have such an impact on those DNA methylation patterns we know predict aging and age-related disease. I believe that this, together with new possibilities for us all to measure and track our DNA methylation age, will provide significant new opportunities for both scientists and consumers.”

Table 2. Summary of dietary and lifestyle interventions*

Intervention category Details
Dietary Prescription Guidance per week:

3 servings of liver
•(1 serving = 3 oz)
•Preferably organic
5-10 eggs
•Ideally free-range, organic, omega-3 enriched

Guidance per day:

2 cups of dark leafy greens
•Measured raw, chopped, and packed
•Including kale, Swiss chard, collards, spinach, dandelion, mustard greens
•Does not include salad greens such as romaine, iceberg, Spring mix
2 cups cruciferous vegetables
•Measured raw, chopped, and packed
•Includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, arugula, kale, mustard greens, watercress, rutabaga, kohlrabi, radish, Swiss chard, turnip
3 additional cups colorful vegetables of your choosing (excluding white potatoes, sweetcorn)
1-2 medium beet
4 tbsp (1/4 cup) pumpkin seeds (or pumpkin seed butter)
4 tbsp (1/4 cup) sunflower seeds (or sunflower seed butter)
1+ serving methylation adaptogens, choose from:
•1/2 cup berries (wild preferred)
•1/2 tsp rosemary
•1/2 tsp turmeric
•2 medium cloves garlic
•2 cups green tea (brewed 10 minutes)
•3 cups oolong tea (brewed 10 minutes)
6 oz animal protein
•Grass-fed, pastured, organic and hormone/antibiotic-free
2 servings of low glycemic fruit

General guidance:

Organic preferred over conventional
Stay hydrated
Don’t eat between 7pm and 7am
Include “healthy” oils
•Balance types of fat
•E.g. coconut, olive, flaxseed and pumpkin seed oil
Avoid added sugar/candy, dairy, grains, legumes/beans
Minimize plastic food containers

Supplement Prescription PhytoGanix®, a combination of organic vegetables, fruits, seeds, herbs, plant enzymes, prebiotics and probiotics at a dose of 2 servings daily, divided
UltraFlora® Intensive Care, containing Lactobacillus plantarum 299v at a dose of 2 capsules daily, divided
Exercise Prescription Minimum of 30 minutes of exercise per day for at least 5 days per week, at an intensity of 60-80% of maximum perceived exertion
Sleep Prescription Average a minimum of 7 hours of sleep per night
Stress Management Prescription A Breathing exercise Steps to Elicit the Relaxation Response developed by Herbert Benson MD, twice daily
AStress Management Recommendations were updated from the original Study Protocol as listed on ClinicalTrials.gov. All updates were IRB approved. *Patent pending.

 

Source: https://www.aging-us.com/article/202913

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