The young woman who saved millions of lives without knowing

 Few people in the history of medicine can say they have saved more lives than Henrietta Lacks.

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One young black woman has a reasonable claim to have made one of the greatest contributions to modern medicine – without ever knowing she had.

By William Park

24th November 2020

Henrietta Lacks was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1951 at the age of just 31, shortly after giving birth to her fifth child. At the time, many hospitals in the US still segregated black people from white people, so there were few options for her to seek treatment when she started suffering symptoms. She turned to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, as it was the nearest to her home.

The ward she ended up in happened to be down the hall from George Gey, a researcher who had been trying to grow human cells in his lab for decades. During the treatment to remove her tumour, her doctor sent a small sample of tissue without her consent to Gey. Up to this point, attempts to grow human cells outside the body had been failures. But something about Lacks’s cells was about to change that.

In most people a natural process called senescence puts a limit on the lifespan of cells. Senescence is linked to aging: as cells divide and multiply over time, the accuracy of each accompanying replication of DNA wanes. The protective caps on the end of each strand of DNA – known as telomeres – shorten, until eventually the DNA strands are unprotected and harmful mutations arise. These mutations tend to be associated with cancers and other age-related diseases. To protect against this, the replication machinery inside cells is able to detect this shortening of the telomeres so that after a certain point they stop dividing.

Typically human cells are able to divide around 50 times before they reach senescence.

But Lacks’s cells were different. Her cells were able to divide and replicate indefinitely. It made them perfect for medical research as a culture of identical cells could be grown quickly. Soon, scientists all over the world were taking shipments of Lacks’s cells for their research.

Her cell line, which came to be known as “HeLa” in honour of Lacks, is the first and most commonly used immortalised cell line in medicine. Millions of people owe their lives to the tissue taken from her – the cell line it generated was used to create the first polio vaccine, cancer medicines and in vitro fertilisation. Her cells even made it into space before any living human. (Read more about other controversial cells that have saved millions of lives.)

Her story is also one of complicated ethics. In 1951 the idea of informed consent was uncommon, so her family had no idea of Lacks’s contributions until journalist Rebecca Skloot traced back her DNA 50 years later. In the video above BBC Reel speaks to Lacks’s descendents about her enormous legacy and the moment they found out about Lacks’s contribution to all of our lives.

Click play on the video above to learn more. (see link below)

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201123-the-young-woman-who-saved-millions-of-lives-without-knowing

This video originally appeared on BBC Reel, as part of the Equality Matters playlist.

Five Reasons to Get More Magnesium

If you feel tired, weak, or nauseated… You might have a magnesium deficiency. And you’re definitely not alone. In fact, most people don’t have enough.1

 INH ResearchJanuary 9, 2015

And talk about dangerous… This powerful mineral keeps us healthy and prevents serious ailments. Things like hypertension and osteoporosis. But there’s even more to it than that.

Here are five reasons to get more magnesium.

1. Stops Anxiety: Magnesium supports your nervous system. Low levels cause a disruption. This can lead to anxiety and depression. Some experts even believe a magnesium deficiency is a direct cause of depression…2 And about half of the people diagnosed with depression also have anxiety.

Most doctors throw dangerous drugs—like benzodiazepines—at people with anxiety or depression. But just three months of use can raise your Alzheimer’s risk by 51% (among other dangers). Yet numerous studies show that magnesium eased depression and anxiety where these drugs failed. Without any side effects.3

2. Eases Stress: It doesn’t just support your nervous system. Magnesium stops cortisol levels from getting too high. It also helps your body produce melatonin which makes it easier to relax and fall asleep.4 Magnesium may help you fight headaches and fatigue. These are two of the most common signs of stress.

When you’re under stress, your body uses up magnesium faster.5 The result? Even more stress. It can also steal this mineral away from your bones and heart. This is why getting more magnesium from your diet alone may not be enough.

3. Prevents Diabetes: Magnesium can help keep your glucose levels under control. Just look at pistachios. They’re rich in magnesium. One study revealed eating 100 pistachios a day helped lower blood sugar levels by 78%.6

Another study found high magnesium intake cuts risks of diabetes by 33%.7 It can also reduce insulin sensitivity. Diabetics who took 365 mg a day significantly lowered insulin resistance after six months.8

4. Fights Cancer: Magnesium helps lower your colorectal cancer risk. About 95% of cases are adenocarcinomas. They begin with a tumor growth. Eventually, these growths can turn cancerous. Yet every 100 mg of magnesium you add to your diet each day lowers your risk of a growth ever developing by 13%. And if you already have a growth, you can reduce the odds of it becoming cancerous by 12%.

Magnesium may also help you avoid pancreatic cancer. One study found just two handfuls of magnesium-rich nuts a week can reduce your risk by 35%.

5. Keeps Telomeres Long: It’s the key to looking younger and living longer… Telomerase is the enzyme that controls the length of your telomeres. Without enough, you may age even faster. And this enzyme depends on magnesium. The mineral helps replicate and stabilize DNA.9

This might be the reason why people die of a magnesium deficiency… Researchers found low levels of magnesium increases death risk by 85%.10 Not getting enough of this mineral could kill you in as little as 10 years.

A magnesium-rich diet contains about 400 mg a day. This might sound like a lot. But it’s not as hard as it seems. Salads are a great start. Try spinach, chopped almonds, avocados, and shrimp. One square of organic dark chocolate contains 95 mg of magnesium.11

You can also find a magnesium supplement. Just make sure you read the label before purchasing. Look for one that gives you at least 200 mg per serving of natural magnesium.

References:
1http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
2http://george-eby-research.com/html/magnesium-for-depression.pdf
3http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201106/magnesium-and-the-brain-the-original-chill-pill
4http://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/health/magnesium-the-missing-mineral-20140117
5http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/drugs/magnesium
6http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2014/08/07/dc14-1431.abstract
7http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14693979%20
8http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/articles/diabetes-news/15873-type-2-diabetes-risk-lowered-with-magnesium-intake
9http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22379366
10http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21703623
11http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-high-in-magnesium.php

https://www.institutefornaturalhealing.com/2015/01/five-reasons-to-get-more-magnesium/

Understanding the signs of heart disease

HEART diseases are a major cause of death today. This week, we look at some of the symptomatic signs of heart diseases.

10 March 2014

Steve Yap

HEART diseases are a major cause of death today. This week, we look at some of the symptomatic signs of heart diseases.

► Inflammation

Chronic low-grade inflammation damages the arterial wall leading to lesions, which then ­attract oxidised and/or glycated cholesterol and dietary fats to help form plaques.

The presence of arterial plaques is a sign of heart disease.

Damaged cholesterol molecules and dietary fats are treated by our immune system as ­antibodies, hence, promoting ­inflammation. Any inflammatory condition can promote ­hypertension and slow wound healing as well.

The blood marker hs-CRP and IL-6 are widely used to measure cardiovascular ­inflammation and even mortality.

Inflammatory foods abound such as farmed animal, livestock, fish, and excessive use of omega-6 vegetable cooking oils.

A high-inflammatory diet carries higher risk of arterial plaque rupture. And recently-formed plaques are much more likely to rupture than stable calcified ones, which will increase the risk of fatal heart attack.

Chronic inflammation easily destabilises soft arterial plaques, especially in the presence of uncontrolled hypertension.

Vascular inflammation may be lowered by nutrients such as DHA/EPA (both being omega-3 fatty acids), trans-resveratrol, ­quercetin, soy genistein, tea polyphenols, curcumin, gingerol, grape seed ­extract (OPC), vitamins A, C and, D, magnesium citrate, as well as Malaysian ­cocoa, dark ­chocolate, and rosemary.

Genistein strengthens ­arterial wall which helps explain why soy (rather than animal) protein lowers risk of heart attack.

Regular exercises also lower overall ­inflammation.

► Hypertension

High blood pressure is one of the top risk factors for developing cardiovascular ­disease.

Dr Mark C. Houston, in What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Heart Disease, stresses that hypertension isn’t a disease but rather a marker for ­vascular (blood vessels) and ­endothelial (artery wall) dysfunction ­promoted by our environment interacting with our genes.

This means that if you’ve a genetic ­predisposition to high blood pressure but don’t have the bad environment, lifestyle and/or dietary habits stimuli to ­trigger hypertension, you don’t ­generally develop this silent killer.

Vascular ageing may be ­evidenced by ­progressive ­arterial stiffness or hardening, loss of arterial ­elasticity, and pulse­ ­pressure.

Salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and caffeinated drinks have been implicated in causing ­arterial stiffness, whereas soy protein isolate, omega-3 fish oil, dark green leafy vegetables, and garlic can reduce artery hardening.

Widely-used nutrient L-arginine for ­complementary treatment of hypertension is generally effective since it raises nitric oxide, which dilates arteries.

DHA, NAC (N-acetyl cysteine), gamma tocopherol (vitamin E) and resveratrol also can lower blood pressure besides reducing ­oxidation of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol.

► Diabetes

Endothelial dysfunction, which precedes hypertension, can cause insulin ­resistance which then promotes ­diabetes.

Refined sugars including ­sorbitol, mannitol, erythritol, ­tagatose, and steviol-glycosides can cause insulin spikes, stimulate the ageing gene, TOR, and suppress the longevity gene, SIRT.

Additionally, a diet high in refined starches can raise levels of homocysteine and toxic free radicals.

Diabetic people, on the whole, produce lower levels of endothelial progenitor cells for arterial repair and renewal.

Nutritional therapist reduces the negative effects of diabetes by designing a protocol containing nutraceutical such as alpha lipoic acid, trans-resveratrol, charantin, cinnamon, hydroxycitric acid, EPA/DHA, calorie ­restriction, adequate sleep, as well as by raising the ­patient’s metabolism through regular exercise and lifestyle modifications.

Poor dietary and/or lifestyle habits can adversely affect immune vascular function, which will lead to vascular heart disease.

► Autoimmunity

Any form of autoimmune disorders (immune system gone haywire) – such as rheumatoid ­arthritis, lupus, eczema, psoriasis, and asthma – promotes inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis.

This is also true with chronic infections such as those inflicted by common H. Pylori and viruses.

► Oxidative stress

High blood sugar or triglyceride levels induce oxidative stress. Only oxidised cholesterol and/or fats are known to form part of the vulnerable arterial plaques.

Tea polyphenols, resveratrol, and ­monounsaturated fatty acids can reduce ­oxidation of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol. Resveratrol can be found in cocoa and peanut.

Systemic (whole body) oxidative stress can even affect our brain cells triggering ­inflammatory ­response and ­hypertension.

For men and ­menopausal women, ­elevated blood ferritin (iron store) from the consumption of excess red meat, organ meat and eel also enhances oxidation.

► Mental conditions

Unresolved anger or anxiety disorder can ­severely damage heart health. For heart ­patients, it significantly raises their risk of a second heart attack.

Sleeping very late and for less than six hours a night elevates physical and mental stress while doubling the risk of developing diabetes type 2.

► Mitochondria

Unhealthy cellular mitochondria strongly promote oxidative stress.

L-carnitine is needed to transport long-chain fatty acids to the mitochondria, which are energy-generating components of our heart cell inherited only from our mother.

Co-enzyme Q10 can energise the heart muscles while lowering systolic blood ­pressure.

Calorie restriction can ­improve ­mitochondrial ­function and activate their biogenesis ­(regeneration).

► Telomere

Shorter telomeres in our cell chromosomes have been linked to increased coronary artery calcification, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, arterial stiffness, and even higher ­mortality rate.

Its length is determined partly by ­nutritional status and levels of physical activity.

A high vegetable diet, regular exercises, stress reduction, and intake of omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, vitamins C and E are known to increase enzyme telomerase activity in preventing early telomere shortening.

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/980370

Telomeres: The New Key To Anti-Aging

 Dr. Isaac Eliaz | Jul 02, 2013

 

DNA leads a precarious existence. Each cell contains several feet of genetic material that must be packed very tightly to fit the allotted space. When cells divide, the DNA strands have to split apart, with every piece creating a new strand for each of the two new cells.

This process can be particularly treacherous and vulnerable to harmful mutations that distort the genetic material. Fortunately, the body has ways to protect the all-important DNA. One of the most important structures that safeguard DNA consists of what are called telomeres.

Located at the tips of each of our 46 chromosomes, telomeres help protect DNA and are particularly important during cell division. Telomeres have received a lot of notoriety due to their relationship with aging. These protective structures shorten with each cell division, exposing DNA to potential danger. In time, telomeres get too short to shield DNA. That’s when cells stop working, function poorly or, even worse, develop disease.

There’s a lot of research being conducted on ways to preserve telomeres. Much of this work focuses on telomerase, an enzyme that helps rebuild telomeres after cell division. Some researchers propose that boosting telomerase may be a way to preserve telomere function and increase longevity and health. However, there’s another side to the coin: Too much telomerase activity may be associated with cancer formation, because it allows cells to replicate uncontrollably. But other studies debunk this link.

What researchers are suggesting overall is that healthy telomere function, like so many other complex systems in the body, requires a careful balance. Furthermore, it’s becoming clear that telomere function is influenced by numerous environmental and lifestyle factors and that shortened telomeres can lead to a number of chronic, degenerative diseases. Obviously, more research is needed, but data suggests that preserving telomere health can play a role in maintaining long-term vitality.

Risky Business

Telomeres can be prematurely shortened by many factors. Environmental toxins, stress, smoking and an unhealthy diet play a part. Shortened telomeres have been linked to cancer, heart disease, inflammation, insulin resistance, osteoarthritis, obesity and dementia.

It’s not entirely clear whether shortened telomeres are causing these conditions. Still, there’s obviously a relationship. A study conducted at the University of Utah found that people with shorter telomeres have a shorter life expectancy. In particular, they seemed to be susceptible to heart disease and infections. A more comprehensive study conducted in Denmark showed that reduced length increases the chance of premature death by 25 percent.

Taking Action

Preserving telomeres is not a magic health bullet. If we eat poorly, smoke, drink heavily and neglect exercise, there’s no amount of telomere support that will guarantee protection.

On the other hand, if we develop a healthy lifestyle and control known disease markers, like blood pressure and chronic inflammation, supporting telomere length can complement these efforts.
As always, the starting point is diet and exercise. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, drink lots of filtered water, and choose lean proteins and healthy fats. Adopt a sustainable exercise program: brisk, 30-minute walks provide excellent cardiovascular support.

Don’t forget stress reduction. There are a number of studies linking stress to shortened telomeres. Again, we’re not sure whether this is cause or effect, but it hardly matters. We know that stress releases the hormone cortisol and can cause chronic inflammation along with other degenerative effects. On the other hand, a study from researchers in California found that positive feelings, such as those produced by meditation, seem to activate telomerase. They also found that people who sustained “good feelings” had healthier telomeres.

In other words, we should adopt activities that quiet the mind and help center us. Meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, walking in nature or swimming a few laps in the pool can all be beneficial.

Important Supplements

There are a wide variety of herbs and nutrients that have been linked to healthy telomeres. Astragalus has been used for centuries in traditional medicines. Recent research has shown that Astragalus boosts immune function. At present, at least two pharmaceutical companies are focusing on this herb’s potential to preserve telomeres.

Vitamins also seem to play a role. Several vitamins, specifically vitamin D, appear to boost telomere length. Antioxidants, which can be found in vitamins and other sources, are also important. Oxidative stress is linked with shortened telomeres; arming the body against this pro-inflammatory process is always beneficial.

Long touted for its ability to boost heart and cognitive function, omega-3 fatty acids have also been linked with telomere length. In one study, lower omega-3 levels in the bloodstream were associated with accelerated telomere shortening.

As noted, environmental toxins such as heavy metals may play a significant role, as well as being harmful to health in other ways. There are a couple of supplement formulas I recommend to help the body remove these pollutants. A comprehensive, botanical detoxification formula containing vitamins, minerals, astragalus, gingko, antioxidants and other botanicals helps rid the body of toxins and may preserve telomere health.

I also recommend modified citrus pectin (MCP), which has long been used to remove heavy metals and other toxins. In addition, MCP helps reduce levels of an inflammatory protein often associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer.

This is by no means the final word on telomeres. New research will further illuminate these key structures, helping to guide our efforts to preserve long-term health. Meanwhile, a simple common-sense approach that includes a healthy diet, exercise, stress reduction and focused supplementation can go a long way toward preserving telomeres and promoting health and longevity.

For more health and wellness information, visit www.dreliaz.org.

http://easyhealthoptions.com/alternative-medicine/telomeres-the-new-key-to-anti-aging/

The Sit Test of Aging and Longevity

Originally published on Thursday, December 27th, 2012               

ANTI AGING by Dr. Marchione for Bel Marra Health

 

For many years your heart health has been considered a good indicator of whether or not you will live longer than the person standing next to you. Studies on aging have come a long way though, and now scientists believe joint health can help determine your longevity as well.

 

Joint Health and Aging

Joint health is something most of us don’t think about until we are much older or until we experience an accident or sports injury that impacts our musculoskeletal system. However, a report in the European Journal of Cardiology indicates that a simple sitting and standing test; one that shows how your joints function may predict how long you are going to live.

 

The Live Longer Test

Brazilian researchers monitored over 2000 adults for just over 6 years. Each adult was asked to sit down on the floor and then get up without using much support from their hands, knees or other parts of the body. The participants would get 5 points if they could sit down without touching their legs, knees, hands or arms on the floor. They would get another 5 points if they could get up off the floor unassisted. They lost one point for every body part they leaned on while getting up or down. For example, if a person could go down on the floor with just one knee touching the ground, they would end up with four points. If a person touched a knee and hand on the floor as they were getting up, they would lose 2 points and end up with a score of three. Anyone who looked unstable or shaky on the way up or down lost half a point. People who scored zero to three were 6.5 times as likely to die during the course of the study, compared to those who scored 8 to 10. Those with scores of 3.5 to 5.5 ended up 3.8 times as likely to die as the high scorers. Finally, people who were in the 6 to 7.4 range were 1.8 times more likely to pass away.

Doctors have used a sit and rise test for quite some time to test leg and muscle strength in seniors, but few studies have been this difficult or have taken a close look at the impact on longevity.

One doctor who worked on the study through Gamo Filho University in Rio de Janeiro said that ease of getting up and down is dependent on the ratio of muscle power to body weight, but Claudio Gil Soares de Araujo indicates that “body flexibility, balance and motor coordination” are also important factors. Often times poor flexibility, balance and coordination can put people is situations that make them more prone to accidents that can lead to serious injury or even death. During the Brazilian study one hundred and 59 participants died; the majority had the most trouble getting up and sitting down.

 

Other Aging Tests

Both the public and the scientific community seem to have a fascination with aging. Countless research projects around the globe are being conducted today in an effort to help us live longer, as well as unravel some of the mysteries that come along with the aging process. Some scientists believe that telomeres can be used to predict long term health. One of the two scientists that shared the Nobel peace prize in 2009 has cofounded a company; Telomere Health, to provide a telomere test to the public. Telomeres are small protective caps at the end of chromosomes that keep them from fraying when cells divide. Scientists have determined that telomeres shorten when people age. Studies have linked increasing numbers of shortened telomeres to a shorter life span and to diseases including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

General practitioners applaud the work that is being done in the area of joint health, heart health and the science of telomeres, but say what the general public needs to focus on is a proper lifestyle which includes regular exercise, adequate sleep, and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Source: The Sit Test of Aging and Longevity