Life Extension Archives

October 8, 2024

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Could Increase Risk of Infection

An article published in PLoS Genetics describes a study involving the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) which uncovered a link between insufficient dietary intake of vitamin B12 and a greater risk of potentially lethal infections. Caenorhabditis elegans are similar to humans in their need to obtain vitamin B12 by dietary means. “We used C. elegans to study the effect of diet on a host and found that one kind of food was able to dramatically increase resistance to multiple stressors — like heat and free radicals — as well as to pathogens,” reported lead researcher Natasha Kirienko, who is an assistant professor of biosciences at […]

July 30, 2024

Published by Life Extension

4 Perfect Health Tips You Should Try This Summer

Summer is here. Are you and your body prepared for it? As much as you may love your fun in the sun, the summer also “cooks up” its own range of health-related considerations. To help you get prepared, we’ve pulled together a list of summer-specific health tips that should get you and yours well-positioned for a happy and healthy season of sun. Try Natural Insect Repellents This Summer Nobody enjoys being bitten by mosquitoes and the longer you stay outside, the higher your chances of becoming a victim. If you’re like me, you’re a culinary delight for mosquitoes. I have […]

June 14, 2024

Published by Life Extension

Ceramide Intake Reduces Appearance of Wrinkles

Make room on your beauty counter for ceramides. A clinical study has found that oral intake has been linked to reduced signs of aging—including wrinkles that are less deep, fewer fine lines and more moist, youthful skin. You’ve probably already heard of ceramides for skin in moisturizers—these lipids are naturally occurring in skin, but levels decline with age. Adding ceramides as part of an anti-aging routine has been a go-to for years; only more recently have the benefits of an oral ceramide come to light. Oral Ceramides Help Keep Skin Looking Youthful Ceramides in both topical and oral formulas come from grains, and help […]

June 1, 2024

Published by Life Extension

The Broad-Spectrum Protection of Anthocyanins

Consumers hear a lot today about “healthy foods” that are shown to prevent disease. Missing from news broadcasts are details about how to benefit from specific plant components that published studies document help protect against degenerative disorders. In seeking to clarify their knowledge base, scientists are focusing a lot of research on compounds known as anthocyanins, which provide berries and other plants with their rich deep red and purple colors and have been proven to combat multiple pathways of disease. In this report, we provide you with research findings about various anthocyanin-rich plants and how you can access their disease […]

May 20, 2024

Published by Life Extension

Superfoods: The Raw Power of Strawberries

It’s common knowledge that certain berries are nutrition powerhouses, but when it comes to fighting a vast array of diseases and health problems, few berries stack up to the strawberry in terms of sheer health potency. From combating inflammation and controlling diabetes, to protecting cognitive function and improving heart health, strawberries can bolster your body’s health in countless ways. An in vitro cell study using an extract from strawberry leaves on leukemia cells found significant cancer-killing activity, while freezing-dried strawberries slowed the growth of two varieties of cervical cancer cells grown in culture. Strawberries’ Story Strawberries are one of the […]

May 9, 2024

Published by Life Extension

Vitamin D Helps Support Cancer Immunity

A recent article titled, “Vitamin D regulates microbiome-dependent cancer immunity,” published April 25, 2024, in the journal Science, reported that vitamin D supports the growth of the intestinal bacterium Bacteroides fragilis in mice, which improved immunity to cancer. Bacteroides fragilis is also part of the human microbiome. It has been observed that the composition of the gut microbiome in people with cancer who respond to immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies differs from that of nonresponsive patients. Less Tumor Growth in Mice Among numerous findings revealed by the current research, mice that were bred to have greater vitamin D availability showed improved […]

April 23, 2024

Published by Life Extension

Feeling Anxious? Relax with Holy Basil

Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States. Roughly 18% of Americans have this condition and many go untreated. It’s actually estimated that about two thirds of those suffering forgo medical treatment. Many are concerned about the side effects associated with anxiety medications, and rightfully so. They’re not exactly risk-free. Luckily, there are a number of safe herbs that not only alleviate anxiety, but offer additional health benefits as well. Below, we’ll explore the anti-anxiety effects of holy basil, one of nature’s best stress-relieving herbs. Holy Basil Offers Multiple Health Benefits Holy basil has been used traditionally in Asia for thousands of years. […]

April 9, 2024

Published by Life Extension

6 Life-Extending Plant Extracts

An interesting article recently revealed the discovery of life-extending effects for six plant-derived extracts in experiments involving S. cerevisiae, a variety of yeast that is frequently the subject of aging research. Six new groups of molecules from plant extracts you most likely have heard of were found to slow down the aging process. Researchers found that extracts of black cohosh, valerian, purple passion flower, Ginkgo biloba, celery, and white willow bark extended the life span of S. cerevisiae. Do Plants Really Extend Life Span? In the case of white willow, the average and maximum life span increased by over 300%, which is […]

February 26, 2024

Published by Life Extension

Plant Proteins Can Lead to a Longer Life

Swapping animal for plant protein in your diet can lead to a longer life, research has shown. A large study found that every three per cent increase in calories from plant protein reduced the risk of death from all causes by 10 per cent. It was also associated with a 12 per cent lower risk of death from heart disease. In contrast, raising the animal protein share of calories by 10 per cent led to a two per cent higher risk of all-cause death and an eight per cent greater chance of dying from a heart problem. Animal protein foods […]