Scientists Uncover Secret of Long Life

A study conducted at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, found a common genetic mutation in people over 100 years old, a finding, researchers say could be a key to discovering a way to avoid the ravages of aging.

Scientists found that centenarians were five times more likely than others to have the same mutation in their mitochondrial DNA, the portion of DNA located in the mitochondria or "powerhouses" of the cell that passes only from the mother to offspring. The mitochondria captures the energy released from the oxidation of metabolites and convert it into energy.

Researchers say it is possible that in the process of replication, these molecules are less damaged by oxidation. In the group of 52 Italian centenarians, they found a common mutation in the same main control region. Looking at mitochondrial DNA in white blood cells, they found that 17 percent of the 52 had a specific mutation called C150T transition, compared with only 3.4 percent of 117 people under the age of 99. To see whether the mutation is inherited, researchers studied skin cells collected from the same individuals between nine and 19 years apart. In some, both samples showed that the mutation already existed, while in others, it either appeared or became more abundant during the intervening years. These results suggest that some people inherit the mutation from their mother, while others acquire it during their lifetime, researchers said.

Study : Stress Disorder May Increase The Risk Of Heart Disease

Prolonged stress disorder may increase the risk of heart disease, according to resarchers from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Anxiety disorder may be triggered by traumatic memories such as from military combat, from natural disasters, terrorist attacks, as well as from physical or sexual abuse. Symptoms of this anxiety disorder includes flashbacks, anger and difficulty of sleeping, emotional deadening, increased blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and muscle tension.

The study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry analyzed data from the Veterans Administrative Normative Aging Study, a research project that examined the health of military veterans. Responses of male World War II and Korean War veterans showed that those with stronger post traumatic stress disorder symptoms suffered higher rates of coronary heart disease.

Laura Kubzansky, who analyzed the responses suggests that "prolonged stress and significant levels of PTSD symptoms may increase the risk of coronary heart disease in older male veterans."

Scientists Explains How Sunburn Causes Skin Cancer

Researchers from the US have found a new mechanism that explains not only how the body repairs damage done by the sun but might explain why some people are more prone to cancer.

The study was tested in mice but researchers believe their findings will translate to human beings.Researchers believe our body has many known mechanisms for fixing damaged DNA in cells or killing damaged cells so they do not start the out-of-control growth that leads to the tumors.

"We have shown that the body has an innate defense against the accumulation of genetic mutations that arise from sun exposure. You get DNA damage almost everytime you go out. This can be translated over to mutations. If you can get rid of the cells containing the DNA damage, you get rid of the cancer," said Laurie Owen-Schaub of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas in Houston.

This is how the experiment was done. The researchers shaved and zapped laboratory mice with a dose of ultraviolet light, roughly equivalent to 45-minute exposures of humans at noon on a sunny day. Within 3 to 6 hours, skin cells of mice were producing both Fas and FasL. Explaining in the journal Science where the findings was reported, the team said a gene called p53 causes damaged cells to die. It controls another gene, called Fas. Another critically important gene is called Fas ligand or Fas L, which works independently of p53.When the group tested mice bred to lack FasL, the mice had much more damage to their cells, even if p53 kicked in and tried to kill off the damaged cells.

The group also subjected both kinds of mice to regular ultraviolet exposure, about an hour and a half a day, for a week or two. Results showed five percent of the normal mice had genetic damage to their skin cells, as opposed to 70 percent of the mice lacking FasL. Their conclusion was "Fas is like the lock and FasL is like the key. If you lose the key, you can't undergo cell death. When this defense mechanism fails or is inactivated, sunlight exposure induces the genetic alterations that then persist,eventually resulting in skin cancer."

Omega Oils And The Immune Systems

A well-functioning immune system is the body's best detective and defense force against any foreign invader, from simple cold to cancer. With proper care and nourishment, the immune system works quietly yet powerfully to give us a lifelong protection from all types of illnesses.

Current research has shown that essential fatty acids especially the omega-3 family of fatty acids when added to the diet boost the immune system. According to Dr. Donald Rudin, co-author of the 1996 book Omega-3 Oils, "Normally the immune system is kept under control by the body's essential fatty acid-based regulatory system. But dietary distortions, especially a shortage of the omega-3 fatty acids, are now known to contribute to , or even prompt , the breakdown of the immune system." Regaining healthy immune functioning lies in rebalancing the intake of unprocessed, unheated omega-3 and omega-6 oils and thereby rebalancing these essential oils in the body.

The most well-known and well-researched omega fats are the omega-3s, omega-6s, and the omega-9s. Omega-3 and omega-6 oils are considered essential fatty acids because the body is unable to manufacture these types of fatty acids on it's own. Although omega-9 oils are not considered essential, they are so rich in health benefits that nutrition experts recommended them to be included in our daily dietary plan.

Omega Oils And The Immune Systems

A well-functioning immune system is the body's best detective and defense force against any foreign invader, from simple cold to cancer. With proper care and nourishment, the immune system works quietly yet powerfully to give us a lifelong protection from all types of illnesses.

Current research has shown that essential fatty acids especially the omega-3 family of fatty acids when added to the diet boost the immune system. According to Dr. Donald Rudin, co-author of the 1996 book Omega-3 Oils, "Normally the immune system is kept under control by the body's essential fatty acid-based regulatory system. But dietary distortions, especially a shortage of the omega-3 fatty acids, are now known to contribute to , or even prompt , the breakdown of the immune system." Regaining healthy immune functioning lies in rebalancing the intake of unprocessed, unheated omega-3 and omega-6 oils and thereby rebalancing these essential oils in the body.

The most well-known and well-researched omega fats are the omega-3s, omega-6s, and the omega-9s. Omega-3 and omega-6 oils are considered essential fatty acids because the body is unable to manufacture these types of fatty acids on it's own. Although omega-9 oils are not considered essential, they are so rich in health benefits that nutrition experts recommended them to be included in our daily dietary plan.

Cola Consumption Links to High Blood Pressure, Study

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that colas may be associated with high blood pressure more than coffee, at least for women cola drinkers. This is the first well-designed scientific study that has shown a link between blood pressure and caffeinated cola consumption.

Women who drank even just one caffeinated cola drink every day had a slightly higher risk of high blood pressure, reported by Wolfgang C. Winkelmayer, MD, lead researcher of the study. " The finding was consistent, both for younger and older women. We were very surprised," says Dr. Winkelmayer.

In another scientific study, with similar results with diet colas, researcher Katherine L. Tucker, Ph D, of Boston's Tufts University reported that drinking cola drinks might be associated with lower bone density making menopausal women more at risk for osteoporosis.

Though the data in these studies are strongly suggestive but in no way are they conclusive. The researchers emphasized the need to understand and identify the biological mechanism that creates this link.