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 The ultimate Holy Grail of transcending the
biological aging process – slowing, stopping, and even reversing
it – is likely to be found at the level of DNA chemistry.
Recent research suggests that all the proposed mechanisms of
aging have as a final common pathway discreet structural changes in
DNA. The ability to
intervene in these changes and recreate the structures of earlier
physiologic age is now an achievable feat that may mark the birth of
increasingly powerful rejuvenation technologies.
We will review the basics of DNA chemistry and
the ways DNA marks the passage of time.
In understanding these mechanisms we will see how methyl
group transfers are intimate to these timing events and their
potential reversal. Once
these processes are defined, we will reveal the breakthrough
discovery of high spin methyl group chemistry and suggest its
implications for sustained anti-aging.
For the first time in scientific history, a
randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical study has
established the dose response to activated methyl group chemistry. The results indicate a dramatic reduction of physiologic
aging chemistry. In
addition, several clinical symptom scales showed highly
statistically significant improvement in the active treatment group.
Basic
DNA Chemistry: As
elegant the process of translating the triplet code of a gene into a
completed protein, even more sophisticated is how a cell knows which
of its 100,000 genes to transcribe, how many copies, and in what
timing and sequence. The
3 billion base pairs of DNA organizes coding information uniquely in
each of the hundreds of different types of cells in the human body.
Although many mechanisms of gene regulation are being
defined, perhaps the most important single organizing principle
is achieved through methyl group transfer chemistry.
The name of the simplest organic chemical group with this shape is the
methyl group. A methyl
group has a carbon atom in the center, a hydrogen atom at three
points of a tetrahedron, and a fourth point free for the attachment
to another atom or molecular group.
A tetrahedron is a four-sided pyramid with triangular faces;
the three hydrogen atoms make up an equilateral face that points out
from the attachment bond of the methyl group.
Methyl groups modify a specific DNA base at birth to create a fifth
element of DNA – cytosine bases with a methyl group bonded to the
number 5 position in the cytosine ring.
This modified DNA base is called 5-methyl-cytosine.
The level of cytosine methylation at birth is quite
significant, and varies from 2 – 6%, depending on the type of
cell.
The placement of methyl groups on cytosine bases is highly information
dense and creates a fingerprint that differentiates each type of
cell. The presence of a
methyl group tells the cell which parts of the DNA code not to
transcribe for that kind of cell.
These tetrahedral anchor points thus tell a muscle cell not
to transcribe brain proteins, and so forth, for all cell types and
functions throughout the body.
In addition, methyl groups prevent the activation of genes that could
accelerate aging or induce aberrant cell growth. The placement and presence of these groups is intimate and
vital to maintaining the healthy organized function of cells and
tissues. The dynamics
of tetrahedral methyl groups may prove to be at the core of
regulating the potential for longevity.
DNA
Timing Mechanisms: Recent research suggests that the final common pathway of aging is the
gradual loss of methyl groups from DNA.
Current proposed mechanisms of aging, such as oxidant stress,
environmental toxins, vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, and
activation of harmful genes all appear to accelerate methyl group
loss.
Different levels of reduced DNA methylation are associated with the risk
of specific health problems. A
20% loss of cytosine methylation increases the risk of certain
tumors, particularly of the linings of the digestive and
reproductive tracts. This
represents a loss of information organization both of replication of
the tissues and of ideal immune surveillance.
An approximately 40% loss of methyl groups from birth levels, for humans
and other mammalian species, is usually associated with degenerative
demise of the organism. Displacement
of methyl groups interferes with regulating DNA functions and
preserving the integrity of cells and tissues.
Slowing, stopping, and reversing the loss of methyl groups
from DNA is a process of slowing and even reversing aging at the
level of DNA itself.
A related DNA timing mechanism is the length of
the telomeres. Telos is
the Greek word for ‘end’ so the telomeres are the ends of the
chromosomes. When cells
divide, the initially long sequence of telomere codons tends to chip
off to a shorter length. Telomeres
are likened to the protective coatings at the ends of shoestrings
that prevent them from fraying.
When telomere length reduces to a critical level, cells tend
to lose their ability to replicate further.
The blood chemistry marker for impaired DNA
methylation is elevation of homocysteine.
High homocysteine levels also accelerate shortening of the
telomeres. Supporting
and supplementing the same chemistry that lowers homocysteine has
the dual rejuvenation benefit of preserving and even boosting DNA
methylation and sustaining the length of the telomeres.
Homocysteine
the Overall Functional Barometer:
The
level of homocysteine in the blood gives a general reading of the
condition of methyl group transfer chemistry in the body.
The higher the homocysteine level above 6.3, the poorer the
DNA methylation and the greater the associated health risks.
Homocysteine is a metabolic breakdown product of the essential amino
acid methionine. It is
necessary to have some homocysteine in the blood for its role in
vital metabolic cycles, but beyond a relatively low threshold it
becomes increasingly toxic.
Homocysteine above low levels combines with LDL cholesterol to promote
oxidation. Unoxidized
cholesterol even at high levels appears to be harmless to blood
vessels. However, even
a small amount of oxidation renders it an agent of inducing
atherosclerotic changes.
Elevated homocysteine also increases the tendency of blood to clot to
precipitate acute vascular thromboses, as in heart attacks and
strokes. In addition,
high homocysteine accelerates telomere shortening of vascular lining
cells and impairs endothelial nitric oxide production, predisposing
to blood vessel spasm that can restrict blood flow to tissues.
Based
on all these factors, cardiovascular risks rise exponentially above
a homocysteine level of 6.3, as the
following
chart from a large population study shows:
Homocysteine
Level <6.3
6.3 10
15 20
Relative
Cardiac Risk <1
1
2 4
9
Thus at a level of 15, the risk of a major cardiac event is 4 times that
of the general population. Also
a recent study from Boston University indicates that a level over 14
carries double the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Noteworthy is that many labs call a level of up to 15 normal,
resulting in what is likely widespread under treatment of
hazardously elevated levels.
In addition, homocysteine accumulates in malignant cells, altering the
structure of proteins and DNA.
Elevated homocysteine may thus directly increase the risk of
tumor formation. Encouraging
vigorous intervention, studies that have aggressively lowered
homocysteine have reversed premalignant cells to normal cells and
have even reversed the blood vessel narrowing of atherosclerosis.
There are three principal pathways through which the body detoxifies
homocysteine. The first
of these pathways uses vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and zinc to convert
homocysteine to the beneficial sulfur amino acid cysteine.
The cysteine thus formed may then be used to synthesize
glutathione, one of the most powerful antiaging antitumor
antioxidants ever studied.
The second pathway requires folic acid and vitamin B12 and converts
homocysteine to the beneficial and lipotropic amino acid methionine.
Deficiencies of B12 and folic acid are well known to cause
anemia, neurologic, and psychiatric problems, preventable and even
reversible with supplementation.
The third and most potent pathway uses a nutrient known as
trimethylglycine, or TMG. Also
called betaine because it is derived naturally from beets, it has a
rich supply of three methyl groups to donate.
Through a specific enzyme present primarily in the liver (betaine-homocysteine
methyltransferase), TMG donates a methyl group to homocysteine.
This process not only drives the production of methionine, it
also boosts the generation of SAMe, or S-adenosyl-methionine.
The most versatile and important methyl group donor in the body, SAMe,
is formed when methionine combines with the energy molecule ATP
(adenosine triphosphate). Of
the few hundred known methyl group transfer reactions in the body,
SAMe is the methyl group donor in about half of them.
Most significantly, all of the enzymes that restore methyl
groups to DNA use SAMe as the exclusive methyl group donor.
Methyl
Groups – Root Currency of All Organic Chemistry: Methyl groups are used for far more than key anchors on DNA.
The single carbon transfer in the form of a methyl group
is the basic currency of all organic chemistry.
Methyl groups are used to make serotonin, melatonin, and other
neurotransmitters. Methyl
group donors support the myelination of nerves and the rebuilding of
joint tissues. Numerous
proteins, enzymes, and membrane lipids require methylation for
optimum function. There is even an enzyme (protein isoaspartyl
methyltransferase) that uses methyl group donors to rejuvenate
faltering enzymes and proteins to a functional state again.
Studies using SAMe directly have shown antidepressant effects as potent
as antidepressant drugs. Even
more significant, SAMe can work four to six times faster and is free
of serious side effects. Other
studies have shown marked relief of joint pain in arthritis, and the
repair of liver tissue even with cirrhosis.
The main drawback of using SAMe directly is cost – the suggested
therapeutic doses of 800-1600mg per day typically cost $5-$10 per
day. The second
potential drawback is possible homocysteine elevation.
Once SAMe donates its methyl group, it becomes homocysteine.
The
Potent TMG: A safer and more cost effective method
of boosting SAMe is providing TMG, which also lowers homocysteine
levels. In a study
conducted in the early 1950’s persons who had just had a heart
attack received either high dose TMG, 9 grams per day, or placebo.
After one year, mortality was 25% in the placebo group,
whereas the treatment group had no mortality whatsoever.
Animals fed TMG have reduced body fat and increased muscle.
Supplemental TMG may increase liver SAMe levels up to
fourfold and protect the liver from the harmful effects of alcohol
and other hepatic toxins. TMG
has also been shown to enhance athletic performance and increase
endurance.
The most drastic defect of methyl group chemistry is a hereditary
condition known as homocystinuria.
The enzyme defects in this condition may raise homocysteine
levels into the 100’s. In
the most severe forms even young children may develop severe
vascular and neurologic disease.
Although vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid may reduce
homocysteine to some degree (and possibly raise SAMe), they tend to
do little for clinical symptoms in this condition. In contrast, high dose TMG has not only further lowered
homocysteine; in many cases it has reversed neurologic symptoms and
premature aging. The
only way that women with homocystinuria have conceived and had
normal deliveries has been with vitamins supplemented with high
levels of TMG.
Laser
Molecular Stimulation for High Energy Methyl Groups: Through a patented technology used at Gematria
Products, pulsed laser waves have been used to resonate TMG methyl groups to a
high energy state. This
phenomenon has been measured with X-ray crystallography, a procedure
that locates atoms within a crystal lattice to a high degree of
precision. The
crystallography readings show a significant increase in the bond
angles of TMG methyl groups consistent with a marked increase in
spin rate and increased free energy of the methyl group bonds.
The enhanced free energy is likely to accelerate enzymatic processes of
methyl group transfers. This
may facilitate DNA remethylation and even generate aging resistant
DNA.
In a pilot test of activated TMG, one gram of activated TMG plus
cofactors was compared to 800mg of SAMe for the ability to raise
SAMe levels. Taking
SAMe resulted in a low normal level of 4.9, whereas taking activated
TMG gave a much higher level of 6.2 at less that one fifth the
price. Joint pain that
was partly relieved with SAMe achieved even greater relief with the
activated TMG.
First
Ever Dose Response Study :
We
have just completed the initial phase of data analysis of the first
ever dose response study of the effects of activated TMG.
A formal double blind randomized placebo controlled clinical
study, the first phase of the study focused on the Heart
Gems
formula with activated TMG and cofactors and its effects on blood
chemistry and clinical symptoms.
The dramatically positive results and their implications are
as follows.
In
our double blind study, 40 subjects were split randomly into
treatment and placebo control groups.
The treatment group took increasing daily amounts of the Heart
Gems formula equivalent to 2, 4, and 6 grams of activated TMG
balanced with vitamin, mineral, and lipotropic cofactors for one
month at each dosage level. The
placebo group only received capsules of maltodextrin, a low glycemic
sugar.
Statistical analysis was done on the results to
derive scientific p values. A
p value is the probability that a result will occur by chance alone.
For example, the p value for tossing a tail in a coin flip is
.5 or 50%. Values below
.05 or 5% are felt to be statistically significant - the lower the
value, the greater the significance of the results.
A value of .001 is felt to be highly significant, and
anything at or below .0001 is very highly significant for the
difference between the treatment and control groups.
Homocysteine
results for the treatment group at baseline,
1,
2, and 3 months were as follows:
Baseline 1
month 2 months
3 months
Homocysteine
9.2
7.1
6.8
6.1
P
value
.00001
.00001
.00001
The
p values are treatment values compared to baseline, which are all
very highly significant. The
entire group, on average reduced to the lowest cardiac risk level.
For
the placebo control group the values were as follows:
Baseline
1 month 2
months 3 months
Homocysteine
7.8
7.3
7.9
7.9
P
value
ns
ns
ns
The
abbreviation ns means not significant.
There was no significant change in control group levels
throughout the course of the study period.
Even
more dramatic is the reduction in homocysteine for the treatment
group subjects that started with high homocysteine levels at or
above 10.
Baseline
1 month 2
months 3 months
Homocysteine
13.2
9.3
8.3
7.3
P
value
.009
.001
.00001
This
drop in homocysteine level is comparable to
the
chemistry of persons in their 60’s becoming
that
of persons in their 20’s or 30’s.
As
each one-point drop in homocysteine may reduce cardiac risks 10-12%,
this suggests an up to 60-70% risk reduction for this group.
Subjects
also took intensive symptom surveys that compared them to the
general population. The
scores are in percentile rank, the higher the percentile the greater
the symptoms. A person
at the 60th percentile has more symptoms of that type
than 60% of the general population.
For
the anxiety scale, persons in the treatment
group
had the following results:
Baseline 1
month 2 months
3 months
Percentile
56
40
27
24
P
value .05
.0001
.0001
This
indicates a very highly significant reduction in anxiety scale for
the treatment group. There
was no significant reduction in the placebo group.
Further
analysis also indicates significant reductions in depression,
obsessive compulsive, paranoid, hostility and global symptom scales
in the active treatment group.
Blood
samples have also been collected for the direct measurement of the
dose response of SAMe and DNA methylation levels.
This is the first such dose response study in scientific
history and may give us a specific measure of the antiaging effect
achieved directly at the DNA level.
As
the data analysis continues we will strive to share more information
as appropriate.
Based on these results,
it can be strongly recommended to
take 3-6 Heart Gems
daily
for antiaging effects at the
DNA level and for general health and well being.
Persons with known elevated homocysteine levels may require
higher intake amounts for optimum results, best assessed with follow
up blood testing.
Click
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Click below for more detailed information
in these groundbreaking articles
by Dr. Todd Ovokaitys M.D.
The
Chemistry of Life : How
You Can Unlock the Mystery of Longer Life and
Discover Deeper Secrets of Life Extension
How
to Improve Every System of
Your
Body in at Least Three Ways
Cellular
Aging Clocks: Reversing Time’s Arrow
With
Activated Methyl Groups
Strengthen
Every Cell from the Inside
Out With
Heart Gems Ingredients Dr.Todd
Ovokaitys Biography
Todd
Ovokaitys, M.D.
Dr.
Todd, as he is called, realized at an early age that someday his
interests in genetics, lasers, and traditional and alternative
medicine would somehow combine in a synergistic explosion of new
technology. Acting upon his passion for these pursuits, he became a
pre-medical student at Northwestern University where his brilliance
quickly took him to number one in his class. He was also elected to
Phi Beta Kappa at Johns Hopkins University.
Following his residency, Dr. Todd was chosen for a Fellowship in
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the Georgetown University
Hospital. He moved to California in 1988 where he set up a medical
practice, studied several forms of alternative medicine, and began
to develop the theories of a new laser based technology for
improving health and well being.
Dr.
Todd established Gematria
Products, Inc. in 1996. Dr. Todd has created a line of
high-vibrational nutritional supplements, incorporating this laser
technology. These nutritionals are specially formulated for
alternatives to traditional therapies for optimum health, longevity,
and well being.
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