Aging can be defined as the effects of accumulating molecular and cellular damage over time. Scientists are studying the root causes of cellular aging to find ways to stop or slow it down. So far, they've identified 14 main causes of cellular aging, often called the 14 Hallmarks of Cellular Aging.
These factors are determined by our genetics about 10% of the time, but our environment and lifestyle account for the other 90%. Each of these main factors eventually leads to age-related diseases. By addressing these root causes, we can slow down aging and prevent diseases.
How can we prevent our cells from getting old?
Scientists are on a quest to understand why our cells age, so we can find ways to halt or slow down this process. Essentially, it boils down to taking care of two key components of our cells: DNA and mitochondria.
DNA is like the cell's instruction manual.
1) As we age, our DNA can get damaged by free radicals, which is why antioxidants are so important.
2) Damaged DNA leads to the production of faulty proteins, enzymes, and cellular waste, draining energy and hindering cell function. Fasting can help trigger a process called autophagy to clear out this cellular garbage.
3) Severely damaged DNA can turn cells into toxic 'zombie cells' that release inflammatory substances and damage healthy cells. This is where phytochemicals come in.
4) Even if our DNA isn't damaged, the switches that control our genes can malfunction. These switches are called methyl molecules. To reset these switches, we need to consume nutrients like methyl folate, methionine, and vitamin B12.
Mitochondria are the cell's powerhouses.
5) We can boost our mitochondria by increasing their number.
Every time mitochondria generate energy, they degrade a bit, like a battery losing its charge. To counteract this, we can exercise or consume nutrients that stimulate the creation of new mitochondria. Antioxidants like astaxanthin and CoQ10 can also help slow down mitochondrial degradation.
6) To enhance mitochondrial efficiency, we need NAD+. This essential molecule helps the enzymes involved in energy production function properly. As we age, our NAD+ levels decline significantly, leading to fatigue. Supplements like nicotinamide riboside can help boost NAD+ levels.
What makes someone live a long, healthy life? What can we do to increase our healthspan?
Your health starts at the cellular level. Seriously, every single disease you can think of comes from a tiny problem with just one cell. Like, cancer starts when a single cell goes rogue and starts multiplying out of control. Or diabetes? That's when your cells ignore the insulin telling them to use up sugar, so it just hangs out in your blood. And heart attacks or strokes? Those happen when cells don't get enough oxygen and basically die. So, if the cells in any part of your body aren't doing their jobs, you're going to get sick. That's why taking care of your cells is like a magic key to staying healthy and living longer.
Keeping our cells healthy is all about staying healthy and living a long life. But how do we know if our cells are doing their job? What are the signs of healthy cells?
Your DNA's age, which is found in your cells, and your biological age (or simply, your body's age) are indicators of how healthy your body is.
We can measure this through a test called Epigenetics.
Every time you get this test, your results can vary depending on your lifestyle.
If you take good care of your cells, your age can actually decrease!
Think of DNA as a cell's instruction manual, and Epigenetics as the on/off switch for your DNA.
When we're young, the genes that should be on are on, and the ones that should be off are off, so our cells function normally and we stay healthy.
As we get older, the genes that should be off turn on, and the ones that should be on turn off, leading to cell dysfunction and disease.
Measuring Epigenetics tells us how old our DNA acts.
If your DNA age is less than your chronological age, you're younger than your years and in good health.
This is different from a Genetics test, which always shows the same results.
Can my genes make me age faster than someone else, even if we're the same age?
It's completely possible because each of our cells ages at different rates.
Imagine getting a 'DNA switch' from food or supplements. This switch is passed along like a package through a series of messengers until it reaches your DNA, where it can turn genes on or off.
Enzymes help to transport these DNA switches, but everyone's enzymes work a bit differently. For example, think about the MTHFR enzyme.
Let's say you eat lots of greens or take folic acid to help activate these switches. But if the enzyme that converts folic acid into methylfolate isn't working properly, no matter how much folic acid you take, your body can't use it, and it can even be toxic.
So, for people with this issue, taking methylfolate directly would be more beneficial. Current research suggests that about 5 genes are involved in this process. If one of these genes is faulty, it can affect how your DNA is turned on or off.
That's why a genetic test that checks how well your body can transport these switches to your DNA is so useful. It helps you choose the right nutrients for your unique genetic makeup.
LIVMORE's genetic test kit is super easy to use. You just collect a saliva sample at home, send it back to LIVMORE, and they send it to a lab in the US. You'll get your results within a month.
The main benefit of a genetic test is that it helps you personalize your nutrition. By choosing the right nutrients for your genes, you can optimize your cell function and potentially slow down the aging process of your DNA.
Can LIVMORE really reduce DNA age?
LIVMORE is backed by clinical studies from overseas and formulated by Dr. Tonsomboon.
Khun Gong, who's 56 this year, has been taking LIVMORE for 2 months. Amazingly, his biological age has decreased by 3 years!
Khun Nikki, who's also on LIVMORE's Ultimate Plan, couldn't even run a lap around Lumpini Park before. Now, she can easily run 10 kilometers without stopping, and her biological age has dropped by 2 years.
What's the difference between genetics and epigenetics?
Genetics and epigenetics are two terms often compared to each other. Both are related to the transmission of biological traits from one generation to the next, but they have completely different mechanisms.
Genetics
Meaning: The inheritance of biological traits from parents to offspring through DNA, which is the genetic code that determines the characteristics of living organisms, such as eye color, hair color, and body shape.
Mechanism: Changes in the base sequence of DNA (mutations) affect protein production and lead to changes in physical traits.
Stability: Genetic changes are usually permanent and can be passed on to the next generation.
Epigenetics
Meaning: The study of changes that affect gene expression without involving changes in the base sequence of DNA.
Mechanism: Epigenetic changes are caused by external factors such as diet, environment, and stress, which affect gene function without altering the structure of the DNA itself. For example, the presence of a methyl group attached to DNA can cause a gene to become less active or inactive.
Flexibility: Epigenetic changes are often not permanent, can change throughout life, and may be passed on to the next generation in some cases.
