January 24, 2019
There's plenty of controversy these days around telomere testing.
Is it accurate?
Does it really show your so-called “biological vs. chronological” age?
And once you do get your results, how can you lengthen your telomeres?
In today's episode, I interview one of the world's leading experts on telomeres: Dr. Bill Andrews. Dr. Andrews is the Founder and CEO of Sierra Sciences, a company focused on finding ways to extend the human lifespan and healthspan through telomere maintenance. As a scientist, athlete and executive, he continually pushes the envelope and challenges convention. He has been featured in Popular Science, The Today Show and numerous documentaries on the topic of life extension including, most recently, the movie The Immortalists in which he co-stars with Aubrey de Grey.
Bill has been a researcher in biotech since 1981, focusing on cancer, heart disease and inflammation research; though his passion has always been aging. In the early to mid-1990s, while at Geron Corporation, Dr. Andrews led the research to discover both the RNA and protein components of human telomerase. He was awarded 2nd place as “National Inventor of the Year” in 1997. After earning his Ph.D. in Molecular and Population Genetics at the University of Georgia in 1981 he then served as Senior Scientist at Armos Corporation and Codon Corporation, Director of Molecular Biology at Berlex Biosciences and at Geron Corporation, and Director of Technology Development at EOS Biosciences, before starting Sierra Sciences in 1999. Bill is also a named inventor on over 50+ US issued patents on telomerase and author of numerous scientific research studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Bill is also an avid ultra-marathon runner. He regularly competes in 50 and 100+ mile races often finishing at the top of his age group. These grueling races have taken him all over the world to race in some of the most extreme environments, from Death Valley to the Himalayas. His running is presently featured in the movie “The High.”
During our discussion, you'll discover:
-The differing effects of short vs. long distance running on telomere lengths…9:25
- Not the length per se, but how you do it.
- If it quits being fun, it's time to quit.
- Consistent running actually decreases inflammation; inconsistent or sporadic running is problematic
-What are telomeres and what is their role in our physical mortality…13:15
- Think of each chromosome in the body as a “shoelace”; the little caps on the end of the laces are the telomeres
- Telomere shortening results in declining health with aging
- Each time our cells divide, our telomeres get a bit shorter
- DNA and cell replication
- Cells can't replicate DNA all the way to the end
- Cells eventually “crash”; lose the ability to function
- It's possible to calculate the maximum lifespan of a human based on telomere shortening rates
- Attention anti-agers: you can't do it unless you can figure out how to prevent telomere shortening
- Book by Jim Mellon: Juvenescence: Investing in the age of longevity
-How telomeres can be lengthened, and how to lower the rate by which they shorten…19:30
- Telomeres are not shortened when reproductive cells replicate
- Telomerase prevents the shortening of telomeres
- Telomerase is too big to get into cells
- Senescent cell: a cell that has lost the ability to divide
- Shutting down senescent cells actually inhibits cancer cells
- “Chromosome rearrangement”: a precursor to cancer
- Shortened telomeres hinder cancer treatments such as chemotherapy
- Keeping telomeres long is the best way to treat cancer should it enter the body
-Whether or not telomere tests work and how accurate they are…35:10
- Accuracy is extremely low in measuring biological age
- Best available is fluorescence in situ hybridization
- PCR, a popular means of testing, is “manipulatable”- uncontrollable changes
- Test yourself multiple times; use different names
- Telomere Restriction Fragment is Dr. Andrews favorite test
- Difference in costs:
- More accurate = more expensive
- Range: $100-300
-The research Dr. Andrews is conducting on increasing telomerase activity…44:20
- Two ways to produce telomerase inside the cells
- Find a way to turn the gene “on” in preexisting cells
- Deliver a brand new gene to the cell; turned on more than a regular gene
- Decreasing the rate of shortening the telomeres
- “Tug of War” analogy
- Not currently possible to reverse the aging process
- 1-3 years away from having the tug of war a “tie”; meaning the aging process comes to a halt, then possibly we'll see aging process reversed
- Real life products in the marketplace based on Dr. Andrews' research at Sierra Science…50:30
- Dr. Andrews focuses solely on research; partners with pharmaceutical companies for marketing, distribution, etc.
- TAM-818: a supplement that increases telomerase levels
- Dr. Andrews takes every supplement that's been shown to increase telomerase levels
-Dr. Andrews' personal anti-aging protocol…53:45
- TA65
- Isagenesis
- TAM-818
- You can't design natural products to be better; they would cease to be natural products
- Elements of his protocol that may fly under the radar:
- Vitamin D/K Blend
- Omega 3 fatty acids (Superessentials Fish Oil)
- Barlean's Flax Seed Oil
- Vitamin C from American Nutraceuticals
- Yellow bell peppers: highest amount of Vitamin C and lowest amount of sugars
- Book: The Kaufman Protocol
- Yoga, meditation, running, don't increase telomerase, but limit shortening of telomeres
-Precautions to take before diving headlong into an anti-aging protocol…1:07:35
- No known negative effects of long telomeres
- Gene delivery/therapy
- Libella Gene Therapeutics
-About the “telomere clock”…1:16:15
-And much more!
Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
Resources from this episode:
–TA65
–Vitamin C from American Nutraceuticals
-Bill Andrew's books on curing aging and telomeres
-Book: The Kaufman Protocol
–Book by Jim Mellon: Juvenescence: Investing in the age of longevity
–Repeat Diagnostics telomere testing
–Sierra Sciences website (Dr. Bill Andrew's website)
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I think he once mentioned resveratrol failed to lengthen telomeres. But multiple researchers have seen telomere lengthening from resveratrol. One of the latest researchers used 5micromole concentration for 24 hours on human cells.
Not only was measured telomeres changed but cellular appearance and behavior towards a youthful state.
This is a link to the resveratrol research on human cells.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171107113145.htm
I wonder how Bill chooses the doses to test the compounds. As too low or too high might have different effects
Just to clarify, if I’m not particularly interested in living to be 100, but I’m highly interested in the quality of life and health while I AM alive, supplements like TA65 and TAM818 are still beneficial to lower the risk of disease? Do they aid in pain management?
Isagenesis is questionable…d-alpha tocopherol (podcast with Dr. Tan), ascorbic acid (as you mentioned – what kind?), caramel brown sugar?…. lots of stuff in the “blend” – my telomeres will die along with my kidneys… I ve heard that telomeres get shortened with decreasing kidney function. Makes sense – in TCM kidney is a Qi, the energy, hormones, hair, skin, bones… Perhaps there is an easier and less expensive way to longevity – take care of your kidneys? … and I know it for a fact – had been on dialysis for 4 years, transplant solves one problem but adds ten more… I don’t know, I am not a scientist, just a “dangerous person who listens, thinks and observes” 😆😉👍
Dear Ben, thank you for the great infos, always a struggle to determine what is business and what is facts, however your website/ podcast gives me a chance to be part of the conversation, thank you.
I can’t find Bill’s fish oil dosages in your show notes, I recall it was unusually high, 1400mg of DHA or EPA I missed it
You can always do a search of the transcript… It's always more comprehensive than the shownotes. Here are Bill's recommendations: 1.4g of EPA and 1g of DHA, but you also want to take at least 1g of ALA, which he personally gets from flaxseeds.
Hi Ben,
I don’t think he referenced the Fish Oils that you had listed. Pretty sure he EFA-sirt. Looks like it’s much more expensive on Amazon. Thoughts on his suggestion versus yours?
I'd say they're both solid options.
What about people that already have cancer or precancerous lesions? Those cells become immortal because of telemorase production. Seems like it would make fighting those cancer cells more difficult?
I enjoyed this podcast, Ben, for many reasons. I know Dr. Bill Andrews from my company and I have been taking Isagenix since it’s inception. I have had the occasion to ‘pick Dr. Bill’s brain on a couple of occasions. Dr. Bill’s wife Molly is also a long distance runner and a very sweet lady.
Isagenisis since it’s inception that is!
Probably one of the best podcasts that I have heard from you recently–and I am a super loyal listener! What I have learned from you has fundamentally changed my life–I have even tried some of your more out there protocols! So, I guess I am a biohacker as well :) I followed this up by reading the Kaufman Protocol. Sandra Kaufman does an incredible job of breaking down the essential process of aging–making the complex systems very understandable for the average person. This knowledge is a game changer for anyone who follows you and your tireless search for the latest science/research. I would love to see her as a guest on your show! I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and clients. Needless to say, I already heavily promote your Podcast and products :)
Thanks!
Thank you for yet another resourceful and progressive episode, Ben! One quick question, could you please recommend another high quality brand for Vitamin D/K complex available in Europe / Asia, considering that Thorne doesn’t ship outside the US. Much appreciated!
Hi.
You buy from IHerb. com
They have lots of stuff, also Thorne.
They ship to Europe..sometimes also with no shippingcost…depending on the priduct.
Excellent podcast! I would have loved to hear more about his Vegan diet (i’m glad he snuck that in) because I believe it plays a huge role and I think he would agree….
What about a shift to a whole food plant based diet. Just after hearing a good chunk of this interview I coincidentally stumbled across one of my nutrition hero’s video on extending telomeres. Instead of spending hundreds on supplements just eat vegetables and drop saturated fat.
https://youtu.be/CjpRagelODw
Where is the 80+ supplements list? Thsnks..
I take TAM818 and Isagenesis, I used to take TA65 from 2012 to 2015 and have tested my telomeres with Lifelength Lab..
I don't have the whole list, but his "heavy hitters" are linked in the shownotes.
I find it interesting how his products aren’t just ridiculously expensive, they are moronically expensive. The o ly people who could afford to use his supplements are the wealthy. Does he really expect us to believe price reflects production costs?
$100 for a bottle of 90 caplets? Sure. $150? Pushing it. $800??? Oh, he can f*ck right off!
Can you please try and get him on your podcast?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjpRagelODw
Ben: I was a bit surprised there was no mention of peptides for telomeres. I believe you mentioned a couple of years ago the peptide ephitalon as a potential telomere leghtening peptide. Has Dr. Andrews done any research on peptides related to telomeres or Ephitalon in particular? Thanks!
We didn't get into it directly, but epithalon has been shown to induce telomerase activity: https://goo.gl/aSj9xM
Is Epithalon part of Dr. Andrews personal protocol ? I was really looking forward to hearing you guys talk about, is there some reason it wasn’t mentioned? would love to hear your thoughts on dosage and the efficacy of it in future, thanks for another great episode ben!
Agreed, came here to make the same comment. Any reason it wasn’t discussed?
Thank you for your podcast Ben. I read your life book. Wonderful job. Keep the mission going. Great conversations. Thought + Emotion (energy) = chemical (hormone) energetic (CNS autonomic tone) response in the body (physical) which creates the communication to 100T cells. Each cell interprets the environment (cognitive function) which produces genetic expression (Peptide) which are sent and connect to form new cells. We are literally solidifying our thoughts and emotions into new cells, neuro pathways and environmental results. We are becoming what we think and feel the most. The thoughts come before the feeling, chemical/energy messages, cellular interpretation, genetic expression, peptide production and new cell formation. Bio-hacking the subconscious mind set is essential to realize our true highest potential. Begin with the End Result in Mind>>>Trigger>>>Awareness>>>Power of Free Will to Choose Thoughts to Promote New Neuropathways focused on the End Result in Mind. Reinforcing resistance to mission filled purpose is the greatest risk factor for every dis-ease leading to disease.
Thank You Ben, have to say the best podcast for me pertaining to Telomeres and the longevity discussion many are interested in especially me since I’m only 71 years young and expect to add on 50 healthy more… I’m holding on till I can get that Telomere to turn on…Excellent job to you and Dr. Bill Andrews.
Are you kidding me? $800 for one of the recommended supplements and $600 for the other. I guess only the rich get to enjoy longevity!
The greatest investment you can make is in health and longevity.
He did mention that the $800 was for a 3 month supply, but I understand it's still a bit pricey. Here's a great longevity resource to check out if your budget is limited: https://goo.gl/9nKxJ4
would bio identical hormones play a role in slowing down the rate of telomere shortening?
Hormones are chemical messengers in the body. When hormones are diminished then it changes the environment of the cells. The environment of the cells determines cellular genetic expression (on off). Read Biology of Belief and Molecules of Emotion if you have not already done so. Optimizing cellular communication through maximizing hormonal balance is a wonderful way to improve genetic expression. Peptide therapy is a great way to compliment BHRT. Peptides are the genetic expression of cells.
Noticably absent from the discussion was the peptide Epitalon / EPITHALON. As Dr. Andrews listed everything that he took to lengthen telomeres and increase telomerase, I assume that this is not believed to be effective. Curious that Ben did not ask him though, as I believe that he (Ben) uses the peptide as well.
Great podcast! Really enjoyed it and super interesting to see that endurance/ultra endurance (as long as not killing yourself) has that effect.