Telomeres are DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes, like a protective sheath. Telomeres were compared with the small pieces of plastic that protect the ends of the shoe laces preventing their untangling. Chromosomes contain the genetic material. Untangling may damage chromosomes and thus alter their genetic material or merging with other chromosomes leading to a mutant DNA.

In 1961 the scientist Hayflick said that aging (senescence) is a stage marked by morphological and biochemical alteration phenomena causing the body cells to cease proliferating because they have reached the limit of replicative life. Replication (regeneration) of cells is a process by which a cell divides into one “new” which theoretically should be identical, and in particular should contain an identical copy of DNA. James Watson, the discoverer of DNA observed what he called “end replication problem”, i.e. the inability to correctly copy all of the DNA, leaving not copied identically a small sheath located at the end, the sheath which he called “telomere”. Russian scientist Olovnikov could find link between cellular senescence and terminal replication problem described by Hayflick. For Olovnikov “end replication problem” was due to progressive shortening of chromosome ends (telomeres) functioning as a “molecular clock” that sets the maximum number of cell divisions throughout life, thus directly controlling the process of aging and life span of an individual.

Division and cell replication is the natural process by which cells are regularly replaced with new ones. But as Hayflick observed, a cell can replicate only a limited number of times, defining the physiological age and lifespan of everyone. This limited number of divisions is dependent on telomere length. Based on the Hayflick limit theory and on the latest statistics, chronological age the man could reach is approximately 120-125 years. After each cell division telomeres shorten. Over time, telomeres shorten to the maximum when the cell receives the signal “stop” and no longer divides. It is the moment when the aging (senescence) of that cell starts and it lasts until de cell is exhausted and receives the signal to die (apoptosis). In cases where the telomere is too short but the cell continues to divide, the chromosome is “falling apart” to a non-functional, mutant cell that does not die, such as is the case with cancer cells.

As each individual is genetically different and also lives in a different psycho-physical environment, telomere shortening process varies from one individual to another, resulting in a lifetime variable from one individual to another.

A weakened immune system can also be a factor in accelerating telomere shortening leading to accelerated aging and a shorter lifespan. In fact, lymphocyte and granulocytes telomere shortening also lead to a weakened immune system, creating a vicious circle. Immune cells in the blood regenerate from stem cells. It is therefore necessary that the body produces sufficient stem cells. A stem cell deficiency leads to the aging of lymphocytes and granulocytes due to the shortening of their telomeres.

Below is the statistical evolution of telomeres length with chronological age of lymphocytes and granulocytes telomeres length:

In 2009, Carol Greider and Elizabeth H. Blackburn won the Nobel Prize for the discovery of the enzyme telomerase. The enzyme telomerase is a protein produced by the body, activated and circulated in order to control the integrity of DNA and telomere length.

As we age, the body does not produce enough telomerase as well as the mechanisms for it’s activation leading to the “normal” aging process. Production and circulation of this important enzyme can be disturbed by various stress factors (weakened immune system, poor diet , free radicals, disordered life, daily stress, mental states, repeated ilnesses, etc.) leading to an acceleration of the aging process. If an insufficient amount of telomerase is circulated in the body or if due to various stressors telomerase fails to bind to the cell nucleus, the consequence is a deficiency in controlling telomere shortening resulting in their accelerated shortening therefore leading to the acceleration of aging and the apparition of various degenerative diseases sometimes labelled as “specific to aging”.

In vivo, replicative somatic cell telomere length is inversely correlated with age and is associated with age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease. There have been reports of association with telomere shortening of different diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, arteriosclerosis, vascular dementia and other degenerative diseases. It was also found a correlation between telomere length and mortality caused by cardiovascular disease.

Maintaining a strong immune system and maintaining an adequate amount of circulating telomerase, telomere shortening can be controlled and the effect can stop degenerative diseases, the aging can be slowed down and some effects of aging may even be reversed. There were concerns that activating telomerase leads to immortality of malignant cells. This theory was proved not to be correct because malignant cells are immortal anyway and their telomerase activity are different from normal cells.

Chronological age, physiological age and anti-aging

Chronological age is defined the age measured in years of life. Physiological age is the age expressed as chronological age of a normal individual with the same physiological characteristics (physical appearance, organs functionality). As in the popular expression “do not show their age.” As an example, an individual may have the chronological age of 50 years and physiological age of 40 years, that is similar to a healthy individual with chronological age of 40 years.

In the fight against aging is not enough to just the chronological age. We need to slow down and even reverse the effects of physiological aging.

Konig Revital-TA telomerase Activator contains a unique orthomolecular formulation aimed at stimulating the release and circulate the enzyme telomerase together with nutraceuticals that provide support to continuing cell division and correct DNA replication.

What are the basic ingredients in Konig Revital-TA?

The ingredient directly involved in activating telomerase is TA-100S.

TA-100 is proprietary small size molecule Cycloastragenol sulphate (clusters of 1-2 molecules). Cycloastragenol, an aglycone of Astragaloside IV (an extract from Astragalus membranaceus), has been clinically proven as the most effective activator of telomerase both in terms of stimulating the body to produce enough telomerase and it’s activation and circulation. Sulphatation by a proprietary method increases the absorption in the intestine and the bioavailability thereafter.

Astragalosida IV is a triterpenoid that acts synergistically with cicloastragenolul.

Colostrum concentrate containing 30% immunoglobulin G (IgG) with 20x concentrated extract of Astragalus are potent stimulators of the immune system, an important condition for maintaining telomere and DNA integrity. Colostrum also contains growth factors required for somatic cell replication.

P43 protein from Saccharomyces Cervisiae is important for anchoring telomerase to the cell nucleus, without which the telomerase effect would be diminished or even absent.

Nucleic acids and especially Ribonucleic acid (RNA) and placenta extract contain polynucleotides that help correct telomere replication in cell division by activating an important element of telomerase namely human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT).

Revital-TA also contains a chain of amino acids demonstrated by Russian scientist Olovnikov as co-factors in maintaining telomere integrity.

All ingredients act synergistically to promote DNA telomere repair, maintain telomeres length while promoting rejuvenation by stimulating correct cell division and DNA replication.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Recommended way of use:

• 2 capsules per day on the empty stomach before bedtime or as recommended by your doctor.
• Administration can be increased up to 4 capsules a day after age 50-60 years or earlier in cases of aggressive physiological aging.