Prof. Elizabeth Blackburn won the Nobel Prize for understanding the mechanism of aging, which in the future may make people young forever • In an interview on the occasion of the publication of her book "The Telomere Effect", she reveals why people who control impulses prolong life, revealing our ability to control the aging mechanism
Illustration: Ruth Goyli
Announcements about the awarding of Nobel Prizes to one winner or another often provoke heated debates.
Among the experts, and also in the general public, opinions are usually heard here and there, and alongside the supporters of awarding the prize to Man Dhao, there are always opponents who will explain that the winner's contribution to the field in which he won was insignificant.
This was not the case when the names of the winners of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Medicine were announced upon learning of the winning professions of Professor Elizabeth Blackburn of the University of California, Carol Grader of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore and Jack Shostak of Boston General Hospital and the Howard Hughes Center. Unique and impressive consensus - these are the right people.The importance of the discoveries of the three winners left no room for doubt.They revealed one of the most sophisticated mechanisms in the human body: the mechanism of aging, or, if you will, the mechanism of eternal existence.
When Prof. Blackburn (72) explains the meaning of the revelation in a conversation with "Israel Today", it sounds not so complicated.
The long, convoluted DNA molecules that carry each of our genes are contracted into chromosomes. Blackburn's scientific work in the 1970s focused on the end region of chromosomes, known as telomeres, and she discovered that telomeres protect chromosomes from erosion. Next, the enzyme that builds these miraculous protective covers in DNA was identified, and it was given the name telomerase.
The protection of the chromosomes works similarly to the action life we are all familiar with.
The more coverage there is, the more effective the protection.
If the telomeres shorten, the cell ages.
In contrast, if telomerase activity is high, telomere length is maintained, and cell aging is delayed.
"If that's not enough, another discovery has been added to this discovery," Blackburn explains, "one would think that telomeres are simply realizing our genetic code and nothing more, that is, activating the time clock set for everyone according to their genes. But that's not the case. How the tip of the chromosome is protected by the telomeres, and how the telomeres are built by the telomerase, has led us to discover that telomeres are attentive.A person's lifestyle can, in effect, instruct telomeres to accelerate the aging process of cells, or prevent premature aging. The key to my health and longevity and the ability to influence my fate. "
Prof. Blackburn's
Miracle Cocktail has
paved the way for a whole new field of scientific understanding.
It turned out that telomeres, which make up less than 0.0001 of all DNA in the human body, have a huge impact on us, and at the same time we have a way of influencing telomeres. Another study, in which Prof. Blackburn Dr. Alicia Apple, a mental health psychologist , Gave birth to the book "The Telomere Effect", which was recently published in Hebrew (published by Prague; Hebrew translation: Udi Tagri), and introduced a completely new concept of health.
Blackburn and Apple's main claim is no less dramatic.
According to their research findings, the thoughts we think, our response patterns to emotional difficulties, the food we eat, our relationships with other people and even our neighborhoods - all of these affect telomeres.
We want to extend them and ensure the healthy regeneration of the cells.
In our disregard we will cause them to shorten, and the cells that will age will cause a wide range of old age diseases.
Most of these diseases, Blackburn and Apple believe, are caused by telomere erosion, and the good news is that this erosion can be stopped and even reversed.
These findings are backed up by the results of studies.
One of the largest, held in Denmark in 2015 and involving more than 64,000 participants, showed that short telomeres increase the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and generally predict premature death, while at the same time establishing the power of long telomeres.
As a result of further studies it has been found that there are telomere-friendly personality traits.
In general, people who "do the right thing," that is, people with self-discipline and good control of impulses, hardworking, strict, thorough, and conscientious people, have been diagnosed with long telomeres.
In contrast, moods like cynicism, hostility and pessimism can harm telomeres.
"We mentioned in a fascinating experiment book," notes Dr. Apple. "Teachers were asked to rate very young students according to a set of personal characteristics.
Forty years later, those students ranked at the top of the list had longer telomeres relative to those ranked at the bottom of the list.
The set of good qualities predicted longevity even after whole decades.
Want a better and longer life?
Get rid of negative thinking patterns. "
Blackburn and Apple's bold view sees the human body and mind as a kind of laboratory of renewal.
The telomerase restores and renews the telomeres, replacing worn protective shields, and why not know how to regulate this level of "eternity potion"?
Admittedly, there is no neighborhood bar, at least for the time being, where the client will be served a cocktail of the wonder enzyme that will allow them to live in full health until maximum human life expectancy is reached and possibly beyond.
There are other, less realistic and less imaginative ways.
The “telomere effect” describes, for example, a study that found that a strong sense of purpose probably contributes to the secretion of telomerase.
And if we still insist on a liquid potion, then we have coffee.
To date, only a single, relatively small study has been conducted to examine the relationship between consumption of the favorite beverage along telomeres, but its results are promising.
The researchers examined whether coffee might improve the health of 40 subjects with chronic liver disease.
They were randomly divided into two groups - in one participant they drank four cups of coffee a day, in the other the participants did not consume coffee at all.
Blood tests of members of the first group showed significantly longer telomeres after the end of the period, as well as fewer oxidizing factors than among members of the second group.
Blackburn and Apple's dietary recommendations are not really surprising.
Foods that are said to be associated with telomere elongation are considered healthy anyway, and these are vegetables and fruits, whole grains, algae and foods that contain omega 3 acids (salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines), nuts, seeds and legumes.
In red meat, and especially in processed meat, it is recommended to reduce it, as well as in sugary drinks and foods.
"In Israel, it's not difficult, a Mediterranean menu does the telomeres a favor," Apple adds with a smile.
If we mentioned a smile, then it is also related to telomeres.
Blackburn and Apple may not be familiar with the origins of the Chassidic saying "a great commandment to always be happy," but they are willing to sign it and tell about the scientific foundation behind it: "Body cells 'listen' to thoughts and feelings. It sounds almost obvious, but there is also the obvious Positive studies, such as joy and self-fulfillment, prolong telomeres and delay aging. Feelings of distress and stress work the opposite way, not just in humans. Scientists have tested this by adding cortisol stress hormone to cormorant chicks - among these birds. Shorter telomeres were found compared to a control group that received normal water.Even parrots kept in isolation, detached from ties with their peers, develop short telomeres.
Caution:
Fearless
chronic
stress, occasional or weak stresses, which are characteristic of the normal reality of life, do not affect telomeres.
"Toxic pressure", meaning severe pressure that lasts for years, is a different story.
It can gnaw at the telomerase stores and shorten the telomeres, which will weaken the function of the immune system, making a person vulnerable even to normal colds.
"Research in this area continues all the time, and new findings are added accordingly," says Prof. Blackburn.
"In the three years since the 'telomere effect' was published in English, we have been exposed to more and more fascinating data, so the progress does not stop. The last year, which was characterized by the corona epidemic, also contributed, especially in the context of the need to examine the link between telomeres and the immune system. We are conducting research that should provide an answer to the question of the correlation between telomere length and the effectiveness of the vaccine effect against the corona virus. "
The global epidemic has highlighted the importance of science as the savior of humanity, but at the same time we have come to know that unscientific conspiracy theories are capable of sweeping masses of people.
It seems that the corona plague has nevertheless contributed more to emphasizing the positive aspect of science.
It has been a tremendous and glorious year for science.
The rapid invention of the vaccine and its high efficacy were proof of the paramount importance of scientific research and the necessity of greater financial investment in science, for the vaccine was not really developed during this year, is the result of many years of research.
"However, I agree that sometimes the gap between the scientific peaks we have conquered and the reality that surrounds us all in moments of simple crisis is jarring. So it is these days, when on the one hand we watched in amazement NASA's lander landing on Mars and marveled at the amazing images it transmitted. We looked heartbreakingly at the inability to organize an effective immunization campaign against Corona in the US, a rich and resourceful country where me and Dr. Apple live.
In Israel, it has become much better. "
Why are most Nobel laureates men?
If money cannot buy an efficient organization of vaccines, is it in a position to buy long telomeres?
"It is not necessary to be rich to get long telomeres, but it is advisable not to be rebellious. A study of 200 black children in New Orleans found clocks linked to telomere shortening. But once your basic needs are met, more money has no further effect. No consistent correlation was found. "However, education and social status, which are often due to or related to the rate of income, are actually good predictors of telomere elongation. This phenomenon is demonstrated in twins who grew up together and carry a similar genetic load, but as adults have different professional and social status."
Is it possible to produce a tested recipe for anti-aging?
"Aging can not be completely prevented, but aging can be controlled. In my opinion, the great achievement lies in achieving measurability - after we learned to measure the length of telomeres, the various studies could provide tools to assess the impact of various components in our lives on their shortening or elongation. Our guidance theory was born. We have endeavored to gather in the Telomere Effect the best tips for achieving the goal of aging control, along with scientific explanations.
"When you want to apply these tips, remember to approach them all in moderation.
People are often prone to extremes, which is harmful.
For example, we discuss at length the positive effect of physical training on telomeres and recommend engaging in sports activities, but excessive physical exertion and overtraining can actually cause serious damage to you and the telomeres in your body. "
You won the Nobel Prize even before the claim arose to bring gender diversity among recipients. Demanding more scientific awards for women?
”Unlike human beings, telomeres I deal with are not judgmental, they are objective and impartial.
Humans, as we know, have a variety of different motives, some of which are not necessarily objective.
For example, many tend to point out the similarities favorably, and pay less attention to the different.
Almost naturally, if the members of the judging committees who select the winners are mostly men, their tendency will be to notice first and foremost the studies of male colleagues.
"If the plaintiffs to increase the number of Nobel Prizes for women aim to compromise at the scientific level to increase the rate of bride awards, I of course oppose. But in my view, you mean otherwise. They intend to bring about wider exposure of scientific work done by women. "The choice of the winner wisely. We all, women and men, will only benefit from this process and from its fruits."
