Israel has always been one of the leading countries when it comes to scientific research, thanks mainly to the high regard it places for both science and technology.
Scientists from Tel Aviv University and Shamir Medical Center recently conducted research that demonstrated how hyperbaric oxygen therapy could reverse aging processes in adult blood cells treated with oxygen therapy – as their research demonstrated this phenomenon, showing their blood cells becoming younger over time.
Telomeres
Israeli scientists have discovered a way to reverse biological aging with pressurized chambers filled with oxygen. Their study, published in Aging journal, demonstrated how this form of hyperbaric oxygen therapy allowed healthy adults to stop blood cells from aging prematurely while actually making them younger-looking. They attribute this discovery to its effect on increasing activity of telomerase protein which protects chromosome ends from shortening too quickly.
Scientists have long understood that the length of a cell’s telomeres determines its ability to divide before becoming damaged and incapable of reproduction. When these telomeres shorten, cells enter senescence or self-destruct. But scientists also know that by adding small fragments of DNA each time a cell divides, telomerase can counteract any shortening and add fresh DNA onto each chromosome end thereby prolonging lifespan.
Studies have demonstrated that lifestyle factors, including diet and exercise, can impact the rate at which telomeres shorten. Furthermore, certain diseases and environmental factors may speed this up further; additionally telomeres may even be heritable and provide insight into an individual’s biological age.
Normal cells’ telomeres shorten with each division, eventually becoming dysfunctional and no longer capable of replicating. Humans with limited reproductive span may encounter shortening telomeres which trigger senescence or apoptosis (self-destruct) of their cell and lead them towards self-destruction through cell senescence or apoptosis, inducing cell death through either process.
Telomeres are important structures that provide stability to chromosome ends. In order to keep telomeres from becoming too short, each cell contains an inbuilt mechanism known as the T-loop or T-loop complex containing proteins hTR and hTERT that assist with maintaining their length by undoing damage caused by cell division cycles.
As the telomeres shorten over time, mutations to DNA may arise that ultimately cause cell dysfunction. Therefore, it is vital to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet to lower chronic disease rates and halt the aging process.
Senescent cells
As cells divide, telomeres (the nucleotides at the ends of chromosomes that hold together nucleotide chains called telomeres) become shorter as chromosomes divide. When too few nucleotides remain at either end, senescence occurs: when enough nucleotides have eroded away for this process to continue and accumulate over time causing diseases associated with ageing such as atherosclerosis or cancer.
Researchers have recently demonstrated how eliminating senescent cells can restore normal function and slow disease progression, fueling interest in “senolytic” drugs that target these harmful cells to extend life by freeing resources for healthier cells that will ultimately proliferate over time. This work has sparked renewed interest in “senolytic” treatments which aim to restore normal functions while protecting against future illnesses by killing these harmful ones off.
This study, published in Aging Cell, employed six chemical cocktails to reprogram senescent cells into functioning more like young ones, with one cocktail having the greatest impact in reducing estimated chronological age by several years after only four days of treatment.
Scientists have long been intrigued by cellular senescence. Leonard Hayflick, Ph.D., challenged the popular perception that human cells could continue to divide unchecked in laboratory cultures by showing they eventually reach a limit and begin degrading. Yet senescence also provides several important biological functions, including helping prevent tumorigenesis and speed wound healing.
Senescence can have both short- and long-term negative repercussions. Not only can it increase inflammation, it can also trigger the production of reactive oxygen species that damage cells resulting in cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s.
Senescent cells release bioactive molecules known as the Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP), which may lead to chronic inflammation and tissue degradation as well as reduced levels of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, an essential coenzyme involved in redox reactions. This research is an essential step toward developing therapeutic approaches that effectively remove harmful senescent cells from our bodies.
This research may provide hope to older individuals concerned about losing their independence as they get older. Though modern medicine has increased life expectancies, many elderly suffer from conditions associated with aging like dementia and osteoporosis that diminish quality of life.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves inhaling pure oxygen while inside of a pressurized chamber, increasing blood flow by providing additional oxygen directly to damaged areas that don’t get enough through normal circulation. This treatment is an invaluable weapon against aging as it stimulates cell and tissue regeneration while speeding healing processes.
Studies have demonstrated the power of HBOT to combat aging by slowing cellular degeneration and increasing stem cell activity in the body. Furthermore, HBOT can increase circulation by encouraging new blood vessel formation in injured tissues for improved circulation – leading more people towards this therapy as an anti-ageing solution.
Scientists from Tel Aviv University and Shamir Medical Center in Israel have discovered that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can slow or even reverse blood cell aging. Their study demonstrated this with patients receiving HBOT; their telomeres became longer. Furthermore, the number of senescent cells decreased due to oxygen therapy’s effect of stimulating more stem cell production within their bodies.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has the power to reverse aging by stimulating stem cells, increasing production of new blood vessels, and decreasing inflammation. Furthermore, it reduces oxidative stress while simultaneously activating DNA repair mechanisms – it may even reverse effects of cellular aging by stimulating anti-aging transformations within mitochondria.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers more than anti-ageing effects; it can also assist patients in treating other health conditions. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may reduce symptoms of chronic fatigue, enhance sleep quality and make your immune system work more effectively; it may even increase circulation and heal injuries faster!
Israel boasts seven research universities and numerous other institutes and centers that conduct scientific research, such as the Volcani Institute of Agricultural Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Tel Aviv University, and Weizmann Institute of Science. Furthermore, Misrad Haklita and Alon provide assistance for new Olim to integrate into Israeli R&D.
Shai Efrati
Shai Efrati, an Israeli physician, has been fielding questions regarding his research revealing that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may reverse cellular aging processes. Recently he joined ISRAEL21c on Zoom to discuss what his study means.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves inhaling various concentrations of high-pressure oxygen to facilitate healing in the body. It has been used successfully in treating decompression sickness and diabetic skin wounds to carbon monoxide poisoning and bone infections; more recently it is being utilized as part of stroke recovery plans as well.
Efrati’s research, published in Aging journal, demonstrated that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) exposure could effectively reverse two key indicators of biological aging – DNA telomere shortening and accumulation of damaged cells known as senescent cells – both known to lead to inflammation and other health complications. His results demonstrated this reduction with just one round of HBOT treatment.
Efrati and his team of researchers conducted this study by subjecting 35 healthy 64-year-old volunteers to 60 two-hour HBOT sessions over 90 days, during which their blood was examined for signs of aging such as the length of telomeres and number of senescent cells; respectively, these measures saw increases of up to 38 percent and reductions by 37 percent, respectively.
HBOT may help to slow the aging process, but other lifestyle practices may also aid. Regular exercise can improve circulation and energy metabolism while simultaneously relieving stress linked to an accelerated shortening of telomeres. A diet low in processed foods and rich in fruits and vegetables is also thought to promote health while decreasing cognitive decline risk.
Reversing aging biomarkers requires dedication and consistency. An integrated program combining HBOT, cognitive and physical training, nutritional coaching and lifestyle changes such as changes to sleep hygiene practices are needed to deliver long-term anti-ageing benefits. Aviv Clinics offers this comprehensive approach where Dr. Efrati has developed a specific HBOT protocol which boosts both physical and mental performance.
