Service your car? Of course! Service your telomeres? What?

This week, with Ruth and I leading a cancer residential program in Auckland, my old veterinary friend Dr Trevor Chatham contributes a guest post on how just like servicing your car, you can support your telomeres, prevent illness, increase your quality of life and add years to your life.

We all know what happens if you get a new car, drive it, refuel it, keep driving it, but never service it. Nothing initially. It will keep going for a while. You will actually save both time and money in the short term. But we all know that sooner or later, things will start to go badly wrong.

Ever thought of taking routine care of your telomeres? Lets go Out on a Limb once more with Trevor and find out what is on offer; then more details of Meditation in the Desert, and also how you can obtain a 20% discount to one of the very best conferences, Mind and its Potential, but first





              Thought for the day

                      
                      A real friend
                      Is one who walks in
                      When the rest of the world walks out.
                                    
                                     Walter Winchell




Trevor writes:
If we do not service our cars, we do not know exactly what will breakdown first, but we can be sure that it will not be a happy ending. We can also be fairly sure that an unserviced car will cease to function many, many years earlier than an identical car, using identical fuel, and driven in the same manner.

Similarly, we know that we may not even notice any immediate changes when we do the right thing and we do have our car serviced routinely.

But the vast majority of people do it anyway because they are aware that by doing so, the vehicle will run well for a long time to come.

Looking after your car, servicing your car, is like looking after your telomeres.


Telomeres as many of you will know by now, are the recently discovered protective end pieces on our chromosomes (that contain our genes and are made up of DNA). Australian Elizabeth Blackburn was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2009 for the discovery of how chromosomes are protected by these things called telomeres along with the enzyme telomerase.

All the cells in our body need to divide and reproduce from time to time. As they do so, the chromosomes in each and every one of those cells need to divide and replicate. As the chromosomes do this, the telomeres at their ends gradually fray and become shorter.


As our telomeres become shorter, all sorts of difficult health issues arise and when they become too short, quite simply, our cells can no longer replicate and we die.


Telomere shortening is now well proven to be a key factor in ageing, the development of chronic degenerative disease and the key determinant in “dying of old age”. If nothing else causes death first, short telomeres will.


Cancer, Heart Attacks, Alzhiemer’s Disease, Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and many other conditions have all been associated with short telomeres. People who develop cancer and have shorter telomeres, are much more likely to die of their illness than people with longer telomeres.

Clearly, telomere length is of vital significance to our health and our longevity.

The latest scientific discoveries would indicate that if you are not choosing to actively support your telomeres you are doing the same thing as the person who is choosing not to service their car. You may be saving money in the short term, but you are heading for trouble much sooner that you need be.

One key to a long life and to good health is to keep your telomeres long. How to do it?

“Well I eat well!”

You may do, but that is no different to using premium fuel in your car. It helps in the day-today running of the car and is useful, but you still need to service the vehicle. Even human cells kept in perfect conditions in a petri dish with all the nutrients they need cease operating and dividing due to telomere shortening.

Product B is the only product registered with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration for its capacity to support telomeres. Product B contains a blend of herbs carefully selected and researched for their capacity to support telomere function. Product B offers a simple solution.

There is good research showing the herbs in Product B also support immune function and have anti-cancer properties in their own right (see a summary of this research at www.herbalts.com).


You support your car with regular services because it is normal to do so and you understand why it is important.

What is worth more to you, your car or your health?

Both need regular servicing and support.

Actively supporting your telomeres will enable you to live a longer and healthier life.


At this point in time most people do not fully understand the importance of supporting their telomeres because this knowledge is something relatively new. Sadly, the vast majority of people are getting sicker and dying well before the 120 years that both scientists and God say we should be able to live.

For a full understanding of how Telomere Support will affect you and how it has already helped others watch Dr Bill Andrews as he presents to a large group of Anti-Aging medical specialists in the video on www.restoremybody.net
                                   
To order Product B, go to www.herbalts.com

May God bless you in all that you do.

Dr Trevor Chatham BVSc
Mobile  : +61(0)414 627 833
Email   : trevorchatham@gmail.com
Skype  : trevor.chatham

RELATED BLOGS
Size does matter. Dogs, telomeres, cancer and you

Is this the elixir of youth?

NOTICEBOARD

1. Meditation in the Desert  : August 29 – September 7 – FILLING FAST

Come, join Ruth and myself along with like-minded people for 7 days of meditation in the extraordinary atmosphere of the Central Australian desert, followed by several days of close contact with senior local indigenous leaders. Opportunity of a lifetime.

Secure your place with a deposit. For details CLICK HERE

Sharing stories as one part of Meditation in the Desert:

2. Mind and its Potential is one of the very best conferences and this year’s line-up of speakers is exceptional. As readers of my blog, you can use the code below and register with a 20% discount – very good value!!!


Mind & Its Potential 2014         27 & 28 October 2014 | The Concourse, Chatswood, Sydney

What is your true potential? Can you really train your brain?
How can you thrive?

Learn, network, be engaged and motivated at Mind & Its Potential 2014! Explore the latest science of neuroplasticity and discover how individuals, organisations and companies can do extraordinary things to improve wellbeing and productivity.

With 30+ world renowned international and local speakers this event is an essential ‘to-do’ for maximising your potential in all aspects of life.

As a supporting organisation we have secured a 20% discount for our contacts.

THE EARLIER YOU BOOK THE MORE YOU SAVE!
• Book before 27 June and save $380 off the full 2 day conference fee and $640 off the full 4 day gold pass fee (including workshops).
• Book before 19 September and save $300 off the full 2 day conference fee and $500 off the full 4 day gold pass fee (including workshops).

Book online using VIP code MBM or call (02) 8719 5118 to register. CLICK HERE


KEYNOTES INCLUDE:

• Professor Michael Merzenich, USA, world’s foremost expert on the science of brain training who featured in ABC TV hit series Redesign My Brain as Todd Sampson’s mentor
• Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, India, a remarkable woman who spent 12 years alone meditating in the Himalayas as featured in the international best-selling book Cave in the Snow
• Dr Linda E Carlson, Canada, pioneering psycho-oncology researcher and expert on mindfulness as a health intervention
• B. Alan Wallace, USA, inspiring teacher and leading scholar of Eastern and Western scientific, philosophical and contemplative modes of inquiry
• Dr Jenni Ogden, New Zealand, clinical neuropsychologist, blogger for Psychology Today and author of Trouble in Mind, a memoir in the spirit of Oliver Sacks
• Richard Gill OAM, internationally respected music educator and conductor and ABC TV’s Spicks and Specks panellist
• Adam Spencer, outstanding science communicator, broadcaster, author and maths geek with 1.2 million+ views for his famous TED talk!
www.mindanditspotential.com.au

Size does matter! Dogs, telomeres, cancer and you

Ever wondered why dogs age so much faster than their owners? Interested in how it may be possible to help dogs with cancer through natural means – and what we may infer from this for us humans?

This week we go Out on a Limb and consider how telomere support may not only delay aging but may even be helpful against cancer. Also, an important reminder that the early bird discounted rate to attend Meditation in the Desert closes soon – March 31st, but first




               Thought for the Day

                      When another person makes you suffer
                      It is because he suffers deeply within himself
                      And his suffering is spilling over.
                      He does not need punishment,
                      He needs help. 

                            Thich Nhat Hanh








Remember how we often say one year of dog life is equivalent to 7 years of human life? Remember telomeres? They are the protective caps on the end of our DNA. I have written a couple of previous blogs on how aging in humans is directly related to the rate at which our telomeres shorten (see links below) so maybe it is not surprising to learn that research published recently showed that the aging of dogs, cats and horses is all directly associated with telomere shortening.

This research also found that in broad terms the telomere biology of canines and humans is similar, but that dogs lose telomere DNA about 10 times faster than humans. Also, the lifespan of each particular dog breed correlates positively with the average telomere length of that particular breed.



This is linked to another fact you probably are aware of and that is certain breeds of dogs are much more likely to die at a younger age and also to get more cancers than other breeds.

Boxers are a good example of this – they die young and are very prone to cancer – and as a breed they have relatively short telomeres!




REFERENCE: Fick L J et al. Telomere Length Correlates with Life Span of Dog Breeds. Cell Reports 2, 1530–1536, December 27, 2012

The original paper includes a  ‘List of Average Telomere Lengths and Life Spans for 15 Major Breeds Examined’.  To read it CLICK HERE      

Coming from a veterinary background myself, I have been very interested to hear from people giving their animals Product B. Product B is the synergistic combination of herbs that is the only Australian product currently registered as providing telomere support by the TGA.

I have a friend whose Golden Retriever was diagnosed about 2 years ago with an extensive and very difficult cancer. I had referred this friend to a top Veterinary surgeon who was able to operate where others had said they could not, but even so the operation was only partially successful and the prognosis was given that the dog was very unlikely to live beyond Christmas of 2012.

I remember visiting in October 2013. The dog was running around like a spring puppy, full of beans and showing no signs of the cancer. Sadly she did deteriorate rapidly just before this last Christmas and died having lived both very well and way beyond reasonable expectations.

Was the dog just lucky? Was it the Product B she was given twice daily?

Through my old veterinary friend Trevor Chatham who many will know is passionate about Product B, I have become aware of numerous other dogs that have been given Product B. It seems that in nearly every case the dogs have responded very well to the product and have started aging youthfully!

According to Trevor, conditions in dogs and cats that may be helped by giving them a Telomere Support product such as Product B include:
1.   Slowing down and decreased mobility due to old age

2.   Hormonal issues related to old age

3.   Some cancers

Trevor has collected some amazing stories that support his conclusions and you will find them inspiring. I would love to hear from anyone else who has an animal and Product B story.

1. Vicky’s dog had a Grade 2 Mast Cell Tumour :  Click here.

2. Margo’s 18 year old dog :  Click here.

3. Garth’s 10 year old dog :  Click here.

WHY PRODUCT B?
The significance of telomeres and their length is becoming more and more evident. The faster your telomeres shorten, the more rapidly you show the signs of ageing and the more likely you are to get any of the chronic degenerative diseases. For anyone who does happens to get cancer, the evidence is clear. The more you can protect or lengthen your telomeres, the more likely you are to survive.

Speaking more generally again, the evidence also suggests that the more you can protect your telomeres and maintain their length, the more good health is likely to last into a long and vibrant old age.

We know that a healthy lifestyle and meditation can protect telomeres and both have been associated with actually lengthening them. Both make sense on telomere grounds!

Product B is the only product to have been registered to date with the TGA (Australian Government Therapeutic Goods Administration) as a formulation that provides telomere support as well as for its other potential benefits. I have been recommending it to others for around 18 months now and have had nothing but good feedback,

Speaking personally, I have been taking Product B myself for over 18months and notice real benefits. I am convinced my memory has improved, my energy levels are higher (they were already pretty good) and from all the science, it is highly likely the telomeres are longer! It is the only supplement I take these days unless travelling when I usually take some extra multivitamin/minerals and Vit C.

Also, if cancer came again, Product B would be the one herbal combination I would take. This is based on the research collated on the HerbalTS website I put together where Product B can be ordered: CLICK HERE www.herbalts.net

Wishing you and your animals long and healthy lives!

RELATED BLOGS
Is this the elixir of youth?

DNA and the dangly bits

NOTICEBOARD
Meditation in the Desert – Early bird discounted rates close March 31st, 2014

Dates: Friday August  29th; meeting at 4pm, to Sunday September 7th around 4pm, 2014.

For thousands of years, deserts have been places of inspiration and renewal for those on the spiritual journey. Join like-minded people and share a unique experience in the Central Australian Desert. Immerse yourself in meditation, join in noble conversation amidst noble company, and take the opportunity to reconnect with the essence of who you really are.

After a week of meditation in the desert north west of Alice Springs comes an extraordinary invitation to enter into the spirit of this land sharing several days with its senior indigenous custodians. The experience of a lifetime.

Venue
Hamilton Downs, an historic homestead 1 ½ hours drive from Alice Springs that looks out over the Western MacDonnell Ranges (photo above). This is a remote location and as such basic good health is a pre-requisite to attend.

Departure and return point: The Chifley Hotel, Stott Terrace, Alice Springs. Special rates are available at the Chifley.

Cost
Includes accommodation* and dinner at the Chifley for August 29th along with breakfast August 30th. Also included is bus transport from Alice Springs to Hamilton Downs and back, the retreat, basic bunk style accommodation or choice of using a swag to sleep under the stars (swag complementary), high quality vegetarian meals and the Indigenous cultural exchange content.

More details CLICK HERE

Enquiries and Bookings
Email info@insighthealth.com.au or call +61 (3) 59666130

This retreat is very popular and regularly fills, so we recommend early booking secured with your deposit. Remember, the early bird discounted rate closes March 31st.

Add on Tour
Many people take the opportunity to visit other places of significance when they come to the Central Desert. We have negotiated a specific post retreat tour that you may like to consider and participate in with your fellow retreatants. This tour will need to be booked directly with the organizers Wayoutback Safaris LINK HERE

Ian Gawler Blog: Eating well, Being well – and the new edition of “You Can Conquer Cancer” is released.

What a delight to speak at the Gawler Foundation’s conference this last weekend, presenting dietary guidelines and some of the exciting research linking nutritional changes with increased survival.

Great chance to catch up with old friends like Petrea King and Dr Craig Hassed and to have the honour of sharing the stage with them. Then there was the opportunity to meet up again with people who came to groups in days gone by. People like the lady who had secondary breast cancer 7 years ago and looks radiantly well. When asked what had helped her most, she thought for a moment, then shared the fact of learning to love herself enough to really care about what she ate, how often she meditated and so on. A real confirmation of Jess' guest blog from last week. Her new husband chimed in with how much he admires her capacity to make those choices and stick by them; how diligent she is.

Lots of new people to meet as well and my new edition of “You Can Conquer Cancer” arrived mid morning on the Saturday, hot of the press as they say! That’s synchronicity for you.

I had the opportunity to speak on the therapeutic potential of food – a vast topic!

A key point. Anyone who might be silly enough these days to say there is no evidence that changing your diet can improve cancer outcomes is just not keeping up with the research.

At the conference I shared 17 recent studies that come from the last few years and typify the exciting times we live in as research is making clear the powerful the between what you eat and cancer recovery. For over 30 years my clinical experience has been that food can be used therapeutically in cancer medicine, now we are getting some good confirmation via the research.

In the new edition of “You Can Conquer Cancer”, there are several fully rewritten chapters on cancer and food and nutrition, providing the detail of how to put all this into action; how to convert the theory into a meal.

The new book is just that, virtually a new book given the rewrite has been so thorough. So for anyone dealing with cancer, for anyone keen on not getting cancer, for anyone interested in a comprehensive, healthy lifestyle, the new book is recommended.

As promised here are the research articles linking cancer and nutrition, reproduced via “Out on a Limb”, and the dietary guidelines in summary. Again, the details are in the new book.

1. NUTRITION & LIFESTYLE prevents 40% of breast cancers by
i) Being lean
ii) Exercising 30 mins/day
iii) One alcoholic drink/day - max
iv) Women breastfeeding exclusively for 6mths
                                     Based on 954 studies: AICR & WCRF 2009

2. FOOD & EXERCISE SAVE LIVES
A major review of breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer concluded:
i) Observational studies suggest a low-fat, high-fibre diet might be protective against cancer recurrence and progression.
ii) There is more support for physical activity, with a dose response for better outcomes.
                                     Davies, N J, Br J Cancer, 2011
      More detail:Blog:  Let food be your medicine – 18 & 25/6/2012

3. LIFESTYLE CHANGES AFFECT BREAST CANCER RECURRENCES
i) Healthy weight decreases secondaries by 40 – 50% c.w. being obese.
ii) Seven or more alcoholic drinks per week almost doubles the risk of cancer in the opposite breast.
iii) Smoking & drinking:  increases the risk of cancer in the opposite breast by 7.2 times.

4. META-INFLAMMATION FEEDS DEGENERATIVE DISEASES
Meta-inflammation is low-level, systemic inflammation:
   - A major factor in most chronic degenerative diseases including cancer
   - Modern nutrition is a significant “inducer”
          Egger,G ACNEM Journal, Mar 2012, Vol 31 No 1 P12-14
 Inflammation potentiates active cancers.
 Improve the diet, reduce inflammation, assist recovery.

5. WESTERN DIET is BAD NEWS
High intake of meat, fat, refined grains & sugary desserts is associated with a
3x increase in colon cancer recurrence and death
                 Meyerhardt, JA et al, JAMA 2007;298:754-764

6. LOW CARBS REDUCE RISK of CANCER DEATH
High carbohydrate intake and high glycaemic load is associated with a
2x increase in colon cancer recurrence and death.
But only in the overweight and obese.
             Meyerhardt JA et al, J Natl Cancer Inst Nov 2012

7. Differential Stress Resistance
FASTING
For normal cells – increases protection
For cancer cells – increases vulnerability
Fasting around chemotherapy leads to:  
i) Better outcomes
ii) Less side-effects
                             Lee C, Volgo et al, Sci Trans Med 2012

8. CUT the CAMOUFLAGE, CURE the CANCER
Cancer’s “camouflage” seems to rely on the protein CD47.
Animal trials show anti-bodies to CD47 remove the camouflage, allowing the body’s immune system to recognise and destroy cancer.
                          Wellingham SB et al, Proc Nat Academy Sci, 2012
                          More detail: Blog - 2 April 2012

9. Multivitamins Reduce the Risk of Developing (or Dying) of Cancer
A very large randomized trial over 11 years concluded multivitamins produced:
1. No effect on prostate cancer
2. 12% risk reduction in total for developing all other cancers
3. Also, a 12% reduction in the risk of dying from cancer (not statistically significant)
                                   Gaziano, MJ et al, JAMA Oct 2012

10. Multi-vitamins & Breast Cancer
Another big study concluded:
1. Multivitamins are not harmful
2. Improved outcomes with radiation, or radiation and chemotherapy
3. Consistent multivitamins use before and after diagnosis, eating more fruits and vegetables, as well as being more physically active is associated with better overall survival.

           Kwan ML et al, Breast Ca Res Treat. 2011 Nov;130(1):195-205

11. SOY is Safe for Breast Cancer
This is the conclusion drawn from this extensive review of the available literature
              Messina MJ and Wood CE; Nutrition Journal 2008

12. MILK increases the risk of Prostate Cancer
Higher levels of cow’s milk consumption in boy’s is strongly associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer in men
                              Torfadottir et al; Am J Epidemiol, 2012

13. TELOMERES are protective, DNA—protein complexes at the end of chromosomes.
Telomere shortness is emerging as a powerful indicator of disease risk, progression, and premature mortality in many illnesses, including cancer.

Telomere shortening is counteracted by the cellular enzyme telomerase.

Increased telomerase activity is associated with
      1. Reduced disease risk generally
      2. Increased cancer survival    
      3. A longer, healthier life

There is a statistically significant inverse relationship between telomere length and both cancer incidence and mortality
                     Willeit P et al, JAMA 2010;304 (1): 69–75

14. WHAT INCREASES TELOMERASE ? 
1.  LIFESTYLE PROGRAMS  - LIKE TGF
          After 3 mths, 10% increase
                            Ornish, D et al, 2008,The Lancet Oncology

 2.  LIFESTYLE FACTORS
            HARMFUL EFFECTS  . Smoking
                                                      . Processed meats
                                                      . High BMI – overweight, obese
            HELPFUL EFFECTS    . Vitamins C,D & E, + Folate
                                                       . Omega 3 Fatty Acids
                            Lin j, Epel E, Blackburn E, 2011, Mutation Research

3.  MEDITATION - The Shamatha Project
       After 3 mth intensive retreat, 30% increase
                                            Jacobs TL, Wallace A, Blackburn E et al,
                                                    2010, Psychoneuroimmunology Jnl

4.  SPECIFIC HERBS   –  Product B – a combination of telomerase activating herbs. For details go to iangawler.isagenix.com

15. TUMERIC & PEPPER target breast cancer stem cells
Turmeric (curcumin) and black pepper (piperine) separately, and in combination, inhibit breast cancer stem cell self-renewal
      Kakarala, M et al, 2010, Br Ca Research & Treatment, Vol 122, No 3, 777-785

16. CURCUMIN (turmeric)
Reduces the side-effects and increases the benefits of radiotherapy
                              Jagetia G C; Adv Exp Med Biol, 2007

17. POMEGRANATE JUICE targets Prostate Cancer
8 ozs each day increases PSA doubling time - by almost 4 times : from 15 – 54 mths
                              Pantuck et al. 2006 Clin Ca Research
                              Pantuck et al. Abstract of follow-up Am Soc Clin Onc 2008

DIETARY GUIDELINES
In broad terms: ADOPT a PLANT-BASED, WHOLEFOOD DIET

1. READ the summary of The Wellness Diet

2. STUDY and APPLY the detail in the new edition of “You Can Conquer Cancer”

3. LISTEN to the 2 food CDs

4. ENJOY the recipes in “Eat Well, Be Well”

5. SEEK personal help if needed

6. DELIGHT in the fact, and the tastes of eating well

RESOURCES

1. DOCTORS & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
When you need a doctor trained in nutritional medicine, refer to

i) The Australian College of Nutritional Medicine (ACNEM)
   www.acnem.org

ii) The Australasian Integrative Medical Association (AIMA)
   www.aima.net.au

2. You Can Conquer Cancer – buy the new edition online (or over the phone) via the Foundation’s bookshop and support the Foundation – NOTE: check to make sure you order the new edition, not the old one!

3. CDS 
i) Eating Well, Being Well – Outines the Gawler Wellness Diet – the key to good health for everyone.

ii) Eating for Recovery – Outlines the Gawler Healing Diet specifically developed for people dealing with cancer. Please Note: This CD builds upon the information on "Eating Well, Being Well”. For those dealing with cancer, you need both CDs for completeness.

RELATED BLOGS

DNA and the dangly bits

Food 101 – what fuel goes into your tank?

Eating for recovery