Diet Controls Enzyme Regulating Cancer and Aging
Healthy food and Exercise Reduces Prostate Cancer Risks
Nov 3, 2008
Telomerase are DNA-protein complexes at the end of chromosomes that protect and length the chromosome. As cells divide, a copy of each chromosome is made for the new cell, but the chromosome ends (called telomeres) become shorter and their structural integrity weakens, and cells age and die more quickly. This process directly affect how quickly cells age. Shortening of telomeres is counteracted by a cellular protein called telomerase, which add small DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes, preserving not only chromosome length but also cell function.
Shortening of telomeres is considered as a marker of disease risk and premature death in many types of cancer, including prostate, lung, breast and colorectal cancers.
Lifestyle Regulates Telomerase Level in Prostate Cancer Patients
In their recent study, Dr. Dean Ornish and Jennifer Daubenmier from the laboratory of Elizabeth Blackburn (University of California, San Francisco, California), asked 30 men with age between 49-82 yrs-old (mean age of 62 yrs) and diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer to make significant daily lifestyle changes.
The changes included eating a low fat diet (only 10 percent of calories from fat), low in refined sugars, and rich in whole cereal foods, high in fruit and vegetables. They supplemented their diet with soy-derived food (tofu proteins and soy beverage), fish oil, selenium, vitamins C and E. The daily changes also included moderate aerobic exercise (such as walking), stress management by relaxation and meditation techniques, and breathing exercises.
Healthy Lifestyle Reduces Risk Factors of Cancer
The men's telomerase levels were measured, in the blood cells, at the start of the study and again three months later. At that time, the researchers found a 29% increase in telomerase levels, a decrease in "bad" (LDL) cholesterol and decrease in psychological distress, three parameters known as cancer risk factors. The result, titled `Increased telomerase activity and comprehensive lifestyle changes: a pilot study` was published online, on September 16th 2008 (The Lancet Oncology. 2008. vol9, n11, pp1048-1057).
Even if this pilot study could not include control volunteers to compare with the prostate cancer patients or other cancer patients, these findings strongly suggest that lifestyle factors known to promote cancer and cardiovascular diseases might also adversely affect the telomere maintenance system, including telomerase, a cellular aging control system.
Since this cellular aging control system is not a specific risk for prostate cancer but is also a risk factor for other types of cancer, it is likely that a general healthy daily lifestyle will protect against cancer (see also the article of Cancer Fighting Foods). Even if extended studies are needed to confirm this first interesting observation, physicians may insist more strongly to maintain a healthy lifestyle in addition to regular cancer treatment.
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