Key points from article :
A recent study has shown that a supplement containing astragalus, a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, can significantly lengthen telomeres in middle-aged individuals. Telomeres, which serve as protective caps at the ends of DNA strands, shorten with each cell replication cycle, contributing to ageing and the onset of age-related diseases. The study involved 40 healthy volunteers aged 40 to 70, who were randomly assigned to either a supplement group or a placebo group for six months.
The active supplement, ASTCOQ02, was a blend of various ingredients, including astragalus extracts, olive fruit extract, zinc oxide, and grape seed extract, taken twice daily. Remarkably, no side effects were reported, and participants showed no changes in weight, blood pressure, or heart function during the trial. While the placebo group’s telomere length remained stable or decreased, the supplement group experienced a notable increase in both median and short telomere lengths. Specifically, median telomere length increased by up to 695 kilobase pairs over six months, suggesting a rejuvenating effect.
The findings indicate that ASTCOQ02 may activate telomerase, the enzyme responsible for maintaining telomere length, thus offering a promising approach to counteract ageing and prevent cardiovascular diseases. While these results are promising, the authors call for further research to fully explore the health benefits and potential applications of the supplement in promoting healthy ageing and longevity.
