Extending Telomere Length with a Multivitamin: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Context: Although telomeres are “sacrificial” DNA without any necessary genetic content, each time a cell divides, telomeres get shorter. When they decrease to a critical length, cell division ceases and cells becomes inactive or “senescent” or die. This process is associated with aging. To some extent, the process of telomere shortening is slowed by the enzyme telomerase, whose purpose it is to add telomere length to DNA. Certain nutraceuticals have been shown to activate telomerase, and extend telomere length. While this will not make cells immortal, it may extend their lifespan.Objectives: The study intended to examine the effectiveness of a multivitamin formulated to extend telomere length, and ascertain the viability of conducting a larger, randomized, controlled trial in the future.Design: The study a 90-day, open-label pilot.Participants: Generally healthy men and women older than 18 years.Intervention: All subjects received a 90-day supply of the multivitamin, and were instructed to take one table, three times daily with meals.Outcome measures: The endpoint was absolute telomere length, measured with the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method, using a DNA sample from a buccal (inner-cheek) swab of each subject.Results: 10 subjects completed the protocol. 8 of the 10 had notable increases in telomere length. The mean increase in telomere length for all subjects was 55.86%.Conclusions: The current pilot trial demonstrated the efficacy of the multivitamin in lengthening the telomeres. These findings suggest that is worthwhile to conduct a larger, randomized, controlled trial to measure the telomere lengthening effects of the multivitamin formula.