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Thanks for reading The Abstract. This month’s edition is
1,222 words, about a
5-minute read.
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September is Healthy Aging Month, and in this edition of
The Abstract we focus on new science about the underlying causes of aging as well as practical insights for your own longevity journey. The lead study offers hope for people with age-related eye issues: a well-researched and safe supplement that helped slow a particularly challenging eye condition by 55%. Also in this month’s science roundup, we explore how aging occurs in two rapid bursts, a proposed psychological hallmark of aging, the use of hormone therapy to support healthy aging in women, and the link between heme iron and type 2 diabetes.
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Supplements help fight age-related eye deterioration
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Microscope image of a primate fovea, by Hanen Khabou, Ph.D., Vision Institute, Department of Therapeutics, Paris, France
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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in individuals 50 and over. AMD involves the gradual deterioration of the macula, the part of the eye that controls sharp, central vision—critical for reading, driving, seeing faces, and doing close-up work. The AREDS and AREDS 2 supplement formulas were established by the National Eye Institute’s clinical trials involving thousands of participants and over 10 years of follow-up and were shown to have persistent benefits in reducing the risk of progression from moderate to advanced AMD. AREDS 2 is the improved version of the original formulation, replacing beta-carotene with lutein and zeaxanthin, and demonstrated to provide even greater reduction in risk of progression to advanced AMD compared to AREDS.
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In a new study, researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that the AREDS/AREDS 2 formulas can even slow the progression of late-stage AMD called geographic atrophy.
“Imagine you have a camera or a computer screen and you have dead pixels on the screen. That area of dead pixels just expands slowly over time. That’s basically the patient’s experience who has geographic atrophy,” explained
Dr. Theodore Leng, associate professor of ophthalmology at Stanford Medicine and Elysium Scientific Advisory Board member in an interview with
Healthline.
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The study reviewed retinal scans from the AREDS and AREDS 2 trials, finding that the supplements slowed the expansion of geographic atrophy regions towards the fovea, located in the center of the macula, by 55% over three years. The study suggests that supplementation may help preserve central vision even in people with late-stage dry AMD, offering a simple therapeutic option where few exist.
“Our study shows that the oral supplements have an important role even when geographic atrophy is present,” said first author of the study Tiarnan D. L. Keenan, Ph.D. Researchers plan to follow up with a dedicated clinical trial in the near future.
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The Expert’s Take:
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“The participants of the AREDS trials have now been followed for more than 10 years, and the benefits of the AREDS/AREDS2 formulation have persisted over this time.”
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Theodore Leng, M.D., M.S.
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Director of Clinical and Translational Research and Director of Ophthalmic Diagnostics at Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, member of the Elysium Scientific Advisory Board and
Vision product advisor
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THIS MONTH
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What We’re Reading
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These are third-party articles about science that we find interesting but have no relationship to Elysium or any of our products. Elysium’s products are not intended to screen, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Aging happens dramatically at 44 and 60
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A new study suggests that aging is not a linear journey. It occurs in at least two accelerated periods around age 44 and 60, in both women and men. Researchers conducted multi-omics profiling of 108 volunteers between ages 25 and 75, analyzing molecular changes across RNA, proteins, metabolites, cytokines, lipids, and more. They discovered that the first major wave of changes, at 44, involved molecules related to cardiovascular health and the ability to metabolize caffeine, alcohol, and lipids. The next wave, at 60, involved molecules related to immune regulation, carbohydrate metabolism, and kidney function. Both stages include skin and muscle aging. The study authors suggest that the findings could help with early diagnosis and prevention strategies for age-related changes and conditions that arise with them. (Nature Aging)
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Psychological factors proposed as a hallmark of aging
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Psychological factors can contribute substantially to mortality and morbidity, but their impact on longevity remains understudied at the molecular level. In a new paper, Stanford researchers propose changing this by adding "psychogenic aging" to the hallmarks of aging framework. They point out that psychosocial factors like the quality of relationships and adverse events in childhood increase mortality risk, in some cases more than well-established risk factors such as BMI, physical inactivity, or alcohol consumption. Importantly, the impact of psychological factors may be modifiable based on factors like mindset and resilience. By recognizing psychological factors as a hallmark, the researchers hope to encourage future clinical trials to better understand their impact on biomarkers of aging and develop new interventions to promote longevity. (Translational Psychiatry)
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Hormone therapy promotes healthy aging in women
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Previous studies on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women have demonstrated protective effects for coronary heart disease and a reduction in mortality, particularly among women who initiate HRT within 10 years of their last menstrual period. A new study adds to this body of research, finding that starting HRT during perimenopause may slow aging without increasing mortality risks. The research, involving 117,763 postmenopausal women, found that HRT users were
biologically younger compared to non-users. HRT initiated at around age 48.4 and continued for 4-8 years was most effective, and the most significant benefits were observed in women of lower socioeconomic status. (JAMA Network Open)
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Heme iron in red meat linked to type 2 diabetes
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Red meat consumption has been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). A new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health adds to previous evidence of a likely cause: high amounts of heme iron found primarily in red meat. Researchers assessed the link between iron and T2D using 36 years of dietary reports from 206,615 adults enrolled in major health studies, examining iron intake and controlling for other health and lifestyle variables. They found that participants with the highest heme iron intake had a 26% greater risk of developing T2D compared to those with the lowest intake. Research on red meat and health remains controversial, however, with one 2022 study published in
Nature Medicine finding only “weak evidence” of the relationship between red meat and T2D. (Nature Metabolism)
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TERM OF THE MONTH
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Macula
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/ˈmæk.jə.lə/
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The macula is the central portion of the retina. It’s located in the back of the eye, measures approximately five millimeters wide, and contains a high concentration of cone photoreceptors. The macula is responsible for central vision, most of our color vision, and the fine details of what we see. It’s characterized by a yellow hue due to the high accumulation of the carotenoids lutein, meso-zeaxanthin, and zeaxanthin (also known as “macular pigments”).
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AGING 101
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What are macular pigments, and how do they support eye health?
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Macular pigments are carotenoids in our eyes that block blue light and combat oxidative stress—and they decline with age. Learn about these beneficial pigments and what you can do to increase them. (Read more)
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