New research supports benefits of Tai Chi and other Metarobic exercises (breath and relaxation focused) for longevity, which may be tied to the enhancement of oxygen based metabolism in telomerase production. The cells of our body have a limited number of times they can divide. Prematurely shortened telomeres lead to cell death and aging. Telomeres are the end caps on our chromosomes, which delay this process. Longer end caps are associated with longer life spans and improved health. This can also affect cancer. Over the course of our lives, people lose telomeres every time cells divide. Modern medicine is looking at drugs and medication which can preserve telomere length. But aside from medication, there is also evidence that Metarobic effects generated by a relaxed physiological state, and the focus on the breath in Tai Chi, Qigong, and even in seated meditation, may also affect telomere length.
Telomerase is also a factor in cancer. Telomerase replaces lost telomeres during cell division, preserving function and slowing aging. But unrestricted, it can lead to uncontrolled growth, as with cancer. At times a condition called “crisis” leads to cells continuing to attempt to divide, leading to significant cell death (apoptosis) and cancer growth. In this case, too much telomerase may act in cancer development to sustain the growth of cancer, by allowing indefinite cell division. The science is complex and would take pages to go into in detail. But in short, health, telomere length, telomerase, cell death, and uncontrolled cell division are all interlinked. With normal aging, telomeres shorten with each cell division, with telomerase levels controlled. With cancer growth, shortened telomeres are subjected to uncontrolled telomerase. Telomerase has been found to be 10-20 times more active in cancer than in normal cells.
So what does this have to do with Tai Chi, Metarobics, and health? As noted above, Telomerase is not particularly active in normal cells, but is hyperactive in nearly all cancers. Studies have found that stress can result in increased telomerase release, and the shortening of telomeres. Hypoxia (oxygen deficiency in the tissues) is also a major factor in cancer. Meditation, including moving forms of meditation such as Tai Chi, can help offset hypoxia, in addition to reducing stress. Furthermore, Glycolysis (sugar based metabolism, characteristic of cancer, as opposed to oxygen based metabolism in normal cells) is linked to hypoxia (low oxygen conditions), which can increase telomerase activity to the rampant levels prevalent in cancer. Put simply, stress results in a highly reactive physiological state, as well as tense muscles which further impacts oxygen in the body, inhibiting the body’s ability to heal itself. Metarobic theory supports that meditative practices which include a focus on relaxation and the breath, enhances blood oxygen saturation, diffusion and oxygen based metabolism, which helps combat hypoxia and maximizes optimal cell functioning. This may include optimal telomerase activation and maximized telomere length.
Doctor Elizabeth Blackburn shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering how chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase, with Carol Greider and Jack Szostak. In a Scientific American interview, she discussed the effects of telomerase on telomeres and aging. Dr. Blackburn noted that telomerase helps prevent the shortening of the telomeres, and thus acts as an anti-aging enzyme. However, she also notes that too much telomerase can help confer immortality to cancer cells, and actually increase the likelihood of cancer. She further notes that too little telomerase can also increase cancer, by affecting the healthy regenerative potential of the body. To reduce cancer risk and enhance optimal health, the body needs an ideal level of telomerase. Complimentary exercises such as Tai Chi, Qigong, meditation, and related exercises, can achieve this naturally, and may maximize optimal effects through a Metarobic response. This is important to consider, in that trying to affect telomerase levels artificially through drugs is not yet a precise science, which Dr. Blackburn states does not have a whole lot of room for error. Further support for a Metarobic approach relates to factors listed by Dr. Blackburn, which included oxidative stress. Prolonged elevation of stress hormones or prolonged inflammation can increase oxidative stress, which relates to Metarobic theory. She notes that higher levels of psychological stress (which increases oxidative stress) results in premature cell aging. The end effect is that a person even in their 30s or 40s exposed to high levels of oxidative stress may show signs of aging in their cells.
Dr. Blackburn also participated in a review of literature relevant to using meditative or mindfulness based practices to reduce the effects of stress and on telomere length and the aging process. The review concluded that there is considerable support that mindfulness based practices (which would include Tai Chi), may have beneficial effects on telomere length. The primary mechanisms identified included reduction of cognitive stress and stress arousal, as well as increased positive states of mind, and hormonal factors which may promote telomere maintenance (such as through optimal levels of telomerase). All of these factors would relate to Metarobics and optimal levels of oxygen based metabolism. Tai Chi and related exercises are reputed in China to be exercises of immortality and longevity. Science is proving that the “immortals” of China may have the right idea – relax, breath, and let your body function at its optimal, uninhibited by stress and tension.
References
1. Gryffin PA. Mindful Exercise: Metarobics, Healing, and the Power of Tai Chi. YMAA Publications, August 2018. Eric Hoffer Award Winner
2. Shay JW, Wright WE. Role of telomeres and telomerase in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol. 2011 Dec; 21(6): 349–353.
3. Epel E, Daubenmier J, Moskowitz JT, Folkman S, Blackburn E. Can meditation slow rate of cellular aging? Cognitive stress, mindfulness, and telomeres. Acad Sci. 2009 Aug; 1172:34-53.
4. Shay/Wright Lab. Facts about Telomeres and Telomerase. http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/…/facts-about-telomeres-telom…. Retrieved September 9th, 2016.
5. Bagheri S, Nosrati M, Li S, et al. Genes and pathways downstream of telomerase in melanoma metastasis. PNAS. 2006 (103) 30: 11306–11311
6. Gouina JP, Kiecolt-Glasera JK. The Impact of Psychological Stress on Wound Healing: Methods and Mechanisms. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2011 Feb; 31(1): 81–93.
7. Rehman J. Aging: Too Much Telomerase Can Be As Bad As Too Little. Scientific American. Online, July 5, 2014. http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/…/aging-too-much-telom…/ Retrieved September 9th, 2016.
Telomerase is also a factor in cancer. Telomerase replaces lost telomeres during cell division, preserving function and slowing aging. But unrestricted, it can lead to uncontrolled growth, as with cancer. At times a condition called “crisis” leads to cells continuing to attempt to divide, leading to significant cell death (apoptosis) and cancer growth. In this case, too much telomerase may act in cancer development to sustain the growth of cancer, by allowing indefinite cell division. The science is complex and would take pages to go into in detail. But in short, health, telomere length, telomerase, cell death, and uncontrolled cell division are all interlinked. With normal aging, telomeres shorten with each cell division, with telomerase levels controlled. With cancer growth, shortened telomeres are subjected to uncontrolled telomerase. Telomerase has been found to be 10-20 times more active in cancer than in normal cells.
So what does this have to do with Tai Chi, Metarobics, and health? As noted above, Telomerase is not particularly active in normal cells, but is hyperactive in nearly all cancers. Studies have found that stress can result in increased telomerase release, and the shortening of telomeres. Hypoxia (oxygen deficiency in the tissues) is also a major factor in cancer. Meditation, including moving forms of meditation such as Tai Chi, can help offset hypoxia, in addition to reducing stress. Furthermore, Glycolysis (sugar based metabolism, characteristic of cancer, as opposed to oxygen based metabolism in normal cells) is linked to hypoxia (low oxygen conditions), which can increase telomerase activity to the rampant levels prevalent in cancer. Put simply, stress results in a highly reactive physiological state, as well as tense muscles which further impacts oxygen in the body, inhibiting the body’s ability to heal itself. Metarobic theory supports that meditative practices which include a focus on relaxation and the breath, enhances blood oxygen saturation, diffusion and oxygen based metabolism, which helps combat hypoxia and maximizes optimal cell functioning. This may include optimal telomerase activation and maximized telomere length.
Doctor Elizabeth Blackburn shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering how chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase, with Carol Greider and Jack Szostak. In a Scientific American interview, she discussed the effects of telomerase on telomeres and aging. Dr. Blackburn noted that telomerase helps prevent the shortening of the telomeres, and thus acts as an anti-aging enzyme. However, she also notes that too much telomerase can help confer immortality to cancer cells, and actually increase the likelihood of cancer. She further notes that too little telomerase can also increase cancer, by affecting the healthy regenerative potential of the body. To reduce cancer risk and enhance optimal health, the body needs an ideal level of telomerase. Complimentary exercises such as Tai Chi, Qigong, meditation, and related exercises, can achieve this naturally, and may maximize optimal effects through a Metarobic response. This is important to consider, in that trying to affect telomerase levels artificially through drugs is not yet a precise science, which Dr. Blackburn states does not have a whole lot of room for error. Further support for a Metarobic approach relates to factors listed by Dr. Blackburn, which included oxidative stress. Prolonged elevation of stress hormones or prolonged inflammation can increase oxidative stress, which relates to Metarobic theory. She notes that higher levels of psychological stress (which increases oxidative stress) results in premature cell aging. The end effect is that a person even in their 30s or 40s exposed to high levels of oxidative stress may show signs of aging in their cells.
Dr. Blackburn also participated in a review of literature relevant to using meditative or mindfulness based practices to reduce the effects of stress and on telomere length and the aging process. The review concluded that there is considerable support that mindfulness based practices (which would include Tai Chi), may have beneficial effects on telomere length. The primary mechanisms identified included reduction of cognitive stress and stress arousal, as well as increased positive states of mind, and hormonal factors which may promote telomere maintenance (such as through optimal levels of telomerase). All of these factors would relate to Metarobics and optimal levels of oxygen based metabolism. Tai Chi and related exercises are reputed in China to be exercises of immortality and longevity. Science is proving that the “immortals” of China may have the right idea – relax, breath, and let your body function at its optimal, uninhibited by stress and tension.
References
1. Gryffin PA. Mindful Exercise: Metarobics, Healing, and the Power of Tai Chi. YMAA Publications, August 2018. Eric Hoffer Award Winner
2. Shay JW, Wright WE. Role of telomeres and telomerase in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol. 2011 Dec; 21(6): 349–353.
3. Epel E, Daubenmier J, Moskowitz JT, Folkman S, Blackburn E. Can meditation slow rate of cellular aging? Cognitive stress, mindfulness, and telomeres. Acad Sci. 2009 Aug; 1172:34-53.
4. Shay/Wright Lab. Facts about Telomeres and Telomerase. http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/…/facts-about-telomeres-telom…. Retrieved September 9th, 2016.
5. Bagheri S, Nosrati M, Li S, et al. Genes and pathways downstream of telomerase in melanoma metastasis. PNAS. 2006 (103) 30: 11306–11311
6. Gouina JP, Kiecolt-Glasera JK. The Impact of Psychological Stress on Wound Healing: Methods and Mechanisms. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2011 Feb; 31(1): 81–93.
7. Rehman J. Aging: Too Much Telomerase Can Be As Bad As Too Little. Scientific American. Online, July 5, 2014. http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/…/aging-too-much-telom…/ Retrieved September 9th, 2016.
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