Telomere length serves as a biological clock to determine our lifespan. Every year, our telomeres (the ends of our DNA) get shorter until they finally shorten to a length that leads to our mortality.
Over the past few decades, researchers and drug companies have focused (and invested substantial capital) on this key biological determinant (telomere length) in the hopes of being able to stop and reverse the aging process.
Since many age-related diseases (like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and Alzheimer’s) are also linked to shortened telmeres, it is easy to see why so many drug and nutritional companies have been working hard on finding a cure to stop and reverse the shortening of telomeres.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has already been demonstrated in clinical studies to help the aging population by reducing the signs of aging and age-related diseases. In 2006, a landmark study showed an 800% increase in stem cell mobilization from a course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This gave us a much better understanding of the physiological benefits of this procedure in relation to the aging process.
Today we have even more information as a second landmark study has been published on the effects of hyperbaric therapy in regards to telomere length. In this study, a 3 month course of hyperbaric therapy produced a profound increase in telomere length by 20% – 38%. (This is higher than any other intervention currently available). The hyperbaric protocol used to produce these benefits included 60 hyperbaric sessions (each at 90 minute sessions at 2.0 ATA with 3 air breaks). This exciting new study will surely lead to many more telomere-based studies in the field of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and further help to advance our knowledge of this therapy. <View Full Study in the JOURNAL OF AGING>
Due to the significance of this study, it has quickly been picked up by many news associations like the following: