Method for Lengthening Telomeres, Reducing DNA Damage, and Reducing UV-Induced Skin Aging

Abstract

A method for lengthening telomeres, for countering oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals, and for reducing UV-induced skin aging, the method comprising combining nutrients, in at least one of a capsule, tablet, softgel, powder, or liquid form, 20 mcg-20 mg astaxanthin/day with at least one of 100-5,000 IU vitamin D/day, 1-100 mg zinc/day, 1-500 mg niacinamide/day, 1-1,000 IU vitamin E/day, 1 mcg-100 mg lycopene/day, 1 mcg-100 mg beta-carotene/day, 1 mcg-500 mcg selenium/day, 1 mcg-100 mg lutein/day, and 1 mcg-100 mg zeaxanthin/day.

Claims

1. A method for inhibiting the shortening of telomeres and for lengthening telomeres, for countering oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals, and for reducing UV-induced skin aging, the method comprising combining 20 mcg-20 mg astaxanthin/day with one or more of the following nutrients: 100-5,000 IU vitamin D/day, 1-100 mg zinc/day, 1-500 mg niacinamide/day, 1-1,000 IU vitamin E/day, 1 mcg-100 mg lycopene/day, 1 mcg-100 mg beta-carotene/day, 1 mcg-500 mcg selenium/day, 1 mcg-100 mg lutein/day, and 1 mcg-100 mg zeaxanthin/day.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the astaxanthin and nutrients are combined in the form of a capsule.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the astaxanthin and nutrients are combined in the form of a tablet.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the astaxanthin and nutrients are combined in the form of a softgel.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the astaxanthin and nutrients are combined in the form of a powder.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the astaxanthin and nutrients are combined in the form of a liquid.

7. A method for inhibiting the shortening of telomeres and for lengthening telomeres, for countering oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals, and for reducing UV-induced skin aging, the method comprising combining 20 mcg-20 mg astaxanthin/day with the following nutrients: 100-5,000 IU vitamin D/day, 1-100 mg zinc/day, 1-500 mg niacinamide/day, 1-1,000 IU vitamin E/day, 1 mcg-100 mg lycopene/day, 1 mcg-100 mg beta-carotene/day, 1 mcg-500 mcg selenium/day, 1 mcg-100 mg lutein/day, and 1 mcg-100 mg zeaxanthin/day.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the astaxanthin and nutrients are combined in the form of a capsule.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the astaxanthin and nutrients are combined in the form of a tablet.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the astaxanthin and nutrients are combined in the form of a softgel.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the astaxanthin and nutrients are combined in the form of a powder.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the astaxanthin and nutrients are combined in the form of a liquid.

13. A method for inhibiting the shortening of telomeres and for lengthening telomeres, for countering oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals, and for reducing UV-induced skin aging, the method comprising steps of: encapsulating in capsules 10 mcg-10 mg astaxanthin in powder form with the following nutrients in powder form: about 2,000 IU vitamin D, about 20 mg zinc, about 100 mg niacinamide, about 20 mg vitamin E, about 6 mg lycopene, about 1,500 mcg beta-carotene, about 100 mcg selenium, about 10 mg lutein, and about 2 mg zeaxanthin; and administering two capsules per day to a consumer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Additionally, as used herein, the term “substantially” is to be construed as a term of approximation. Still further, where ranges are given, they are intended to include all ranges of more narrow scope within the bounds of any respective range given.

[0021] In accordance with principles of the present invention, compositions and associated methods of use are exemplified which are effective for helping to reduce telomere shortening, helping to counter oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals, and helping to reduce UV-induced skin aging. Such compositions include combining, by way of any suitable method or process, astaxanthin with one or more of vitamin D, zinc, niacinamide, antioxidants (a combination of vitamin E, lycopene, beta-carotene and selenium), and carotenoids (a combination of lutein, zeaxanthin and astaxanthin), as discussed in further detail below.

[0022] Astaxanthin has been demonstrated in in vitro studies to improve the function of mitochondria and has good protective effects on human fibroblasts. In that way, it can protect skin cells from free radicals and preserve the collagen layer which result in smooth and youthful appearance of the skin. In the following combinations of ingredients, the quantity of astaxanthin is preferably 20 mcg-20 mg/day, though the range could vary; for example, the range could be 50 mcg-15 mg/day, 100 mcg-10 mg/day, 500 mcg-5 mg/day, or 1 mg-3 mg/day. It is contemplated that the astaxanthin may be in the form of a capsule, tablet, softgel, powder, or liquid.

[0023] In one preferred embodiment, the aforementioned amount of astaxanthin may be combined with 100-5,000 IU vitamin D/day in capsule, tablet, softgel, powder, or liquid form for the purpose of helping to address telomere shortening, helping to counter oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals, and helping to reduce UV-induced skin aging. Vitamin D is known to be a potent inhibitor of the proinflammatory response and thereby diminishes turnover of leukocytes. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a predictor of aging-related disease and decreases with each cell cycle and increased inflammation. It is contemplated that the range of Vitamin D may vary; for example, the range could be 250-4,000 IU Vitamin D/day, 500-3,000 IU Vitamin D/day, 750-2,000 IU Vitamin D/day, or 1,000-1,100 IU Vitamin D/day.

[0024] In an alternative preferred embodiment, the aforementioned amount of astaxanthin may be combined with 1-100 mg zinc/day in capsule, tablet, softgel, powder, or liquid form for the purpose of helping to address telomere shortening, helping to counter oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals, and helping to reduce UV-induced skin aging. A possible mechanism for zinc's effects was seen in an in vitro study on rat cell line where low intracellular zinc resulting from nutritional deficiencies induced oxidative DNA damage, and disrupted p53, NF-κB and AP-1 DNA binding that in turn affect DNA repair. It is contemplated that the range of zinc may vary; for example, the range could be 5-80 mg zinc/day, 10-70 mg zinc/day, 20-60 mg zinc/day, or 30-50 mg zinc/day.

[0025] In a further alternative preferred embodiment, the aforementioned amount of astaxanthin may be combined with 1-500 mg niacinamide/day in capsule, tablet, softgel, powder, or liquid form for the purpose of helping to address telomere shortening, helping to counter oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals, and helping to reduce UV-induced skin aging. Niacinamide is a direct metabolic nutritional precursor to the formation of cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), which in turn is essential to energy production and is also a co-substrate for the participation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in DNA repair. It is contemplated that the range of niacinamide may vary; for example, the range could be 10-400 mg niacinamide/day, 20-300 mg niacinamide/day, 30-200 mg niacinamide/day, or 50-100 mg niacinamide/day.

[0026] In a still further alternative preferred embodiment, the aforementioned amount of astaxanthin may be combined with 1-1,000 IU Vitamin E/day in capsule, tablet, softgel, powder, or liquid form for the purpose of helping to address telomere shortening, helping to counter oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals, and helping to reduce UV-induced skin aging. Vitamin E is a chain-breaking antioxidant that prevents the formation of free radicals. Vitamin Es therapeutic benefits have primarily been attributed to its antioxidant effects. It is contemplated that the range of Vitamin E may vary; for example, the range could be 25-900 IU Vitamin E/day, 100-750 IU Vitamin E/day, 200-500 IU Vitamin E/day, or 300-400 IU Vitamin E/day.

[0027] In a still further alternative preferred embodiment, the aforementioned amount of astaxanthin may be combined with 1 mcg-100 mg lycopene/day in capsule, tablet, softgel, powder, or liquid form for the purpose of helping to address telomere shortening, helping to counter oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals, and helping to reduce UV-induced skin aging. Lycopene has the most potent antioxidant activity of any common carotenoid, is highly lipophilic and is commonly found within cellular membranes. It scavenges free radicals and quenches singlet oxygen, which prevents oxidative damage to DNA. It is contemplated that the range of lycopene may vary; for example, the range could be 10 mcg-90 mg lycopene/day, 20 mcg-80 mg lycopene/day, 30 mcg-70 mg lycopene/day, or 40 mcg-60 mg lycopene/day.

[0028] In a still further alternative preferred embodiment, the aforementioned amount of astaxanthin may be combined with 1 mcg-100 mg beta-carotene/day in capsule, tablet, softgel, powder, or liquid form for the purpose of helping to address telomere shortening, helping to counter oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals, and helping to reduce UV-induced skin aging. Beta-carotene has antioxidant activities and prevents lipid peroxidation. Serum beta-carotene levels seem to be inversely related to C-reactive protein levels and the white blood count, markers of inflammation. It is contemplated that the range of beta-carotene may vary; for example, the range could be 10 mcg-50 mg beta-carotene/day, 100 mcg-25 mg beta-carotene/day, 1 mg-10 mg beta-carotene/day, or 2 mg-5 mg beta-carotene/day.

[0029] In a still further alternative preferred embodiment, the aforementioned amount of astaxanthin may be combined with 1 mcg-500 mcg selenium/day in capsule, tablet, softgel, powder, or liquid form for the purpose of helping to address telomere shortening, helping to counter oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals, and helping to reduce UV-induced skin aging. As selenocysteine, selenium is incorporated into a number of selenoproteins (selenium-dependent antioxidant enzymes). It is these selenoproteins that are responsible for selenium's biological functions. These selenoproteins protect against free radicals and other damaging reactive oxygen species, and help to convert vitamin E and vitamin C from their oxidized forms back into their non-oxidized/antioxidant forms. Selenium also works with copper and zinc to produce the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase, and with iron to produce catalase. It is contemplated that the range of selenium may vary; for example, the range could be 10 mcg-400 mcg selenium/day, 20 mcg-300 mcg selenium/day, 30 mcg-200 mcg selenium/day, or 50 mcg-100 mcg selenium/day.

[0030] In a still further alternative preferred embodiment, the aforementioned amount of astaxanthin may be combined with 1 mcg-100 mg lutein/day in capsule, tablet, softgel, powder, or liquid form for the purpose of helping to address telomere shortening, helping to counter oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals, and helping to reduce UV-induced skin aging. Lutein is a macular pigment that helps ameliorate light and oxygen damage, and prevents age-related cellular and tissue deterioration in the eye. It also inhibits the activation of NF-κB and the subsequent inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators. It is contemplated that the range of lutein may vary; for example, the range could be 10 mcg-50 mg lutein/day, 50 mcg-10 mg lutein/day, 100 mcg-5 mg lutein/day, or 1 mg-3 mg lutein/day.

[0031] In a still further alternative preferred embodiment, the aforementioned amount of astaxanthin may be combined with 1 mcg-100 mg zeaxanthin/day in capsule, tablet, softgel, powder, or liquid form for the purpose of helping to address telomere shortening, helping to counter oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals, and helping to reduce UV-induced skin aging. Like lutein, zeaxanthin is a macular pigment that helps ameliorate light and oxygen damage, and prevents age-related cellular and tissue deterioration in the eye. It also inhibits the activation of NF-κB and the subsequent inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators. It is contemplated that the range of zeaxanthin may vary; for example, the range could be 10 mcg-50 mg zeaxanthin/day, 50 mcg-25 mg zeaxanthin/day, 100 mcg-10 mg zeaxanthin/day, or 1 mg-5 mg zeaxanthin/day.

[0032] It is understood that the present invention may take many forms and embodiments. Accordingly, several variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention.

[0033] Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.