A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined changes in telomere length over a period of twelve months in 117 relatively healthy, CMV-positive adults aged 53 to 87. Participants received either a placebo or varying dosages of TA-65®.
The goal of the study was to determine whether changes in average telomere length and the proportion of shorter telomeres could be observed during intake. The study is one of the early randomized, placebo-controlled human studies in this field of research.
For a better understanding of the biological relationships, we recommend our basic article What are telomeres and what role does telomerase play?. There, we explain the protective function of telomeres, their shortening during cell division, and the importance of telomerase for cell research.
How was the study designed?
The 117 participants were randomly assigned to three groups: a placebo group and two groups with different dosages of TA-65®. Intake took place over twelve months.
The study examined, among other things, the average telomere length, the distribution of shorter telomeres, and various laboratory parameters. Telomere length was determined at the start of the study and throughout the course of the investigation.
Of the 117 randomized individuals, 97 participants completed the study. The analysis was carried out for both the entire study population and individual dosage groups.
What results were observed?
After twelve months, the group with the lower dosage of TA-65® showed a statistically significant increase in average telomere length compared to the placebo group. Changes were also observed in the distribution of shorter telomeres.
In the higher-dosage group, however, only a trend in the same direction was observed, which was not statistically significant. The results therefore do not support a simple "higher dose = greater effect" relationship.
It is also important to note: A measured change in telomere length is not automatically equivalent to a specific health benefit or an increase in lifespan.
How should the results be interpreted?
The study provides controlled clinical data on how telomere length developed under different dosages of TA-65® compared to placebo over twelve months.
In the low-dose group receiving 250 U daily, the average telomere length increased significantly during the study, while it decreased in the placebo group. In contrast, the high-dose group receiving 1000 U daily showed only a non-significant trend.
At the same time, the study should be interpreted with caution. The change in telomere length is a biological measurement and not direct proof of a specific health benefit, a slowing of the aging process, or an extended lifespan.
Furthermore, several authors had financial or professional connections to T.A.Sciences. This should be taken into account when evaluating the results.
Further information on the clinical data situation can be found in our article TA-65®: Current studies on telomere length and safety.
Original publication
The complete study and further details on the study design, dosage, results, and conflicts of interest can be found in the original scientific publication.
