text_1: The Healthy Skeptic: telomerase activators
text_2: This is a story about two over-the-counter products being sold to help counteract age-related changes because of their reputed capacity to affect telomere length. The story presented a generally cautious view of the value of these products but failed to question the very premise that doing something about telomere length is an assured means of slowing the aging process. We wish the column had been stronger in questioning the validity of information not backed up with data. There is historical precedence for searching for magical elixirs of youth and agents said to affect telomere length are the current sweethearts. It is telling that at the bottom of the TA Sciences website it states: “This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” Yet aging is often framed as just that – a disease that could and should be treated.