kebaldwin
Thu, Sep-07-06, 19:13
Three Key Anti-Aging Nutrients You Should Know About
Aging is an inevitable part of life. Both physical and mental changes gradually occur, with looks, personality and, most importantly, your health changing over time. How you age depends, in part, on heredity, and in part on environment. Besides eating a healthy diet, one of the best things you can do to improve your quality of life through the years is to supplement with acetyl L-carnitine, alpha lipoc acid and coenzyme Q10.
Summer is over. Although we may still have some sunny, bright days with highs in the low 80s, they'll soon be coming to an end. For those of you who live in the more northern climate, snow and sleet is only a couple of months away. Despite the foul weather inevitably heading our way in the northeast, I, nevertheless, love living in this area. I very much enjoy the seasons, especially the upcoming fall and, months later, spring.
Observing nature gives us a constant reminder of the rejuvenation of life. Unfortunately, the same does not hold true for the human being. Our aging is inevitable with the breakdown/degeneration of cells, organs and onset of poor health. There are, however, three amazing nutrients that can help slow and even turn back the hands of time when it comes to aging. Those three miracle nutrients are acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).
In a study published in Free Radical Biological Medicine in March 2005, researchers from the Institute for Aging and Alzheimer's Disease in Fort Worth, Texas performed a study in aged mice1. The study focused on determining whether supplemental intake of CoQ10 or vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) alone or in conjunction could improve brain function in aging mice. Groups of mice 24 months old were administered either CoQ10, vitamin E or both for a total of 14 weeks. Researchers noted that the findings suggested that concurrent supplementation of alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) along with CoQ10 is more likely to be effective for age-related learning deficits than CoQ10 or alpha tocoperol alone.
In another study published in Experimental Gerontology in February 2006, a group of mice with accelerated senescence (memory loss) were supplemented with CoQ102. Researchers concluded that lifelong dietary supplementation with CoQ10 decreased the degree of senescence in middle-aged mice. I have written in past newsletters about human studies published in the most prestigious and reliable neurological medical journals using 400 to 1,200 mg per day of CoQ10 to slow the loss of brain cells that support the maintenance of healthy movement as we age. It's well known if we do nothing, around the fourth decade of life, brain cells that produce a neurotransmitter called dopamine (required for healthy movement and control of muscles) start to die.
There have been multiple other studies, performed primarily in animals, showing benefit for reducing effects of aging of the brain, especially with use of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC). There have actually been studies going back to the 1980s and even prior, demonstrating safety and efficacy for these two nutrients, both individually and in combination. In one study published in the 1990s, aged mice were given a combination of these two nutrients. There was a review article published in the November 2004 edition of the Annals of New York Academy of Science by Dr. Bruce Ames3. Dr. Ames, in the article, indicates that oxidative mitochondrial decay was a major contributor to aging. He notes that feeding old rats ALA and ALC for a few weeks restored mitochondrial function. In addition, it lowered oxidants, neuron RNA oxidation and certain mutagenic aldehydes. He further notes that a recent meta-analysis of twenty one double-blinded clinical trials of ALC in humans with mild cognitive impairment showed significant efficacy versus placebo. He also notes a meta-analysis of four clinical trials of ALA in humans with unhealthy blood sugar and poor nerve function indicated benefits (when compared with placebo).
In a study published in the journal Diabetes Care in January 2005, researchers from Wayne State University in Michigan evaluated data bases from two, 52-week randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials in patients suffering with nerve damage from elevated blood sugar4. Both of these trials used doses of ALC 500 mg and 1,000 mg three times daily, for a total of 1,500 mg to 3,000 mg per day. A total of over 1,200 patients were enrolled in these studies. Aside from clinical symptoms scores, nerve conduction velocities were also evaluated. The data showed significant improvement in regeneration of nerve fiber clusters. Although nerve conduction velocities and amplitudes did not improve, sensory perception did improve in both studies. The studies indicated that ALC supplementation was efficacious in alleviating pain and improving nerve fiber regeneration in patients with nerve damage from high blood sugar.
There was another interesting study regarding visual function with the use of ALC, omega-3 essential fatty acids and CoQ10. One hundred six patients with degeneration of the retina (which could lead to blindness) were randomized to receive these three nutrients or placebo. The trial went on for approximately 12 months. It was found that those individuals supplemented with the nutrients showed significant improvement in four parameters of visual function by the end of the study. Only 2% of the treated group noted a worsening in vision versus 17% in the placebo group. Authors indicated that the findings strongly suggest that an appropriate combination of nutrients, which affect mitochondrial lipid metabolism, may improve and subsequently stabilize visual function. As a side note, many of you are probably aware that Nutraceutical Sciences InstituteŽ (NSIŽ) has a patented product called OcuPowerŽ which also showed evidence of not only stabilization but improvement in vision with people (with an average age of mid-70s) suffering from poor vision.
You probably know that I've written on many occasions about the incredible value of CoQ10 to help maximize healthy heart, cardiovascular, immune and brain function. I will not discuss this any further at the present time, but would refer you back to the newsletter archives to read some of the amazing studies regarding these numerous health benefits.
ALC has also been shown in clinical trials to have benefits for promoting healthy energy levels. There was an interesting study published in June 2004 in the journal Fertility and Sterility regarding use of L-carnitine and ALC5. Sixty infertile men, ages twenty to forty years old, underwent evaluation for sperm motility and morphology. The individuals were then supplemented with various doses of both L-carnitine and ALC up to three grams daily. It was found that administration of L-carnitine and ALC was effective in increasing sperm motility. There have been other studies in the medical literature also supporting use of this nutrient for promoting healthy sperm and reproduction.
1. McDonald SR, Sohal RS, Forster MJ. Concurrent administration of coenzyme Q10 and alpha-tocopherol improves learning in aged mice. Free Radic Biol Med. 2005 Mar 15;38(6):729-36.
2. Jingmin Yan, Kenji Fujii, Junjie Yao, Hideyuki Kishida, Kazunori Hosoe, et al. Reduced coenzyme Q10 supplementation decelerates senescence in SAMP1 mice. Exp Gerontol Feb 2006: Vol. 41, Issue 2, p. 130-140.
3. Ames BN, Liu J. Delaying the mitochondrial decay of aging with acetylcarnitine. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004 Nov;1033:108-16.
4. Anders A.F. Sima, Menotti Calvani, Munish Mehra, Antonino Amato for the Acetyl-l-Carnitine Study Group. Acetyl-L-Carnitine Improves Pain, Nerve Regeneration, and Vibratory Perception in Patients With Chronic Diabetic Neuropathy: An analysis of two randomized placebo-controlled trials. Diabetes Care 2005 28: 89-94.
5. Lenzi A, Sgro P, Salacone P, Paoli D, et al. A placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial of the use of combined l-carnitine and l-acetyl-carnitine treatment in men with asthenozoospermia. Fertil Steril. 2004 Jun;81(6):1578-84.
http://www.vitacost.com/newsletter/newsletter.cfm?nl=293&csrc=EM-FYH20060907:main
Aging is an inevitable part of life. Both physical and mental changes gradually occur, with looks, personality and, most importantly, your health changing over time. How you age depends, in part, on heredity, and in part on environment. Besides eating a healthy diet, one of the best things you can do to improve your quality of life through the years is to supplement with acetyl L-carnitine, alpha lipoc acid and coenzyme Q10.
Summer is over. Although we may still have some sunny, bright days with highs in the low 80s, they'll soon be coming to an end. For those of you who live in the more northern climate, snow and sleet is only a couple of months away. Despite the foul weather inevitably heading our way in the northeast, I, nevertheless, love living in this area. I very much enjoy the seasons, especially the upcoming fall and, months later, spring.
Observing nature gives us a constant reminder of the rejuvenation of life. Unfortunately, the same does not hold true for the human being. Our aging is inevitable with the breakdown/degeneration of cells, organs and onset of poor health. There are, however, three amazing nutrients that can help slow and even turn back the hands of time when it comes to aging. Those three miracle nutrients are acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).
In a study published in Free Radical Biological Medicine in March 2005, researchers from the Institute for Aging and Alzheimer's Disease in Fort Worth, Texas performed a study in aged mice1. The study focused on determining whether supplemental intake of CoQ10 or vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) alone or in conjunction could improve brain function in aging mice. Groups of mice 24 months old were administered either CoQ10, vitamin E or both for a total of 14 weeks. Researchers noted that the findings suggested that concurrent supplementation of alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) along with CoQ10 is more likely to be effective for age-related learning deficits than CoQ10 or alpha tocoperol alone.
In another study published in Experimental Gerontology in February 2006, a group of mice with accelerated senescence (memory loss) were supplemented with CoQ102. Researchers concluded that lifelong dietary supplementation with CoQ10 decreased the degree of senescence in middle-aged mice. I have written in past newsletters about human studies published in the most prestigious and reliable neurological medical journals using 400 to 1,200 mg per day of CoQ10 to slow the loss of brain cells that support the maintenance of healthy movement as we age. It's well known if we do nothing, around the fourth decade of life, brain cells that produce a neurotransmitter called dopamine (required for healthy movement and control of muscles) start to die.
There have been multiple other studies, performed primarily in animals, showing benefit for reducing effects of aging of the brain, especially with use of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC). There have actually been studies going back to the 1980s and even prior, demonstrating safety and efficacy for these two nutrients, both individually and in combination. In one study published in the 1990s, aged mice were given a combination of these two nutrients. There was a review article published in the November 2004 edition of the Annals of New York Academy of Science by Dr. Bruce Ames3. Dr. Ames, in the article, indicates that oxidative mitochondrial decay was a major contributor to aging. He notes that feeding old rats ALA and ALC for a few weeks restored mitochondrial function. In addition, it lowered oxidants, neuron RNA oxidation and certain mutagenic aldehydes. He further notes that a recent meta-analysis of twenty one double-blinded clinical trials of ALC in humans with mild cognitive impairment showed significant efficacy versus placebo. He also notes a meta-analysis of four clinical trials of ALA in humans with unhealthy blood sugar and poor nerve function indicated benefits (when compared with placebo).
In a study published in the journal Diabetes Care in January 2005, researchers from Wayne State University in Michigan evaluated data bases from two, 52-week randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials in patients suffering with nerve damage from elevated blood sugar4. Both of these trials used doses of ALC 500 mg and 1,000 mg three times daily, for a total of 1,500 mg to 3,000 mg per day. A total of over 1,200 patients were enrolled in these studies. Aside from clinical symptoms scores, nerve conduction velocities were also evaluated. The data showed significant improvement in regeneration of nerve fiber clusters. Although nerve conduction velocities and amplitudes did not improve, sensory perception did improve in both studies. The studies indicated that ALC supplementation was efficacious in alleviating pain and improving nerve fiber regeneration in patients with nerve damage from high blood sugar.
There was another interesting study regarding visual function with the use of ALC, omega-3 essential fatty acids and CoQ10. One hundred six patients with degeneration of the retina (which could lead to blindness) were randomized to receive these three nutrients or placebo. The trial went on for approximately 12 months. It was found that those individuals supplemented with the nutrients showed significant improvement in four parameters of visual function by the end of the study. Only 2% of the treated group noted a worsening in vision versus 17% in the placebo group. Authors indicated that the findings strongly suggest that an appropriate combination of nutrients, which affect mitochondrial lipid metabolism, may improve and subsequently stabilize visual function. As a side note, many of you are probably aware that Nutraceutical Sciences InstituteŽ (NSIŽ) has a patented product called OcuPowerŽ which also showed evidence of not only stabilization but improvement in vision with people (with an average age of mid-70s) suffering from poor vision.
You probably know that I've written on many occasions about the incredible value of CoQ10 to help maximize healthy heart, cardiovascular, immune and brain function. I will not discuss this any further at the present time, but would refer you back to the newsletter archives to read some of the amazing studies regarding these numerous health benefits.
ALC has also been shown in clinical trials to have benefits for promoting healthy energy levels. There was an interesting study published in June 2004 in the journal Fertility and Sterility regarding use of L-carnitine and ALC5. Sixty infertile men, ages twenty to forty years old, underwent evaluation for sperm motility and morphology. The individuals were then supplemented with various doses of both L-carnitine and ALC up to three grams daily. It was found that administration of L-carnitine and ALC was effective in increasing sperm motility. There have been other studies in the medical literature also supporting use of this nutrient for promoting healthy sperm and reproduction.
1. McDonald SR, Sohal RS, Forster MJ. Concurrent administration of coenzyme Q10 and alpha-tocopherol improves learning in aged mice. Free Radic Biol Med. 2005 Mar 15;38(6):729-36.
2. Jingmin Yan, Kenji Fujii, Junjie Yao, Hideyuki Kishida, Kazunori Hosoe, et al. Reduced coenzyme Q10 supplementation decelerates senescence in SAMP1 mice. Exp Gerontol Feb 2006: Vol. 41, Issue 2, p. 130-140.
3. Ames BN, Liu J. Delaying the mitochondrial decay of aging with acetylcarnitine. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004 Nov;1033:108-16.
4. Anders A.F. Sima, Menotti Calvani, Munish Mehra, Antonino Amato for the Acetyl-l-Carnitine Study Group. Acetyl-L-Carnitine Improves Pain, Nerve Regeneration, and Vibratory Perception in Patients With Chronic Diabetic Neuropathy: An analysis of two randomized placebo-controlled trials. Diabetes Care 2005 28: 89-94.
5. Lenzi A, Sgro P, Salacone P, Paoli D, et al. A placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial of the use of combined l-carnitine and l-acetyl-carnitine treatment in men with asthenozoospermia. Fertil Steril. 2004 Jun;81(6):1578-84.
http://www.vitacost.com/newsletter/newsletter.cfm?nl=293&csrc=EM-FYH20060907:main