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CHAPTER 3
SECRET 2 - ANTI-AGING
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
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Contents
ANTI-AGING SUPPLEMENTS
- INTRODUCTION
RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE
IS RDA SUFFICIENT FOR ANTI-AGING?
SOME ALARMING NEWS
WHY DO YOU NEED SUPPLEMENTS?
CLASSES OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
1. ANTIOXIDANTS
VITAMIN A - FIGHTS HEART DISEASE
VITAMIN C - BEST FOR LONGEVITY
VITAMIN E
SELENIUM
MAGNESIUM
GLUTATHIONE
COENZYME Q-10
2. HORMONAL AXIS
CHROMIUM
DHEA
ESTROGEN
PROGESTERONE
TESTOSTERONE
MELATONIN
GLUTAMINE
3. SPECIALIZED FUNCTIONS AXIS
A. CALCIUM
B. GINGKO
C. THE B FAMILY OF VITAMINS
Vitamin B12 - Facts
D. Folic Acid (Vitamine B9)
E. PHOSPHATIDYL SERINE (PS)
F. SAW PALMETTO
G. ZINC
ANTI-AGING SUPPLEMENT STRATEGY
- SUMMARY
RDA OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS
ANTI-AGING
SUPPLEMENTS - INTRODUCTION
 Supplementing
your diet with vitamins, minerals and herbs will significantly increase
your life span. These agents to diet cannot replace proper nutrition, but
aid and abet a healthy life extension. Not all nutrients are
anti-aging supplements per se. Anti-aging supplements address and prevent
any possible deterioration in the cells that may accelerate the aging process.
The fact that supplements could
aid in preventing certain disease has not always been known. Between 1500
B.C and 1900 A.D, it was observed that certain foods prevented some diseases.
Egyptians used liver to ward off night blindness. From 1890 to 1900 the
relationship between the lack of certain foods and disease became established.
For instance, polished rice (lacking in thiamine) caused beriberi. The years
1900-1948 were known as the golden age of vitamin discovery. Many techniques
for perfecting the production of vitamins, such as isolation and synthesis,
were pioneered. In 1933, the first commercial synthesis of Vitamin C occurred.
Up until recently many fallacies
existed about vitamins and minerals. Following here below are
three such basic misconceptions in this field. First, vitamins are a
catalyst and therefore are needed in very small doses since they can be
recycled almost indefinitely. Second, vitamins are needed only to prevent
deficiency diseases such as Vitamin C for scurvy and nicotinic acid for
pellagra. Third, large doses are not needed and are dangerous.
In fact, optimum
doses of vitamins should be used in both prevention and optimum health.
These doses vary from very small to very large (e.g. 10 mg nicotinic acid
needed to prevent pellagra, but 1000 mg to prevent recurring chronic pelagra).
Furthermore, there is no optimum dose for the whole population. It depends
upon age, sex, type of illness, type of stressors. Another discovery found
that vitamins have activity which appear to be unrelated to their properties
as vitamins.
RECOMMENDED
DAILY ALLOWANCE
Before advancing any further,
a word on the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) will be forthcoming. The
RDA is the measured amount or dosage of nutrient per vitamin and minerals
recommend. The U.S. federal government sets these levels .
The RDA indicates the amount of vitamins and minerals needed to prevent
common deficiency diseases (such as rickets or scurvy) for the average person.
The average person assumes that you are an adult under 60 years old who
is in good health, has normal digestion, isn't overweight, leads a relatively
stress-free life, has no medical problems, does not need any medication,
and eats a good diet everyday of 2,000 calories per day (most older people
eat less than 1500 calories per day).
Needless to say, most
of us don't fit into the definition of the average person defined by RDA.
In fact, most adult women don't meet the RDA for zinc, Vitamin B, calcium,
magnesium, and Vitamin E; likewise, most adult men don't meet the RDA for
zinc and magnesium. Fewer than 29% of people eat 5 fresh fruits
and vegetables a day. Furthermore, 20% of the people don't eat ANY fruits
or vegetables at all.
IS
RDA SUFFICIENT FOR ANTI-AGING
The question then naturally becomes
Is RDA sufficient for anti-aging? We feel that in general, RDA
is inadequate if your goal is for prevention of heart disease, cancer, cataracts,
arthritis and other age related diseases. For optimal anti-aging intake,
many health practitioners are recommending many times higher than the RDA
on certain nutrients. At this point allow us a note on measuring
vitamin levels. Ordinary blood tests are not adequate to tell us the
true level or functional level of each vitamin. You can be "normal"
based on blood level and lack the amount needed for optimum metabolic function,
especially for anti-aging purposes.
SOME
ALARMING NEWS
It's no secret that for the majority
of the U.S. population, the diet is poorly lacking in essential nutrients.
Half of all Americans past sixty years are deficient in Vitamin A, C,
and E, even by minimum standard RDA. As we age our body run out of steam;
therefore, we need more nutrients. Growing old itself can even be viewed
as a vitamin deficiency disease of monumental magnitude. Worse, these deficiencies
have virtually been ignored for the past century. To add to this perplexity,
it has been learned that food cannot give us all the vitamins and minerals
we need to slow down aging. Additionally, nearly all Americans are deficient
even in the minimal RDA requirements, and are therefore exposed to premature
death. Moreover, vitamins and minerals
in anti-aging are remarkably safe and free of side effects if taken properly.
Vitamins and minerals work together synergistically to slow down aging.
There is no one anti-aging miracle vitamin or mineral.
WHY
DO YOU NEED SUPPLEMENTS?
The answer posed to the question
in the heading above is plain: You simply
cannot get enough of some of vitamins and minerals in regular or anti-aging
dosages, even if you eat a healthy anti-aging diet (50% fruits
and vegetables, 25% protein, and 25% fat). The following information on
several important vitamins and minerals shows why dieting alone cannot give
you enough vitamins and minerals to promote anti-aging. For Instance, take
Vitamin E -one would need a daily intake of 5,000 calories per day (mostly
fat) in order to get 400 IU ; or take chromium - a daily intake of 5,000
calories per day to get the minimum requirement of 50 mcg per day.Zinc
- a daily intake of 2,400 calorie per day is needed jus
To get the recommended 200 mcg of chromium, you would have to consume more
than 12,000 calories per day! t to reach its RDA; magnesium
- intake of 2,000 calorie per day is needed to get enough magnesium; coenzyme
Q-10 - intake of 1 pound of sardines or 2.5 pounds of pancreas to get 30mg
of CoQ-10 (healthy people need 30mg and chronic patients need 50-150 mg).
From this short catalog it is evident that
taking supplements is a more reasonable and convenient way to provide you
with the necessary optimum level of these nutrients.
CLASSES
OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
Anti-aging
supplements fall broadly into three major groups: A) Anti-Oxidant Axis ,
B) Hormonal Axis, and C) Specialized Functions Axis. Here are
the three major groups and some of the key supplements they contain:
1. Antioxidant
Axis:
Vitamin
A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Selenium - a mineral
Magnesium - a mineral
Glutathoine - an amino acid
Coenzyme Q-10
2. Hormonal
Axis:
Chromium
- a mineral to enhance hormones
DHEA - a hormone replacement
Estrogen - a hormone replacement
Progesterone - a hormone replacement
Testosterone - a hormone replacement
Melatonin - a hormone replacement
Glutamine - an amino acid with pro-hormone activity
3.
Specialized Function Axis:
Bone
Function Enhancers - calcium - a mineral; certain
herbs Brain Function - Gingko Biloba
Brain Function - Vitamin B's
Brain Function - Phosphatidyl Serine
Prostate Health - Saw Palmetto
Immunity Health - Zinc
Permit us a note of precaution
in reference to taking some of these supplements. 1.) Magnesium- do not
take excessive amount if you have kidney problems or severe heart failure.
2.) Gingko Biloba - don't take excessive amount if you have blood clotting
problems. 3.) Fish Oil - don't take excessive amount if you have blood-clotting
problems. 4.) Niacin - liver toxicity in large doses have been reported.
Always consult a qualified health
care practitioner before embarking on any nutritional supplementation program,
especially if you have accompanying medical conditions.
1.
ANTIOXIDANTS AXIS
Just what are Anti-Oxidants?
Specifically they are chemicals that donate a sought after electron to a
free radical without becoming dangerous itself. The resultant free radical
is stabilized and the rampage of cellular and bodily destruction of our
body slows. One trillion molecules of oxygen go through each cell every
day, inflicting about 100,000 free radical hits on your genes or DNA every
day. 99% are repaired by our body's anti-oxidants. 1,000 new wounds
are left each day. By age 30, we find a few million oxygen lesions (wounds
per cell in our body's l trillion cells). Scientists now postulate that
it is this cumulative trauma that results in disease such as cancer, stroke,
and heart disease commonly found in aging. By age 50, about 30% of your
cellular protein especially in the arteries and heart can be damaged by
free radical attacks especially molecules high in fat.
One maybe wondering where one
obtains anti-oxidants. They are plentiful
in healthy foods. Fruits and vegetables carry vast quantities of known and
unknown anti-oxidants. Astonishingly, eating five or more servings of fruits
and vegetables daily alone will provide a large amount of anti-oxidants.
VITAMIN
A - FIGHTS HEART DISEASE
Many studies have shown that
people with high levels of beta carotene in their diet not only have a less
likely chance of developing cancer, especially that of lung, but also the
rest of the GI tract like throat, esophagus, and mouth. It takes at least
12 years of high doses of beta-carotene to thwart the onset of cancer of
the lung. A Harvard Study of male physicians taking 50 mg supplements
of beta carotene every other day for 6 years show that the controlled group
had only half the number of fatal heart attacks and strokes compared to
the general population. Another Harvard study of 90,000 female nurses
show that those eating the most beta carotene (more that 11,000 I.U. per
day) had a 22% lower risk of heart disease than those getting less than
3,800 I.U. per day. In addition, the study showed that those women who
ate at least 5 carrots a week were 68% less likely to have strokes compared
to the normal group. Eating a high volume of spinach also cut the stroke
risk by 40 % (spinach contains a lot of beta-carotene).
The
Alliance of Aging Research suggests that adults should take 10 mg (17,000
I.U.) to 30 mg (50,000 I.U.) per day of beta-carotene for life. One
cup of carrot juice equals 24.2 mg and one medium sweet potato equals 10
mg. Incidentally, heavy cooking destroys beta-carotene.
If you want extra insurance against
aging, many researchers favor a supplement
of 15,000 I.U. to 25,000 I.U. of beta-carotene per day. Beta-Carotene
should be taken with meals because it dissolves in fat easily. Beta-Carotene
is from plant source and is safe and non-toxic at up to 100,000 I.U. per
day for many.
Plain-type Vitamin A is derived
from animal foods such as liver and can built up to toxic levels in you
liver and found in most supplements in the form of retinal Vitamin A. Adults
should take no more than 5,000 to 10,000 I.U. of this type of Vitamin A.
High doses (more than 25,000 I.U. daily) of Vitamin A itself can cause hypervitamintosis,
a condition characterized by yellowing of skin, blurred vision, loss of
appetite, diarrhea, muscular weakness, that disappears when the intake is
cut back.
As far as anti-oxidants projects
are concerned, both beta-carotene and
Vitamin A is effective on its own. Together, their collective effect is
greater than one or two alone. In a Harvard study of female nurses,
it is shown that there is a 34 % drop in heart disease in those taking vitamin
E alone; 22% drop in cardiovascular disease in those taking beta carotene
alone; and 20 % drop in heart disease in those taking vitamin C alone. For
those taking the highest amount of all three anti-oxidants, the rate of
heart disease dropped 50 %.
VITAMIN
C - BEST FOR LONGEVITY
It has now been decades since
widespread public knowledge about the efficacy of vitamin C came. It all
began with Dr. Linus Pauling, a two time Nobel Prize winning laureate. He
himself started taking high doses of vitamin C in 1965. He died in 1994
at the age of 93. He believes that his death was delayed for 20 years because
of his vitamin C intake, that went as high as 18,000 milligrams per day
in later years. In his work on vitamin C, Dr.
Pauling makes it clear that he believes that people can have an extra 12-18
years of life if one takes 3,200 to 12,000 milligrams of vitamin C per day
(equivalent to 45-75 REDs). Corroborating his assertions in a
study of 11,000 Americans where he postulate that intake of 300 mg of Vitamin
C per day (equivalent to 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day) adds
up to 6 years to a man's life and 2 years to a woman's life. Likewise, cardiovascular
disease in this group declined by significantly.
 Vitamin
C is a water-soluble antioxidant. Human
are one of the few animals that cannot produce this vitamin and therefore
must get it from external source. Fortunately, it is found abundantly in
fruits and vegetables such as RED, papaya, tomato, and brussels sprouts.
It is a supplement needed as insurance against the increased demands of
aging.
Vitamin
C also comes in a fat-soluble form called ascorbyl palmitate. Once absorbed,
ascorbyl palmitate has been shown in Dr. Pauling’s studies to fortify the
micro-capillary wall of blood vessels that often deteriorate due to the
aging process. Taken In conjunction with the amino acids L-lysine and L-proline,
Dr. Pauling’s studies show substantial reduction in atheroclerosis plague
in his subjects on this program.
What Vitamin C Does
Research on vitamin C is so well
known that many people probably know at least two or three effects of Vitamin
C. The effects of vitamin C are wide ranging. They have been postulated
to immunize against cancer, saves arteries by driving up HDL, raises
immunity by increasing production of lymphocytes; reverses biological clock
by increasing white blood cell level in elderly; improves sperm and restores
male fertility; combats gum disease; suppresses high blood pressure; and
regenerates Vitamin E and glutathione.
How Much Vitamin C to Take?
Normally
250-1,000 mg is adequate anti-aging intake (one RED contains about 65 mg).
One needs to take vitamin C 2-3 times per day for best result as it is water-soluble
and is quickly excreted by our kidneys.
Side Effects of Vitamin C
No
serious adverse effects were reported in eight studies from taking 10,000
mg of Vitamin C daily for several years. However, too much of
it may cause diarrhea, nausea, and heartburn. It has been reported to exacerbate
iron toxicity in those with genetic disorder such as hemochromatosis. Those
who have a sensitive stomach can take “ester” form of Vitamin C for less
irritation.
VITAMIN
E
If
there is a single most important vitamin to delay aging many researchers
and anti-aging physicians would agree that it is vitamin E. It
is a powerful anti-oxidant which fights arteriosclerosis and cancer. One
cannot get enough of it from food unless you eat 5,000 calories per day
(which would mostly be in fat). By the
way, the RDA of Vitamin E is 25 IU. Optimum dose, however, is 400 I.U. in
order to prevent artery disease and oxidation of LDL. Not taking Vitamin
E may be equal to the risk posed by smoking.
Additionally, vitamin E blocks
the clogging of arteries free radical and results in fat that infiltrates
artery walls, causing plaque build up and artery clogging. Studies have
shown that taking 800 I.U. per day for 3 months slashes LDL oxidation by
40 %. Likewise in people over 60 years old, taking 400-800 I.U.'s per day
for 30 days results in improvement in immune function.
As far as taking vitamin E, recommended
dose suggested by the Alliance for Aging Research is between 100-400 I.U.
(The typical multivitamin carries about 15 I.U.) To get 400 I.U.
per day in terms of food, you need to drink 2 quarts of corn oil, or 5 pounds
of wheat germ, or eat 8 cups of almonds, or 28 cups of peanuts. Two types
of vitamin E exist: natural and synthetic. So far the natural form appears
superior but results are inconclusive. The most active biological form is
alpha tocopherol. Since vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient, there are risks
of toxicity to the system. Up to 400 I.U. no significant toxicity exists.
800 I.U. generally is a medically acceptable level. At this level some blood
thinning may occur. Therefore, higher dosages is not recommended for
people on anti-coagulation therapy; over 3000 I.U. per day, side-effects
such as headache, diarrhea, and increase blood pressure have been documented.
SELENIUM
This essential trace mineral
has powerful antioxidant properties with
anti-aging properties. It is an essential building block for the
making of glutathione peroxidase, one of our most important enzymes that
neutralizes free radicals.
It is a fact that as you age,
your levels of selenium falls. Selenium blood levels
drop 7 % after age 60 and 24 % after age 75. Worse yet, declining
levels of selenium signifies less antioxidant activity in our body. People
with decreased levels of selenium are associated with higher incidence of
heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. Additionally, Animal studies
show that selenium block up to 100 % of various tumors types of tumors.
A University Arizona study of 1,700 elderly Americans show that those with
low level of selenium are more apt to have polyps in the GI tract (33 %
compared to 9 % in those with high level of selenium). In another study
of 3,000 older persons on selenium, this time in a Dutch study, showed a
reduction in the risks for lung cancer by 50 %. Likewise, selenium intake
can lead to reduced heart disease. It prevents platelet aggregation that
normally leads to blood clots and it blocks oxidation of bad type of LDL
cholesterol. A large-scale Finnish study showed that those with lowest level
of selenium in their blood were 3 times more apt to die of heart disease.
Selenium
can be found in grains, sunflower seeds, meat, seafood especially tuna,
swordfish, and garlic. The anti-aging nut, the Brazil nut, contains about
100 mcg of selenium due to the soil.
One
should take between 75-200 mcg of selenium per day for anti-aging purposes.
Most common multivitamins do not contain that much selenium and
therefore most likely you will need a separate selenium capsule as supplement.
MAGNESIUM
Like selenium, magnesium
is a strong anti-oxidant. Its absorbability decreases with age.
Animals deprived of magnesium produces classical symptoms of prematured
aging especially as it relates to cardiac conditions such as arteriosclerosis
and arrhythmias. Even with low RDA for
magnesium, only 25 % of Americans meet that standard. You need about 2,000
calories per day diet to get enough magnesium.
Magnesium functions in many ways
to prevent many illnesses and to keep us healthy and young. First, magnesium
acts as an anti-oxidant against free radical damage to the mitochondria,
resulting in declining function and aging. It also protects the heart by
preventing coronary artery spasm and cardiac athrymias. Additionally, it
inhibits the release of thromboxane, which makes platelet clot more easily.
The power of magnesium doesn't stop there, but continues on with working
on bones from degenerating. It does this by working together with vitamin
D and calcium. In fact, long term deficiency in magnesium triggers osteoporosis.
You may wonder where magnesium
is found, in what foods? Magnesium makes
its "home" in whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes. The RDA of
magnesium is 300 mg. Nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, peanuts are
rich in magnesium. (Studies found that nut lovers who eat at
least 5 times a week have half the risk of heart attack compared to those
eating less than once a week. Researchers think this may be due the magnesium
in nuts).
Magnesium as a supplement? Do
you need it? Definitely, if you don't eat enough magnesium rich food. Magnesium
is inexpensive and is an excellent insurance policy against aging. Supplement-wise,
300-700 mg is adequate for anti-aging dose according to most experts since
there is abundant supply in regular food. Some experts recommend 500 mg
per day. A typical once-a-day vitamin pill contains less than
100 mg (about 25% to the RDA).
Daily intake of 500 mg is generally
safe in the absence of kidney disease. More than 700 mg of daily elemental
magnesium can cause diarrhea. Also, don't take extra magnesium if you have
severe kidney problems or severe heart failure before consulting your physician.
GLUTATHIONE
Gluthathione is a naturally occurring
amino acid that is in food and made by every cell in your body. It is a
fact that Glutathione blood levels drop 17 % between ages 40 and 60. Individuals
with low glutathione levels are one-third more likely to have chronic diseases.
Many hospitalized patients with chronic disease are glutathione deficient.
Where is glutathione found? It
has been located in cruciferous vegetables: Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower,
broccoli, and in fruits such as watermelon, and grapefruit. Glutathione
levels are boosted by vitamin C and selenium.
COENZYME
Q-10
Coenzyme Q-10 also known as CoQ-10
is one of the recent rages in the supplement field. It is what it says it
is: an enzyme. It is made by the body and is found in seafood. Like many
of the other nutrients we have discussed, it too is an antioxidant. As the
body ages it ceases to produce this nutrient after about age 20. One
startling fact reveals that a diseased heart shows severe deficiencies of
CoQ-10.
Nobody is yet sure exactly how
CoQ-10 works. We do know that it, like vitamin E, is a powerful anti-oxidant
to stabilize cell membrane. Research appears to suggest that it energizes
the mitochondria (the energy factory of the cell). It is, however, highly
concentrated in heart muscles which need a lot of energy to keep healthy.
It is, therefore, not surprising
to find CoQ-10 fights cardiomyopathy and
halts relentless oxidation of blood cholesterol LDL. In some
countries , CoQ-10 is given by cardiology departments to patients with congestive
heart failure. In Japan, more than 10 million Japanese were taking CoQ-10
as a prescription drug for cardiac problems.
Where to find
CoQ-10:
CoQ-10 can be found in many different
products such as: fatty fish like sardines; organ meats such as heart, liver,
and kidney; it can also be found in beef, soy and peanuts.
Should you supplement with CoQ-10?
Again, you would have to eat an excessive amount of food in order to get
enough CoQ-10. For instance, One pound
of sardines or 2.5 pounds of peanuts provide 30 mg of CoQ-10 (the recommended
anti-aging dose for healthy people). 30
mg, by the way, is a good anti-aging insurance, especially if you are over
50 years old.
How much of this nutrient is
necessary to take depends on whether you are healthy or not. The recommended
dose for healthy people is, again, 30 mg. For people with chronic disease
50-150 mg is suggested. Take this with meals for better absorption. You
can take 150mg all at the same time. No divided dose is necessary. Perhaps
helpful to note is that vitamin E, selenium, and the B vitamins all enhance
and boost the biosynthesis of CoQ-10 internally.
As to the toxicity question:
under normal subjects, no significant toxicity has been shown in high doses
in animal or long term human studies. So far, it is currently considered
one of the safest substances. There are reported cases however of transient
nausea.
2.
HORMONAL AXIS
Supplement within this category
enhances our hormonal system and restores our hormonal balance.
CHROMIUM
Chromium is a vital trace mineral
that is found in low dose in certain foods. It comes in the form of chromium
piccolinate. It causes decrease in blood insulin level and blood sugar level
as well. Furthermore, it promotes the rise in DHEA, another anti-aging hormone,
which decreased high levels of insulin through inhibition of an enzyme that
acts to produce DHEA. Chromium levels decline with each decade of life.
At any age, you can retard the progression
towards heart disease and diabetes by taking chromium.
In order to confront the nature
of chromium, it is necessary to face a few facts: 90
% of all Americans are deficient in the minimum recommended dosage of 50
mcg a day. To achieve the recommended
ant-aging properties of chromium, many researchers recommend taking 200
mcg a day. Without enough chromium, insulin and blood sugar levels
tend to rise in blood (affecting 50,000 Americans who have glucose intolerance),
leading to diabetes and heart disease.
Chromium - How it works
When we eat food, the level of
sugar goes up in our blood. Our body secretes insulin to help move the sugar
into the cell for energy. As we age, our cell's ability to move the sugar
decreases. In other words, the cell becomes insulin resistant. Our body
reacts by producing more insulin. In the interim, our body is bathed in
sugar that is destructive and causes aging. Chromium
increases insulin efficiency so that less insulin is needed but the exact
mechanism of this phenomenon is not fully known. If you eat sugary
foods, you may need more chromium because molasses sugar can destroy chromium.
Obtaining 33% of your calories from sugar
can causes 3 times the loss in chromium as compared to eating 10% of your
diet in sugar.
Unfortunately, food contains
very little chromium. In the best anti-aging diets, there is only l24mcg
of Chromium per 1000 calories. Foods high in chromium are: broccoli, barley,
liver, lobster tail, and mushrooms
Chromium
polynicotinate is the best form as it is readily absorbed and used by the
body. An adequate anti-aging dose is 200 mcg a day. For
optimum anti-aging effect, some researchers are recommending 400 mcg a day.
For diabetic or those trying to improve blood sugar levels (usually results
can be seen within a few days to a few weeks) more maybe needed. In such
cases, it is always advisable to consult your physician first. It is rare
to find 200 mcg of chromium polynicotinate in a regular multi-vitamin, so
it may be necessary to buy it separately.
DHEA
DHEA can be considered the master
steriod as it is the most abundant of all steroids. It is involved in
the manufacturing of testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and corticosteriods.
In animal studies, it has
been shown to have anti-obesity, anti-diabetes, anti-cancer, anti-autoimmune
disease, anti-stress, and anti-infectious disease. In other words, its
an all around anti-aging supplement.
Optimum
intake for anti-aging ranges from 25 to 50 mg per day.
ESTROGEN
Estrogen represents an entire
family of female related hormones. Its is commonly prescribed by physician
to post-menopausal women to combat symptoms of depression and osteoporosis.
It has been used for many decades by millions of women around the world,
mostly commonly in its synethetic form called Premarin. Studies have now
confirmed that synethetic estrogen is a carcinogen compound and should be
avoided. Women taking this compound have a higher risk of hormon related
cancer such as breast and ovarian cancer. Furthermore, synethetic estrogen
does not have a protective effect on the cardiovascular system as many thought
it had. Estrogen replacement , however, can be considered if there is a
true estrogen deficiency situation. In this case, natural estrogen accompanied
by natural progesterone should be used in combination. Unopposed estrogen
( without natural progesterone) should not be used .
Being a prescription drug in
either the natural or synthetic form, you must see a licensed physician
before starting on this medicine.
PROGESTERONE
Progesterone is a precursor of
most other adrenal hormones. It counters the effect of estrogen and is a
prescription medication. Natural progesterone is often better with fewer
side effects.
Progesterone is a growth hormone
stimulant. It promotes the breakdown of fat and has properties to protect
against endometrial cancer when given with estrogen for 10 or more days
per cycle.
Being a prescription drug, you
must see a licensed physician before starting on this medicine.
TESTOSTERONE
Testosterone is a male sex hormone.
It decreases with age, starting in the mid 40s. By age 80, you only have
40% the level that you had when you were 40 years old. The decline of testosterone
account for the “pot belly “and loss of muscle mass in middle aged men.
Testosterone replacement therapy
(TRT) for men is as potent in its anti-aging effect as estrogen and progesterone
in women.
TRT is given as intramuscular
injections, suppositories, or a patch to the scrotum. It is also available
as micronized capsules or sublingual lozenges.
TRT is a potent stimulant
of growth hormone. Its saves bone for men affected with osteoporosis. Being
a prescription drug, you must see a licensed physician before starting on
this medicine.
One of the side effect of TRT
is a higher level of PSA ( prostate specific antigen) and a rise in hematocrit.
PSA is a marker of prostate health. Those on TRT should do PSA test every
6 months and yearly ultrasound for prostate screening.
MELATONIN
Melatonin is a hormone with powerful
anti-oxidant properties. It is secreted by the pineal gland (the timekeeper
of the brain and that which controls our circadian rhythms).
It is an immune booster, cancer
fighter, mood elevator, and a natural sleeping pill. Dosage varies tremendously
from person to person. While the “standard”
dose commonly found over the counter is 3 mg, some need 0.3 mg while others
may need much more to work. For many, a lower dose (0.5 mg) actually works
better than the commonly seen over the counter 3 mg dose.
Melatonin is contraindicated
in pregnant or nursing mother, or women trying to conceive, or people who
are on prescription steroids.
GLUTAMINE
Glutamine is a non-essential
amino acid found in protein. It is considered to be the mother of all amino
acids. It can be synthesized from numbers of amino acids such as glutamic
acid, valine and isoleucine. In time of stress and disease, the body cannot
manufacture enough (such condition includes stress form exercise such as
weight training). Under such situation, supplementation of glutamine can
make a world of difference.
As an amino acid, it is a neurotransmitter
in the brain and is essential for proper brain function. It is energy source
in the brain. · In higher quantity, becomes powerful anti-oxidant. Glutamine
is naturally found in our body and it is stored primarily in our muscles.
If you don’t have enough glutamine, you breakdown your muscles (catabolism).
Due to its effect in promoting recovery and healing, it is commonly added
into protein drinks used in muscle building program since it prevents muscle
wasting as it slows down protein breakdown. Those who are in weight training
may need about 2-3 grams/day, right after intense work -out or before going
to bed .
Over supplementation can contribute
to ammonia overload. This is not good for the kidneys.
For anti-aging purposes, 500 mg to 2000 mg a day is generally accepted.
Up to 20,000 is used by some during high stress periods. It is preferred
the glutamine be taken in divided dose.
Other ingredient that potentate
Glutamine action include glysine which helps to induce the cell-volumizing
effect, and alanine which help preserve muscle glutamine concentrations
by converting it to blood glucose during calorie restriction ( dieting,
in between meals)
Anti aging benefit includes the
following:
Improve Immune function thus
prevent infection (infection can cause cellular damage/ increase stress/
aging process), thus slowing aging process.
Help overcome daily stress thus
prevent oxidative damage oxidative damage causes cellular damage.
Prevent catabolic effect from
Cortisol thus prevent acceleration of aging process.
It
promotes extra growth hormone release. 2 grams of glutamine has been shown
to cause a fourth fold increase in growth hormone level and thus help to
slow the aging process.
3.
SPECIALIZED FUNCTIONS AXIS
A - Bone Enhancer - Calcium 500
mg
B - Cerebral Function Enhancer
- Gingko 30-60 mg
C - Prevent Pseudo Alzheimer
- B-12 500 mg
D - Fight Homocycsteine - Folic
Acid 300 - 400 mcg
E - Cerebral Function Enhancer
- phosphatidylserine 30 - 100 mg
F - Prevent Benign Prostatic
Hyperplasia - Saw Palmetto 160 - 320 mg
G - Immune Enhancer - Zinc 15-30
mg
A.
CALCIUM
Not many people especially for
woman over 35 need to be told about the importance of calcium in their diet
and that supplementation is need for this vital mineral. Osteoporosis is
near the top of killers for women and also surprisingly for men. A study
by a French scientist who studied 3270 women over age 80 who took daily
doses of 1,200 mg of elemental calcium plus 800 I.U. of vitamin D showed
that those who took it had 43 % less fractures of the hip and 32 % less
fractures of the wrist, arm and pelvis. Hip fracture carries a mortality
rate of 20 % and leave many disabled. No matter how old you are you need
calcium.
Most Americans get only half
the calcium they need for anti-aging. Unbeknownst to many, calcium deficiency
affects both men and women. Less than 50 % of children in the U.S. get the
recommended dietary allowance of calcium.
Fresh infusion of calcium in
the diet or in supplements keeps bones young. Intake of calcium needs to
start at an early age to maximize bone mass early in life and to minimize
bone thinning later in life. Bone mass buildup happens most during adolescence.
It is especially important, therefore, for girls make sure that there is
sufficient calcium on board before puberty and throughout their young adulthood
in order to build the bone mass up which may erode later in life.
Calcium - How much to take
according to the RDA ?
- Age 6-10: 800 mg per day
 -
Age 11-24 1,200 to 1,500 mg per day
- Age 25 and above: 1,000 mg
per day
Calcium is found in yogurt,
milk, broccoli, tofu, canned sardines, canned salmon with bones. A glass
of skim milk contains 300 mg; a cup of yogurt up to 400 mg. Actually, tofu
and vegetables provide enough calcium. Absorption of calcium from foods
is higher when taken with milk.
Many
anti-aging researchers believe that magnesium instead of calcium is the
key to prevention of osteoporosis and with good reasons. It is important
to keep a calcium/magnesium ratio of 1 to1 to 1 to 2. This translate
into 300- 500 mg of calcium and 500-1000 mg of magnesium a day in terms
of supplementation.
Low dose calcium supplementation
of 300mg to 500 mg is recommended unless you take several servings
a day of high calcium food such as dairy products, canned sardines or salmon
as well as tofu. Calcium supplements are not expensive, and moreover, they
are effective and reliable.
Calcium - How to take it
Don't take calcium supplement
made of bone meal or dolomite that contains lead. The best choice of
calcium is calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. Be sure to read the
label - calcium gluconate contains 9 % elemental calcium and calcium carbonate
has 40 %. Finding this out is important because you absorb 10-30 % more
from calcium supplement than from food, especially from calcium carbonate.
Also remember that it is good to have a cycle rest time of 2 weeks every
3 months so that the body has time to reactivate the bone so that they don't
get lazy.
Please also be attentive to the
fact that toxicity of calcium can occur. Too much calcium can cause constipation.
In order to prevent this: drink lots of water and space the pills throughout
the day. Don't take more than 500-600 mg at one time for the best absorption.
A split dosage is normally recommended - take 500 g in the morning, 500
g in the evening is better than taking in one go.
B.
GINGKO
Gingko or Gingko biloba as it
is commonly known is a popular herb that comes from the ginkgo biloba tree
found throughout the world. It is a herb which has been used for 5,000 years
by humans. It is the most popular prescription drug in Germany and France
for symptoms of aging in association with deteriorating memory. In 1988
it was prescribed more than 5 million times in Germany alone. Not only
is it used for improved memory functions but it possesses properties which
improve blood circulation.
Gingko - What it does?
Hundreds of scientific papers
have been published on ginkgo, confirming that ginkgo stimulates blood flow
to the brain by:
a)
Dilating blood vessels
b)
Decreasing platelet aggregation
c)
Being a powerful antioxidant to block oxidation of fatty cell membrane.
As
a result, it improves cerebral vascular insufficiency, memory and peripheral
circulation in conditions such as intermittent claudication. Additionally,
it has been shown to help slow down Alzheimers Disease.
Gingko - How much?
Usual
dosage is 30 mg 1-2 times a day for protective function and 3 times a day
to improve symptoms. Be alert to the fact that it takes 4-8 weeks to see
any benefits, and that benefits revert back when intake is halted.
Gingko is considered very safe
among natural drugs. Adverse reactions include upset stomach, headache,
and slight dizziness in elderly patients and can occur in dosages as much
as120 mg per day. Consult a physician before taking excessive ginkgo especially
if you have blood clotting disorders.
C.
THE B FAMILY OF VITAMINS
The B family of vitamins consists
of 8 vitamins: all of which the human system needs to function properly.
All B vitamins are needed to help cells grow and reproduce properly.
This group of vitamins is commonly known as the B Complex. The following
is a listing of these vitamins and the benefits they contributed to your
health: 1.) B1 (Thiamine) is critical for mental function and nerve growth
2.) B2 (Riboflavin) is required for cell growth and release of energy -
3.) B3 (Niacin) is required for proper cellular functioning and reduces
cholesterol - 4.) B5 (Pantothenic Acid) breaks down fat so that it can be
converted to energy; needed for Vitamin D, hormones and RBC synthesis -
5.) B6 (Pyridoxine) converts amino acid to protein and synthesis of enzymes
and prevents heart disease - 6.) Biotin breaks down fat, protein and carbohydrates
into energy - 7.) Folic Acid promotes cell growth and cell division. It
also prevents birth defects and heart disease - 8.) B12 (Cobalamine) converts
carbohydrate, protein, and fat into energy. It also makes red blood cells
and helps prevent heart disease.
Vitamin
B12 - Facts
First,
it should be known that most people get enough of B Vitamins from their
food with the exception of Vitamin B-12 and Folic Acid. Over 24 % of people
60-69 years old are deficient in B-12 and over 40% of people over 80 years
old are deficient in it as well, due to a decrease in secretion
of an intrinsic factor necessary for Vitamin B absorption. Another fact
is that lack of B-12 causes pseudo senility that produces Alzheimer-like
symptoms. Many people probably do not realize that you can have a "normal"
blood test and still lack B-12 to carry out metabolic functions. Although
many people know it, it is best to acknowledge that B-12 deficiency can
also cause pernicious anemia.
Vitamin B-12 can be found only
in animal foods such as fish, chicken and dairy foods. Vegetarians
are also more susceptible to B-12 deficiency.
B-12 and Supplementation
Supplementation
of B-12 is recommended as an anti-aging insurance, especially after age
50. The stomach even in the presence of atrophic gastritis due
to the crystalline form can absorb a B-12 supplement pill. A typical multiple
vitamin pill with 6 mcg contains the minimum requirement to prevent B-12
deficiency. 500 mcg - 1000 mcg per day
in older people is more appropriate for anti aging purposes. It is advisable
to begin taking it in your 50s and 60s
D.
Folic Acid (Vitamine B9)
Much has been in the news about
the efficacy of Folic Acid recently. Mainly this news concerned the salutary
effects it can have in preventing diseases.
What does folic acid do? Well,
for one thing, it metabolizes homocysteine (high homocysteine level triple
your chances of heart disease) and it keeps it in check. As a result it
protects you from heart disease. If you get less than 350 mg of folic acid
you are apt to have high homocycteine levels.
A few facts about folic acid:
1) the average American over 50 years old only takes in 130 mcg of folic
acid per day. 2) the less folic acid in the blood, the more your arteries
are going to be narrowed and clogged. 3.) Smokers need 3 times more folic
acid to have the same effect as non-smokers.
It has been discovered that folic
acid, preserves mental function as you age. People with low folic acid level
are more likely to have depression, dementia, memory loss, and other psychiatric
symptoms. Depression has also been relieved by as little as 400 mcg of
folic acid in those with deficiency.
Where is folic acid found? Food
such as dried beans, spinach, citrus food contains the most folic acid.
It is interesting to note that your body absorbs and uses up to 50% of the
folic acid in the food you eat. However, a supplement is recommended in
order to afford added insurance and to make sure that homocysteine levels
are kept low. Generally, though, you can take enough folic acid from food.
Lastly, 300-400 mcg a day helps to depress homocysteine hazard, cancer
threats, and reverses psychiatric disorders. This amount can usually be
found in a good multi-vitamin pill.
E.
PHOSPHATIDYL SERINE (PS)
This fatty acid optimizes a variety
of functions at the nerve membrane of each nerve cell. PS provides
metabolic support for memory, learning, and concentration for decline in
cognitive function that is well underway by the 5th decade of life.
PS works in totally different
pathway as compared to Gingko and N-Acetyl-L-Carnitine (NAC) which are also
nutritional supplement with cognitive function enhancing effects. Optimum
intake is 60-120mg per day. Many studies
spanning 30 years indicate that PS supports EG integration, and circadian
rhythms of hormone release. Various clinical trials indicate that PS can
help to imrove memory, learning, vocabulary skills, and concentration, as
well as mood, alertness, and sociability.
F.
SAW PALMETTO
This herb has been shown by many
studies to help relieve the common symptoms
of Benign Protstatic Hyperplasia, a common problem associated with most
male over 35 - 40 years old, with symptoms such as urination
frequency , difficulty in passing urine, and a decrease in the force of
the urine stream. This is due to enlargement of the prostate gland pressing
on the urethra. The enlargement of the prostate is due to a male hormone
that is released which stimulates hormonal growth.
Optimal
intake of saw palmetto is 160mg two times a day. Look for products that
include stinging nettles (a wonderful natural diuretic), and pygeium, another
herb that can relieve the symptoms of BPH.
G.
ZINC
Zinc is a mineral produced by
the thymus gland. This gland is the site for T-cell production, and is large
and robust during youth adolescence but progressively starts to shrink after
puberty. T-cell lymphocyte is responsible for fighting infections in our
body. Without T-cells our B-cells falter in their ability to make antibodies.
A few facts about zinc are forthcoming.
First, thirty-three percent of healthy
Americans over age fifty have Zinc deficiencies and do not know it. On top
of this over 90% of older healthy Americans have a zinc level below that
of the RDA. Furthermore, you need a daily caloric intake of 2,400 to get
the RDA for zinc.
Zinc can be found mostly in
lean meat, seafood (especially oyster) and poultry. Cereals, nuts and seeds
are also high in zinc, but they contain fiber that blocks zinc absorption.
This is critical because absorption by our GI tract is drastically reduced
by age 50. Calorically speaking, you need to take in 2,400 calories a day
of meat oriented diet to get enough zinc.
What
is enough? Daily dose of 15-30 mg is enough to preserve immune function
due to aging. For those over 75 years old, up to 50 mg may be needed under
the supervision of a physician as high doses can actually depress the immune
system.
Then where does this leave supplementation?
Supplementation is recommended if you want to enhance your immune system.
Likewise if you want to enhance anti-aging effect supplementation is recommended.
You may opt to get a white blood cell count that measures zinc in order
to get a sense of the condition of your immune system.
ANTI-AGING
SUPPLEMENT STRATEGY - SUMMARY
To the first and foremost step
in anti-aging supplement strategy it is to choose
a high quality standard multivitamin mineral formula with optimum and safe
levels of vitamins and minerals. In addition, add special nutrients needed
for your specific needs in addition.
 While
nutritional supplementation is over the counter and is considered a dietary
supplement by FDA, it is Always prudent to consult your anti-aging physician
for further information , especially if you have associated medical conditions.
Refer to the following quick reference guide for general anti-aging supplement
strategy recommendations:
Antioxidant
Axis:
Beta-carotene
(Vitamin A) - 10,000 to 25,000 I.U.
Vitamin
C - 300 - 3,000 mg
Vitamin
E - 100 to 400 I.U.
Selenium
- 50 to 200 mcg
Magnesium
- 300 to 1000 mg
CoQ-15
- 30 mg-120 mg
Glutathione
- 50 to 100 mg
Hormonal
Axis:
Chromium
- 100-200 mcg
Estrogen
- as needed
DHEA
- as needed
Melatonin
- as needed
Glutamine
- 500-2000 mg
Specialized
Function Axis:
Zinc
for Immunity - 15 to 30 mg
Calcium
for Bone - 300 to 500 mg
Gingko
for brain - 30 mg - 100 mg
Garlic
for immunity- 3-6 capsule or eat lots of garlic
B12
- 500-1000 mcg
Folic
Acid - 300-400 mcg
RDA
OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS
- RDA of Fat Soluble Vitamins:
Vitamin A 5,000 I.U.; Vitamin
D - 200 I.U.; Vitamin E 15 I.U.; Vitamin C 60 mg; Vitamin K 80 mg
- RDA of Water Soluble Vitamins:
Thiamine 1.5 mg; Riboflavin 1.7
mg; Niacin 19 mg; pyridonine 2.0 mg folic acid 200 mcg; cobalamine 2.0 mg
- RDA of Minerals:
Calcium 1,000 mg; Magnesium 350
mg; Phosphorous 700 mg
- RDA or SAI (Safe and Adequate
Intake) for Trace Minerals:
SAI for Chromium - 50 - 200 mcg;
SAO for Copper 1.5 to 3.0 mg; RDA for Iron 10 - 15 mg; RDA for selenium
75 - 250 mcg; RDA for zinc 12 - 15
Forward | Introduction
| Chapter 1 | Chapter
2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter
4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter
6
Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9
| Chapter 10 | Chapter
11 | Chapter 12 | Bibliography
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