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The
British Longevity Society is a
non-profit making society for people who want to live a longer, healthier life.
It was founded in 1993 and has a worldwide membership
Contact
the BLS at www.antiageing.freeserve.co.uk
Anti-ageing
Drugs and Supplements
This
is a brief guide to some commonly used anti-ageing drugs and supplements that
should be used under medical guidance. Some of the following products are found
in your ordinary diet, some may be purchased in UK Health Shops or through the
contact details that are included. Others are not available in the UK but a
doctor may be able to order them from abroad.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Alpha
Lipoic Acid
This
product is thought to be a very good antioxidant which boosts the levels of
glutathione in the cells. Glutathione is itself an antioxidant involved in many
chemical everyday processes. High glutathione levels are associated with a
strong immunity. Low glutathione on the other hand, is found in patients
suffering from cancer or Parkinson’s disease.
Alpha
Lipoic Acid improves energy production within the cell and also helps boost
blood circulation in the arteries. Because Alpha Lipoic Acid helps break down
sugar molecules, it may be useful in patients suffering from diabetes. Finally,
Alpha Lipoic Acid may boost the concentrations of the vitamins C and E as well
as recycle other important antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10. The long term side
effects and dangers related to treatment with this supplement are not well
known. Also, it may be difficult to get it from the UK, although it is easily
available in the US.
Carnosine
Many
BLS members have decided to try the new anti-ageing supplement carnosine. We
have received several letters from members who were very pleased with the
results. Users reported an increase in stamina and muscle tone, better sleep
patterns and better physical energy. Those who did not experience any obvious
positive effects, are still well protected against ageing, because carnosine
works form the ‘inside’ safeguarding against the effects of age.
The capsules need to be taken every day, long-term, for best protection
against age-related problems.
Users
of carnosine have received a questionnaire to evaluate their experience. If you
haven’t yet returned your questionnaire, please do so now , to help us
evaluate this very promising product. If you want to order carnosine please
write to the BLS enclosing a cheque for £20 for a pot of 60 capsules (taken one
a day). The trial is under the
guidance of Dr Marios Kyriazis, in
association with researchers from Guy’s Hospital (University of London).
As
mentioned earlier, this is a new supplement and our experience in using it is
limited. However, we do not expect any side effects or dangerous long-term
problems, as this is a naturally-occurring product, found in our muscles and
brain. If you do not like taking tablets, you may want to get your extra
supplies of carnosine from red meat or chicken.
Deprenyl
and ageing
Deprenyl
is a chemical used as an anti-ageing drug by many people over the past decades.
It is now an accepted drug and is used for the treatment of Parkinson’s
disease, but its use as a general anti-ager has been clouded in controversy.
Laboratory experiments with rats have shown that those animals treated with
deprenyl lived on average 40% longer than the rest.
Professor
Josef Knoll, a Hungarian researcher who performed the original experiments
during the 1960’s to 1980’s, thinks that everybody past middle age should
take deprenyl for its anti-ageing properties. However, most doctors do not share
this view, believing that there is a great difference between a few experiments
in rats and using a drug on humans.
Several
researchers who tried to check these studies arrived at equivocal conclusions.
Some found positive results, whereas others did not. One reason for this could
be that there are different forms of deprenyl.
The form ‘deprenyl hydrochloride’ is used by conventional doctors to
treat Parkinson’s disease, whereas the form ‘deprenyl citrate’ is the form preferred by anti-ageing doctors.
Also, the dose used in experiments is crucial. Some researchers used much lower
or much higher doses than ideal, therefore the final results were confounded.
Despite
these confusing results, deprenyl is thought by some scientists to protect brain
cells from damage; to be an antioxidant; and to stimulate other antioxidants in
the brain. Several research projects aim to evaluate the use of deprenyl in a
variety of conditions such as tiredness and loss of energy, stroke, multiple
sclerosis, and even cancer.
Deprenyl
is also thought to increase the concentration of the hormone DHEA which may play
an important part in preventing ageing diseases. DHEA supplements are now banned
in the UK and suppliers of DHEA find great difficulty in obtaining it. So, as an
alternative, many DHEA users are now looking to substances like deprenyl,
which stimulate the body to produce its own supply.
People
who take deprenyl (the usual dose is 10 mg a day, but others take 10 mg a week)
say that it improves memory, sexual function and well being. Side effects are
drowsiness, stomach upset, nausea depression or raised blood pressure.
Some
researches warn, however, that taking deprenyl in high doses may actually reduce
lifespan and cause more problems than it solves. The majority of conventional
physicians and scientists do not endorse this product, believing that, apart
from an established benefit in sufferers of Parkinson’s disease, there is no
substantial evidence to support its use in anti-ageing medicine.
FCS
Ginger, Curcumin and Boswellia,
Flavonoids
Flavonoids
are also found in red wine, onions
and apples. At a recent meeting to evaluate the effects of tea, it was reported
that there is considerable evidence that consumption of tea reduces the risk of
heart attacks. For example, those who drink one or more cups of tea a day,
reduce their risk of having a heart attack by 38%-44%. Flavonoids have many
other health benefits including an effect on
the prostate, brain, skin and on menopausal symptoms.
Isoflavones
Many
women are turning their attention to natural ways of dealing with menopausal
symptoms. Natural isoflavones are chemicals present in plants such as red clover
and soya. A supplement called Novogen Red Clover aims to provide enough natural
oestrogens to balance the effects of the menopause. Natural oestrogens are not
necessarily free from side effects such as breast tenderness or heavy menstrual
bleeding. They are taken, however, by an increasing number of women.
Isoflavone
oestrogens ‘modulate’ the oestrogen receptor on the cell membrane. This
means that the isoflavone molecule attaches itself to the receptor and, if there
is too much of the body’s own oestrogen, it blocks it. If there is too little
human oestrogen, it boosts it. In this way, the levels of human oestrogen in the
body remain balanced.
Lycopene
Tomatoes
which contain the antioxidant lycopene are believed to be one of the best
anti-ageing foods available. Researchers have even used genetic engineering to
develop tomatoes with high concentrations of lycopene. Lycopene is a chemical
similar to beta carotene and has many abilities in fighting age-related
illnesses. Raw tomatoes are not as
good as cooked tomatoes or tomato sauce (as in pizzas) in providing lycopene. This is because of the way lycopene is
absorbed in the gut, a process which is made easier by the presence of oil. This
the reason why the Mediterranean habit of using tomatoes in olive oil is
believed to be one of the healthiest eating habits available.
Several
studies from across the world have found that a diet rich in lycopene can
protect against the development of prostate
cancer, cancer of the mouth, stomach, large bowel and cervix. Some researchers
say that lycopene may also help in treating the signs of existing cancer. This
has been shown particularly in men suffering from cancer of the prostate.
Other
benefits of lycopene are a reduction of atherosclerosis, which is important in
preventing heart attacks and stroke. Lycopene can help unblock clogged arteries,
easing blood flow to the brain and heart. Other studies suggest that it protects
the sking against sun damage due to a flitering of the harmful UV radiation, and
finally, it protects ageing cells against damage.
Lycopene
products are available in tablet, capsule or powered form from health shops or
by mail order.
Modafinil
Modafinil
and Adrafinil are two related products, used to stimulate the brain. They are
thought to increase alertness and improve memory, concentration and attention
span. These drugs were developed by French researchers and are not known to the
great majority of British doctors.
Side effects include liver damage, headaches, stomach pains and skin rashes. The
usage of modafinil needs to be monitored with regular blood tests.
Phosphatidyl
Serine
Cytoplan
is a supplier of several
plant-related and other natural
supplements. They supply the supplement Phosphatidyl Serine which is thought to
strengthen brain power and improve memory. This supplement is obtained from soya,
by a chemical process to enrich the natural soya molecules. Phosphatidyl Serine
has been studied in a variety of research projects and the results were found to
be generally positive. This supplement has featured in a previous BLS newsletter
and it will also be discussed in a future one. For more information contact
Cytoplan on 01684 310 099.
Pregnenolone
Due
to some problems regarding DHEA usage, the public attention is now shifting to
pregnenolone. Several anti-ageing doctors believe that this supplement is one of
the most effective anti-agers. They say that it has been used for many decades
with few side effects. Its main uses are to treat stress, arthritis, tiredness,
poor memory and depression. Pregnenolone is formed inside our bodies starting
from the cholesterol molecule. It is thought to balance other hormones in the
body such as DHEA, progesterone, oestrogen and testosterone. The dose is between
10 mg - 100 mg a day. At present, there are no significant restrictions on its
use.
RN13
This
is an anti-ageing ‘designer’ drug. It is made up of 13 different types of
RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) which plays an important part during the formation of
proteins. It also contains certain
other agents such as vitamins, aminoacids and lecithin. Its users say that RN13
helps speed up wound healing and repairs age-damaged tissues. The RNA is
obtained by different animal sources such as lamb’s placenta, glands,
testicles, pancreas, parathyroid etc. It comes in injection and tablet form.
Side effects depend on the way of administration and include skin rashes and
worsening of gout. Antibiotics may block the action of RN13. This is intended as
a long-term anti-ageing treatment but experience of its use is limited, and
several doctors believe that there is not enough scientific evidence to support
the users’ claims.
Sulphur
There
are many nutritional supplements used in order to boost joint health. A new
supplement called Maxisulph
contains a form of naturally occurring organic sulphur. This is supposed to
supplement the sulphur present in our diet and prevent aches, pains and joint
stiffness. Sulphur is present in fruit, vegetables, milk and meat but it is
easily destroyed through cooking or storage. Maxisulph costs £11.99 for 70
tablets (these should last for over a month) and it is available
from health food stores.
Vinpocetine
A
relatively new drug, Vinpocetine is another ‘smart drug’ or nootropic. This
acts on the inside of the brain cells to stimulate the metabolism and thus
increase brain function.. It allows the brain to use oxygen more efficiently. It
has been used in certain cases of stoke and brain injury with some benefit. Some
people also use it in order to prevent stroke and brain ageing. There is no
sufficient information to warrant its use for these purposes, but research is
continuing.
Vitamin
K
The
use of vitamin K for age-related illnesses is very limited
but promising. Vitamin K can be useful in improving bone strength in
osteoporosis, it strengthens the arteries, eases blood flow and even reduces the
symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin K is found in yoghurt, potatoes,
alfalfa, tomatoes, cauliflower, liver, lean red meat, and eggs. Its main use by
the medical establishment is for controlling blood clotting abnormalities but
research shows that it has many other benefits. It is possible to get vitamin K
supplements in tablet form, although the commonest
way of using it for blood clot abnormalities is by injection.
Other
anti-ageing supplements include:
1.
Co-enzyme Q10, ginkgo biloba, the antioxidant vitamins C, E, A
2.Choline
and lecithin, aminoacid releasers
of growth hormone, echinacea, bilberry, St John’s Wort and Carnosine.
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