Can you give your body a helping hand?
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Fish oil supplements for a healthy heart ‘nonsense’ – BBC News – 18-Jul-2018
Cochrane researchers looked at trials in over 100,000 people.
Little proof that taking omega-3 prevented heart disease.
Does not benefit heart health or reduce risk of stroke or death from any cause.
Prof Tim Chico advises spending money on vegetables instead.
Eating oily fish still recommended as part of a healthy diet.
The Supplements Ray Kurzweil takes – Ray and Terry – 1-Jul-2018
Ray has opened up recently about his supplement regime.
His top 3 are Phosphatidylcholine, Resveratrol and Ubiquinol.
Other supplements include anti-inflammatories and blood thinners.
Also pills for brain health, digestion and detoxification.
No Heart Benefits From Common Dietary Supplements – Fight Aging – 30-May-2018
No significant effect on CVD outcomes and all-cause mortality from taking vitamins A, B6, and E; β-carotene; zinc; iron; magnesium; selenium; and multivitamins.
Niacin and antioxidants were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality.
Folic acid alone and B-vitamins with folic acid, B6, and B12 reduced stroke.
Multivitamins were taken by 31% of the US population in 2012.
Goldenrod Extract has a Marginal Senolytic Effect – LEAF Science – 27-Apr-18
Solidago virgaurea (goldenrod) extracts studied in relation to cellular senescence.
Administered to stress-induced premature senescent fibroblasts in cell culture.
Induced a papillary phenotype with improved functionality in human dermal fibroblasts.
Extract was effective at slowing down the cells’ journey to senescence.
But marginal improvements so don’t rush out and buy goldenrod supplements.
Goldenrod is traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory herbal medicine.
No Benefits of Higher Protein Intake in Older Individuals – Fight Aging – 4-Apr-2018
Possible cause of sarcopenia impaired processing of the essential amino acid leucine.
Study suggests effect of reduced protein intake is small compared to other factors.
Protein intake over RDA had no significant effect on body mass, muscle or function.
Few rigorous studies have evaluated whether higher protein intake among older adults.
OPTIMen was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group trial.
Seventy-eight participants completed the six-month trial.
Herbal remedies create dangerous clashes with cancer, CVD drugs – Telegraph – 24-Jan-2018
One if four people taking a herbal treatment alongside medication had a worrying drug reaction.
Patients taking warfarin and statins reported clinically significant interactions.
Potentially dangerous reactions were also seen alongside antidepressants and cancer therapies.
Many patients lied about their use of herbal medicines to the doctors.
Supplement can repair and rejuvenate muscles in older adults – Daily News – 19-Jul-2017
Sarcopenia is the deterioration of muscle mass and strength as part of aging.
Placebo controlled trial studied men aged 70 and older.
Combined with exercise participants gained more lean body mass than they would normally lose in a year.
Ingredients included whey protein, creatine, vitamin D, calcium and fish oil.
Compound in Strawberries Slows Aging in Mice – LEAF Science – 13-Jul-2017
Fisetin is a naturally occurring plant polyphenol from the flavonoid group.
It is found in many fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, apples, persimmons, onions, and cucumbers.
Found to clear senescent cells in a petri dish.
No evidence that fisetin has a senolytic effect in mice in vivo.
When added to the diet of SAMP8 mice delays some of the accelerated aging.
Geroprotectors: Creatine – LEAF – 16-May-2017
Creatine is a small peptid and an important energy buffer in muscle cells.
The body produces approximately 1 gram of creatine per day.
Creatine is naturally-occurring in many foods, particularly meat and fish.
But cooking denatures it so difficult to get enough of it in your diet.
Has neuroprotective properties and may reduce brain lesions.
Applied as a cream creatine may restore skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles by replenishing collagen stores.
Geroprotectors: Magnesium – LEAF – 26-Mar-2017
Not everyone gets enough of this essential element which is vital for cellular processes.
The daily intake of magnesium should around 300 mg for women and 400 mg for men.
Cocoa, dark chocolate, bananas, dark leafy greens, avocados, sesame seed, dried fruit, nuts and dates are all rich sources.
Magnesium deficiency can contribute to hypertension and diabetes as well as affecting cardiovascular health.
Geroprotectors: Honokiol – LEAF – 21-Feb-2017
Honokiol is a lignan isolated from the bark, seed cones, and leaves of the trees of various Magnolia species.
Well documented antioxidant.
Inhibits inflammatory signals via the activation of the NF-kb protein complex.
Potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
Further studies may be needed to ascertain its long term effects.
Geroprotectors: Glucosamine – LEAF – 19-Feb-2017
One of the most commonly used supplements frequently taken to promote joint health.
Glucosamine naturally occurs in cartilaginous joint tissues and is involved in protein and lipid synthesis.
Plenty of food sources but cooking denatures it so hard to get sufficient from diet alone.
Inhibits the NF-kB protein complex, a central mediator of inflammation and central to the aging process, especially when combined with chondroitin.
Studies have also shown a reduction of cancer mortality risk.
It may be worth considering as part of your health regimen.
Geroprotectors: Quercetin – LEAF – 31-Jan-2017
In various studies quercetin has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties.
Quercetin is naturally found in some fruit and vegetables such as apples, onions and dark cherries.
But to get a typical dose (around 500mg) used for health purposes would mean eating at least fifty apples a day!
Quercetin is a naturally occurring member of the flavonoid family – a large family of water-soluble chemicals, which are not created by the body
Isoquercetin has the same benefits as regular quercetin has but has better bioavailability and absorption by the body.
Geroprotectors: Pterostilbene – LEAF – 28-Jan-2017
Pterostilbene has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties.
Estimated content per blueberry varying between 99 ng to 520 ng – obtaining enough from dietary means isn’t really a realistic proposition.
Available as a dietary supplement from various suppliers.
Pterostilbene has increased bioavailability compared to resveratrol and other stilbene.
Increases sirtuins which are best known for their pro-longevity effects in dietary restriction experiments.
Ray Kurzweil talks about Physical Immortality – Aging Reversed – 3-Jan-2017
Ray talks about the singularity, AI and human hybrid thinking with neocortex connected to the cloud.
Taking 90 supplement pills a day including metformin.
Phosphatidyylcholine lipid makes up 90% of cell membranes at aged 10 – but this reduces with age meaning organs work less well.
Pills won’t make him live forever – but long enough for medical technology to find other ways to enable radical life extension.
We have 1000s time more renewable energy available to help with overpopulation problems.
Elysium Basis May Not Be What You Think It Is – Thrivous – 21-oct-2016
Has two active ingredients, Nicotinamide Riboside and Pterostilbene, aimed at cellular detoxification, DNA repair, and energy production.
Elysium is not the only company that sells NR to consumers.
Has formidable science advisory board and 30 peer-reviewed clinical studies.
None are studies of Nicotinamide Riboside or Pterostilbene supplementation on humans.
$50 per month for Elysium Basis probably is not the best investment of your supplement budget.
These six plant extracts could delay aging – Kurzweil AI – 16-Sept-2016
Each targets a different anti-aging or pro-aging signaling pathway.
Health Canada classifies them as safe for human consumption
Most effective is Salix alba, more commonly known as white willow bark.
Study used budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as its cellular aging model.
Plant extracts tested were:
Cimicifuga racemosa
Valeriana officinalis L.
Passiflora incarnata L.
Ginkgo biloba
Apium graveolens L.
Salix alba
Vitamin myths debunked: what should you be taking? – The Guardian – 14-Jun-2016
Sales of vitamins are higher than those of painkillers.
If you’re well with no symptoms and a reasonable diet, it’s very unlikely that you’ve got a significant vitamin deficiency.
The question is whether taking them will do you any harm.
Many of us will have lowish vitamin D levels after a long winter.
COMMENT: consider taking vitamin D supplements in the UK while the weather is so cloudy
Scientists Identify Plant Extracts That May Slow Down Ageing Process – Health Newsline – 17-Mar-2016
Found six new groups of molecules that decelerate the chronological ageing of yeast
Includes extract of Willow bark – nature’s aspirin – which increased lifespan of yeast by 400%.
Research by Concordia University and Idunn Technologies.
COMMENT: don’t expect such spectacular results in humans!
Aged garlic extract can reduce plaque buildup in arteries – Medical Xpress – 21-Jan-2016
LA BioMed research saw reduction in soft plaque in arteries.
Randomized study involved 55 patients with metabolic syndrome, i.e. at risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes or stroke.
Total coronary plaque volume measured at atart and after 1 year.
Results showed reduced soft and low-attenuation plaque as well as slowed total plaque accumulation.
Study scheduled for publication in the Journal of Nutrition
Omega-3 supplements not as good as the real thing – Kurzweil AI – 26-Aug-2015
Some research suggests that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids can protect brain health but a large clinical trial has found that omega-3 supplements do not slow cognitive decline in older people.
Effects of a Standardized Bacopa monnieri Extract on Cognitive Performance, Anxiety, and Depression in the Elderly – Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine – July-2008
Enhanced AVLT delayed word recall, improved depression scores and decreased heart rate compared to placebo.