Articles

Forever Young

By Paul Hueseman, Pharm. D..

"The Fountain of Youth", "Forever Young", "Aging Gracefully", "Anti-Aging" --these are all terms that sound so appealing the older we get. Many smirk at the idea that we can effectively stop the aging process, but is really such an ridiculous idea? What is aging really? If we think about what aging is--maybe this thought is not so outlandish.

Aging has traditionally been considered the process of ultimate complications that include heart disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia, and loss of physical and cognitive abilities. Certainly, we know many of these things can be prevented, or at least that we can reduce our risk of these conditions. So, then if that is the case--are we not achieving "anti-aging"?

Ultimately, anti-aging medicine focuses on slowing or preventing the process of aging--not just treating it’s complications. In other words, not waiting until you have high cholesterol and starting you on Lipitor® or Crestor®--but preventing that high cholesterol from occurring in the first place. Or, not waiting until you have diabetes, and then treating your diabetes, but preventing diabetes from occurring in the first place. This is not to say that anti-aging medicine never uses traditional or conventional therapies, it certainly does! It just integrates conventional therapies with other holistic and natural approaches.

At a cellular level in the body, accumulation of free radicals due to spontaneous errors in biochemical reactions that occur in the body causes damage to cells and tissues in the body via impairment to DNA and RNA. These biochemical reactions involve "oxidation". The damage that free radicals elicit on mitochondrial DNA causes cellular death, eventually leading up to organ failure and death. Mitochondria are the most essential components of a cell, providing the energy for cells.

Many supplements that slow the process of aging have antioxidant activity, or facilitate in the transportation of essential chemicals in the body. Some of the supplements that are associated with anti-aging properties include: coenzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, green tea catechins, N-acetylcysteine, selenium, and resveratrol.

Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10 or ubiquinone, is widely used now, even in conventional medicine because of studies showing benefits in congestive heart failure and certain neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. CoQ10 is essential in the functioning of mitochondria where it facilitates and regulates the oxidation of fats and sugars into energy.

Alpha-lipoic acid, also known as ALA or thioctic acid, is effective in converting other antioxidants such as vitamin E and C back into their original form after they detoxify free radicals, essentially recycling these vitamins. In addition, ALA can reduce the glycation damage that is due to consistently elevated levels of glucose in the blood. It is this glycation that is ultimately responsible for end-organ damage in diabetes.

Acetyl-L-carnitine helps to transport certain essential long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria so that they can be metabolized into energy, while helping transport other small and medium-chain fatty acids out of the mitochondria. The acetyl component of acetyl-L-carnitine is necessary for the formation of acetylcholine, an essential chemical messenger in the brain. Acetyl-L-carnitine functions as an antioxidant, and is often supplemented alongside Lipoic acid,
to reverse some of the damage to mitochondria associated with aging.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a well known antioxidant and is commonly known for its healing properties.

Vitamin E, a collective term for the family of tocopherols and tocotrienols. Of the eight naturally occuring forms of vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol is probably the most common member of the vitamin E family. Vitamin E has been studied for benefits in heart disease, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Some forms of vitamin E, such as gamma-tocopherol may be more beneficial in terms of neutralzing free radicals and exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects.

Beta-carotene, a member of the carotenoid family, has antioxidant properties by mechanisms unknown. Beta-carotene works by both scavenging free radicals, as well as by preventing oxidation of lipids (peroxidation).

Green tea contains several polyphenols, including the most active epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG has been shown to be a more potent antioxidant than vitamin C and reduced glutathione. These catechins found in green tea have several antioxidant activities that include engulfing different types of free radicals, blocking lipid peroxidation, interfering with oxidation of DNA, and inhibiting oxidation of bad cholesterol. In addition, some data has shown green tea may decrease lung damage caused by cigarette smoking. Furthermore, green tea extracts seem to increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation, which may help with weight loss.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is known for detoxifying heavy metals including mercury, cadmium, and lead. It has several antioxidant properties, which include enhancing glutathione formation, a very potent antioxidant.

Selenium is a trace element involved in the protecting the body from the toxicities induced by free radicals induced by oxidation. It also is involved in the regulation of thyroid hormone metabolism. Selenium is also essential for promoting a healthy immune function and may have some anti-inflammatory benefits. There are also anecdotal reports that selenium may inhibit the graying of hair.

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring phytoalexin produced by some plants, including grape vines, as a defense against injury or fungal infection. Moderate consumption of red wine is associated with lower incidence of events such as blood clots that cause a stroke or heart attack. It is likely that resveratrol and other polyphenols found in the wine from grapes is at least partially responsible for these observed effects. A number of beneficial health effects, such as anti-cancer, antiviral, neuroprotective, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and life-prolonging effects have been reported, although some of these studies used animal subjects. Scientists discovered that resveratrol increases the activity of a protein called SIRT1 which regulates such processes as glucose and insulin production, fat metabolism, and cell survival. So it is not surprising that a new class of prescription medication--sirtuin activators--may soon earn FDA approval.

This list is certainly not comprehensive of all supplements used in anti-aging; for instance, Trans-D-Tropin and growth hormone were not discussed, which are often proclaimed to be the "fountain of youth". For more information on these types of therapies, see our website at: http://www.bellevuerx.com/pharmacy/weight/11240413.asp

Of course, in addition to all of these supplements, one must also consider other essential pieces of "anti-aging"--eating healthy, exercise, coping skills, and hormonal balance. At Bellevue Pharmacy, our consultant pharmacists can work with you to help you achieve hormonal balance and discuss various supplements that can be adjunctive to your health. We also have launched a new program, "Take Shape for Life" to help patients with their weight management goals. Visit the website for more information on this exciting new program.

Reference:
Hunter T. "Forever Young: Is it possible?" Drug Topics. Feb 5 2007.