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Deciding on what, and if, supplements
to take can be a very hard task considering the large controversy
between the business side of selling supplements and scientifically
backed health benefits. Much research has proved that regular
supplementation can prevent and increase resistance to a
variety of diseases associated with old age and early mortality.
There are, however, criteria which are used to assess the
claims that a certain supplement is advantageous. These
include a background of publications in scientific literature
with results from controlled experiments; data from these
experiments should be confirmed by independent investigators;
a good understanding of the actions of the material in the
body; if the supplement is a pure substance, assumption
derived from food data are unreliable.
There is a fundamental difference
between preventing disease and retarding aging. Vulnerability
to any threats to your health doubles each 8 years. By disease
prevention people will avoid certain conditions which would
kill them early, but they would not actually break the maximum
lifespan barrier, which calorie restriction does. Anti-aging
is when the vulnerability doubles each 14 years instead
of 8. Modern medical practitioners tend to over-recommend
the use of certain drugs and supplements which have not
stood the test of time and believe in theories rather than
facts.
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The “official” viewpoint
on supplementation is expressed in the determination of the
Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs). In deciding on their
values, there are six major criteria which are included: amount
people consume normally of the nutrient; amount needed to
avoid a particular disease; the adequacy of the physiological
function in relation to the nutrient intake; amount of nutrient
absorbed; studies determining the nutrient deficiency characteristics;
and results from animal experiments. However, certain scientists
have suggested a seventh, more reliable criterion to be used.
It involves several different groups of animals from the same
species being fed with different amounts of the nutrient and
the RDA is set at the level fed to the group of animals which
had the longest lifespan. There
are several classes of supplements: antioxidants, phytochemicals,
hormones and fatty acids. Antioxidants are by far the most
potent anti-aging agents. The theory of free radicals and
free radical scavengers (substances which break the chain
of free radicals and disperse it) was developed as the most
plausible theory of aging. Yet so far it has not been clearly
proven that supplementation with antioxidants alone retards
aging, so this theory can still be questioned. It is certain
that taking antioxidants result in longer life and lower
incidence of disease, but results have not shown the life
expectancy barrier to rise. What is known is that antioxidants
decrease disease susceptibility and must certainly be part
of a healthy anti-aging diet.
There is little doubt that supplements
have various health benefits, but before deciding on the
right combination of them, it is strongly recommended to
undertake some research as to what has proved itself advantageous
and what is only speculated upon. The calorie restriction
method of anti-aging is certain to break the maximum lifespan
barrier, but it has not become very popular for a number
of reasons. This is why a lot of work has been put throughout
history into finding the right anti-aging supplement, a
so called “elixir of life”.
Most evidence about supplements’
benefits is epidemiological and comes from a certain repeatedly
observed situation. For example, it has been observed that
a diet with a high intake of fruit results in less incidence
of cardiovascular disease. Once there is an observation,
scientists start by guessing which substance in fruits is
responsible for this effect, isolating it and conducting
numerous tests on it. First any substance is tested on animals
and if the results are encouraging, a prospective human
study may be conducted. However, it has become recognized
that protective effects of fruit and vegetables occur at
an intake in the range of two or threefold of the RDA amount.
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The three antioxidants which are
best known for their activity are Vitamins E and C and lipoic
acid. Vitamin E is the most significant fat-soluble, chain-breaking
antioxidant in human blood. Larger than RDA doses of vitamin
E increase immune response and resistance to infection.
It also exerts cancer-inhibiting effects and protects from
toxic chemical agents (mercury, lead, ozone). A human diet
should be supplemented with around 300 IU of vitamin E.
Vitamin C, the primary water-soluble antioxidant obtained
from food, is essential for many body functions, such as
brain metabolism, carnitine synthesis and manufacturing
connective tissue. Vitamin C is an effective scavenger of
free radicals and protects against LDL cholesterol, but
in some cases it might act as a pro-oxidant, a function
which is counteracted by Vitamin E. It is very important
that these vitamins should be supplemented together. Vitamin
C has proven beneficial in the prevention of cardiovascular
disease and immune enhancement. Around 500 mg of the ester
form of the substance should be taken between meals. The
third important antioxidant is alpha-lipoic acid, which
is both water and fat soluble. It plays a role in glucose
metabolism, lowers oxidative stress and has shown to reverse
age-related decline in mitochondrial functions. More studies
are needed to determine lipoic acid’s health benefits
and role in life extension, but for now it is best to take
120 mg daily.
Phytochemicals are plant-derived
chemicals, divided into six groups; their most potent activity
is prevention of cancer. Flavonoids are poorly soluble compounds
which comprise the yellow and red/blue pigments in fruits
and vegetables. They have shown antioxidant properties connected
to those of vitamin C, as well as anticancer activity. PhytoEstrogens
are plant substances of different kinds (isoflavones, lignans)
that have an estrogenic effect in the body, which are present
largely in soy products and flax seed. There is evidence
that they possess inhibitory properties to prostate, breast
and colon cancer, as well as osteoporosis. Isothiocyanates
are present in cruciferous vegetables and inhibit experimental
cancer development by detoxifying the carcinogen and eliminating
it; their benefits are mainly recognized in gastrointestinal
and respiratory tract tumors. Diallylsulfides, present in
garlic, onion, leeks and chives, have shown to reduce proliferation
of cancer cells, particularly cancer of the stomach and
colon. Carotenes, responsible for the green and yellow-red
colors of flowers and vegetables, are hydrophobic substances
whose antioxidant functions are in quenching the free radical
known as singlet oxygen. Beta-carotene, alpha-carotene and
lycopene are the strongest antioxidants, which are also
active in the prevention of certain types of cancer and
macular degeneration of the eye.
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Selenium is an element, component of
one of the body’s natural antioxidant enzymes, glutathione,
as well as a metabolic antagonist to mercury, lead, calcium
and arsenic. Selenium acts to encourage the apoptosis of cancer
cells and thus high selenium intake is associated with lower
cancer susceptibility. 200 mcg. daily should be supplemented
to achieve a cancer inhibitory effect. The B-vitamins, in
particular B5. B6, B12 and Folic acid, are associated with
lowering the levels of homocysteine, a risk factor for heart
disease. Vitamin B5 is central to the energy-yielding oxidation
of glucose products and it also enhances the ability to withstand
stress.Coenzyme Q-10, which acts
like a vitamin, plays a critical role in the respiratory chain
providing energy, as well as possessing antioxidant properties.
Much controversial research has been conducted on this substance,
with different results, but it is suggested that CoQ10 is
beneficial in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative
disorders. Carnitine is a transport chemical required for
the passage of fatty acids across cell membranes. Meat and
diary products are major sources of carnitine which, when
supplemented, improves stress tolerance, causes improvement
in cognitive functions and has anti-fatigue effects.
You
can order these drugs for instance from:
www.anti-aging-drugs.com,
www.LifespanMeds.com,
www.Anti-Aging-Meds.com,
These online traders are quite reliable and have good
reputation. The quality of their products is excellent
and prices are not high.
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