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Growing Old - Not so Fast…
Ever since the beginning of time, humans have flirted with the notion of living forever - or, at least, for a long, long time. The legendary ‘Fountain of Youth’ comes to mind when I hear about anti-aging breakthroughs… “Super vitamins and super supplements that defy time.” So what is anti-aging research all about? Does their fountain hold water? I decided to investigate anti-aging, I inundated myself with the published anti-aging research reports and data, and I plowed through the claims and the bold promises.
Like almost everyone, I have considered growing old as a foregone conclusion. My hair would turn grey (if I had hair), I’d gain weight, my skin would wrinkle, I’d suffer from partial hearing loss, my keen eyesight would disappear (pardon the pun), I won’t remember where I put my car keys, or where I parked my car - for that matter, and I would no longer be able to run a quarter mile - even if it was to save my life… Just think I used run quarter miles for fun.
I’m getting old - but do I have to? Why did I hit my physical peak in my late 20’s? Why can’t I stay strong and healthy for another 40, or more, years? These are the questions I pondered as I dove into this anti-aging investigation.
We’ve all heard that genetics and lifestyle come into play with respect to longevity and quality of life. But there is one other aspect to growing old that can be easily managed. The health of our cells.
Mitochondrial Energy - When we are young and healthy, our bodies quite efficiently build healthy cells, our bodies effectively metabolize nutrients that give our cells energy. Our bodies have amazing immune systems. Anti-bodies inside us defend us from infections and illness. But as we get old, our ability to develop, feed and nurture healthy cells diminishes - let’s look at the details…
About 95% of cellular energy is produced from mitochondria. Mitochondria are tiny organ-elles inside our cells that produce cellular energy. Mitochondria are our cells’ “energy power-houses”. The number of mitochondria in a cell varies widely by organism and by tissue type. The quantity of mitochondria found in our cells ranges from a few dozen to several thousand - in each cell.
In order for the mitochondria to create the energy needed to sustain cellular function, fatty acids (which serve as the mitochondria’s fuel) must be transported through the cell membrane and into the mitochondria.
As we get older, the mitochondrial function weakens in our cells. Cells require healthy mitochondrial activity to perform life-sustaining metabolic processes. One of the most serious events that impacts our health and vitality as we get older is the depletion of the mitochondrial energy function.
As mitochondrial energy is diminished, the vitality of organs such as the heart and brain, or in some cases, the entire body, is diminished as well.
Free Radicals - There is one other aspect to aging that we need to be aware of: Free radical damage. Mitochondria produce the vast majority of free radicals in our cells and free-radical damage is a culprit behind premature aging. To counteract this, health-conscious people take supplements that contain anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are found in green tea, grape-seed, lycopene, gamma tocopherol, and other plant extracts.
What we’ve learned so far:
- A healthy body with healthy organs has cells that consume fatty acids. Mitochondria in our cells metabolize nutrients and create cellular energy.
- As we get older, the mitochondria function slows down and do not efficiently create cellular energy
- Inefficient cellular energy can lead to the diminished vitality of our heart, brain and other vital organs.
- In addition to cellular energy, mitochondria also creates free radicals that can, in turn, cause damage.
My, perhaps, over-simplified conclusion:
- If our mitochondria can sustain peak performance indefinitely, the health of our brains, our hearts and other vital organs should not diminish with age.
- With the aid of a sufficient amount of antioxidants, damage caused by free radicals will be kept in check.
Mitochondria Energy with SODzymeTM - A key Anti-Aging Solution… Scientists have been studying mitochondria and the aging process for years and years and there have been some major breakthroughs. Life Extension Foundation, a non-profit company that is dedicated to the research and development of world-class health supplements, has created a nutritional supplement that incorporates tremendous advances made in anti-aging sciences. Scientists now know that mitochondrial decay in aging is a major driving force behind the aging process. Life Extension Foundation has created a supplement called Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer with SODzymeTM that is designed to counteract age-related structural and functional changes.
Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer with SODzymeTM provides the following unique ingredients:
- Acetyl-L-carnitine arginate: a patented form of carnitine that stimulates the outgrowth of neurites in the brain. Neurites are young cells that either become axons or dendrites, which function to provide the communication circuitry pathways between neurons (nerve cells).
- Acetyl-L-carnitine: is an effective form of carnitine to transport fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are used to produce cellular energy. Acetyl-L-carnitine helps maintain mitochondrial bio-energy and integrity. More…
- R-lipoic acid: the biologically active half of alpha-lipoic acid that boosts glutathione levels inside cells to protect against mitochondrial-generated free radicals. Destructive free-radical activity in the mitochondria plays a major role in the loss of cellular vitality. Recent clinical trials revealed that alpha-lipoic acid combined with acetyl-L-carnitine reduces oxidative stress and improves mitochondrial function and vasodilator function, and may be effective in attenuating age-associated cognitive decline by slowing the rate of mitochondrial decay and cellular aging. More…
- Carnosine: the most potent nutrient to counteract destructive glycation processes. Glycation is the cross-linking of proteins and sugars to form non-functioning structures in the body. As humans age, they become more vulnerable to glycation reactions that cause irreversible damage to the body’s proteins. More…
- Benfotiamine (and thiamine): fat- and water-soluble forms of vitamin B1 that help prevent glucose from reacting with proteins that can lead to detrimental advanced glycation end products (AGE) and help counteract glucose toxicity effects on the endothelial lining of the blood vessels, retina, and kidneys. Benfotiamine prevents macro- and microvascular endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress following a meal rich in AGE.
- Luteolin: a flavonoid that helps to regulate inflammatory cytokine expression. Aging is characterized by an inflammatory state that adversely affects virtually every cell in the body. The culprits behind these destructive reactions are inflammatory “cytokines.” More…
- Rhodiola: an herb that has been shown to possess adaptogenic and ergogenic properties. Rhodolia works primarily on the mitochondria by activating the synthesis or resynthesis of ATP in mitochondria and stimulated reparative energy processes after intense exercise. More…
- SODzymeTM: a combination of soy, corn, and wheat sprouts designed to stimulate the endogenous antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) inside the cell. SOD is considered one of the most important antioxidants the body makes to guard interior cell components against free-radical damage. More…
Dosage: Take four capsules daily in divided doses early in the day, or all at once upon wakening, or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner. This product can be taken with or without food.
Note: It is important to take four capsules per day of the Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer in order to benefit from carnosine. The reason for this is that the body automatically metabolizes lower amounts of carnosine into an inert substance, but the body cannot neutralize the amount of carnosine (1000 mg) contained in four capsules of Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer.
Supplements: Life Extension Foundation is a non-profit company that is dedicated to the research and development of world-class health supplements. Life Extension voluntarily complies with GMP, the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Process criterion that has been established for pharmaceutical companies.
Caution: Individuals with anxiety, manic or bipolar disorder should not use Rhodiola rosea. Those allergic to soy, corn or wheat should take Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer without SODzymeTM.
Source:
Life Extension Foundation
Tags: Acetyl-l-carnitine, Anti-Aging, Cellular Energy, Mitochondria, R-lipoic acid, SODzymeComments
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