supplements and a brain

Alzheimer’s Trial with 4 Common Supplements: Potential Benefits

A recent phase II clinical trial showed significant improvements in cognitive scale scores for Alzheimer’s patients. Importantly, these are natural supplements that are readily available. Plus, it is rare to see a clinical trial with positive results in Alzheimer’s after just 3 months! I’m going to break down what was used in the clinical trial …

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Methylene Blue: Mitochondrial function, cognitive benefits?

Methylene blue (Methylthioninium chloride) has been used in pharmacology for over a century. It is a fascinating compound that was first synthesized as a blue dye. In 1891, it was discovered that it could treat malaria. It is also used as a stain for microscope slides.[ref] Currently, methylene blue is an FDA-grandfathered drug. It is …

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Genetics and Healthspan: Teasing out what is important

Genetic studies, especially large genome-wide association studies, can be informative when looking at what is really important for healthspan. Essentially, these types of studies look to see which genetic variants are linked to outcomes — real-life people, real outcomes, and large data sets. A new study recently published in Nature Medicine estimated the effects of …

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Spermidine and Healthspan

Spermidine is a biogenic amine with many potential anti-aging benefits, ranging from extending healthspan to improving vaccine efficacy in older adults. I’ll dig into the research on the topic, explore the clinical trials, and explain why increasing spermidine can sometimes be a bad idea. For this supplement, it is essential to go beyond the headlines …

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Senolytics for COVID and other respiratory illnesses?

New research on COVID-19 shows the important role of cellular senescence in the high mortality rates in the elderly. Elderly people are much more vulnerable to the flu, respiratory infections, and sepsis than middle-aged or younger adults. We all know that when grandma gets the flu in the nursing home, it is a serious matter. …

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Preventing muscle loss in aging

Kind of like pornography, we all know aging when we see it. There is a specific point when suddenly someone looks old. Like they have crossed some invisible threshold, moving from healthy and older into the twilight area at the end of life. I’m not talking about gray hair or laugh lines that became more …

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alpha-ketoglutarate for longevity and healthspan

Alpha-ketoglutarate for longevity

Alpha-ketoglutarate is a key molecule produced in your cells. Recently, research studies have shown that it may play a key role in healthy aging, including increasing healthspan and lifespan. What is alpha-ketoglutarate? Alpha-ketoglutarate (αKG) is a molecule that cells produce. It has several important functions in the body:[ref] It is involved in the Krebs cycle …

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Glycine for improving slow-wave (deep) sleep

A recent study on sleep and dementia points out (once again) that sleep is essential for good health in aging. The study found that decreased sleep, such as 6 hours or less per night, during your 50s and 60s increases the risk of dementia in your later decades by 30%. Quality sleep is foundational for …

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TNF-alpha and Inflammaging

TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor alpha) is a proinflammatory cytokine upregulated in aging. TNF-alpha acts as a signaling molecule in our immune system and is important in our innate immune response. But chronically elevated TNF-alpha is one cause of the diseases of aging. Inhibiting chronic inflammation is one tool available for longevity and healthspan. This article …

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Targeting cellular senescence with natural compounds

Cellular senescence is a natural process that stops the reproduction of cells. While senescence happens throughout life, in aging, an accumulation of excess senescent cells seems to be at the heart of many age-related diseases. What is cellular senescence? Senescence is when a cell can no longer divide and has been damaged — but yet …

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Luteolin: neuroprotective and anticancer flavonoid

Luteolin is a flavonoid found in herbs and vegetables. Research shows that it has numerous anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Additionally, some research shows that luteolin may help to stop the proliferation of certain cancer cells. The goal here is to simply present a balanced view of the studies and clinical trials on luteolin as a …

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Metformin: Longevity research and genetics

A decades-old diabetes drug now holds promise for increasing healthspan. Research shows that metformin may reduce the risk of some of the diseases of aging, thus increasing the number of years someone is healthy. What is metformin? Metformin, also known as Glucophage, is the most commonly prescribed medication for reducing blood glucose levels. Metformin prescriptions …

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GHK Peptide: neurogenesis, skin, and more

GHK-Cu is a tiny little peptide that can be absorbed transdermally. It is often advertised as a way to reduce skin aging. While there are some good studies on it as a ‘beauty’ product, that is just the tip of the GHK-Cu iceberg. Let’s dive into the science of what this little peptide can do …

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