A.....Live a Long and Happy LifeNTI-AGING SERIES – PART 5
Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
Although this is the last part of our anti-aging series, I consider it the most important one. Through anti-aging medicine, we strive to keep our physical functioning optimal. However unless we preserve our brain function, we have not gained real value by living longer.
In the last ten decades, human life span has increased by nearly 100%. In the pre-antibiotic era of the 1900's, humans only lived about 50 years. Before that, in the 1800's they only lived about 30 years! No one lived long enough to become senile.
Senility, or age-related loss of brain power, is the biggest challenge in anti-aging medicine. We have so many modern miracles to keep the body alive, but what can we do to keep the mind functioning optimally in spite of age?
Anti Aging Brain Preservaion The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
First, lets take a look at what happens to the normal brain with progressive aging.
Our society's biggest problem is coronary arteriosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries." Our affluent western diet that is rich in cholesterol and our couch potato lifestyles cause our bodies to accumulate fatty streaks in the arteries, which gradually (and sometimes quite rapidly) increase to cholesterol plaques.
The body views this abnormal accumulation of fats as "foreign" and walls it off (like it does any other foreign particle) with the "calcification process," causing the accumulation of fat and calcium in the arteries.
There are other causes of brain degeneration such as multiple sclerosis, ALS, serious or repeated head trauma (as in boxing), and bacterial infections like meningitis. But, the main disease that results in age-related mental decline is arteriosclerosis of the brain.
The human central nervous system is basically a complex collection of both insulated and non-insulated wires suspended in a matrix of cells and fluids. It is an electrical organ, with information stored just like in the hard disc of a computer, activated by electrical signals when needed. Once cerebral arteriosclerosis sets in, the hard disc space is made smaller and smaller and the processor slows down.
Anti Aging Brain Preservaion The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
So, what can we do to brain degenerations?
Actually, there many things you can do!
First, know your family history and your lipid profile. Does your family history indicate that you are susceptible to premature cerebral aging or presenile dementia (Alzheimer's disease)? If so, you will have to work twice as hard to ward it off.
Alzheimer's is a complex process, not completely understood. It is not just pure or premature arteriosclerotic dementia (brain aging due to circulatory obstruction, although this plays some role, I'm sure), there is something else involved as well.
Possibly early susceptibility to cerebral toxins in our environment, possibly the abnormal accumulation of toxins in the brain (aluminum and "neurofibrillary tangles, or disorganized groups of neurons damaged beyond repair with aluminum depositions in them), we just don't know. Alzheimer's is generally a disease with onset in the 60's.
Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
Here's what you can do to preserve brain function:
1. Maintain a perfect lipid profile (cholesterol levels) throughout your life. The "statin " type drugs are probably our best defense against cerebral arteriosclerosis (dementia from slow starvation of brain cells). The "statin drugs" are Zocor(r), Lescol(r), Pravachol(r), Baycol(r), Lipitor(r).
These drugs are very effective for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. They can carry away cholesterol plaques from the circulation of the central nervous system. These drugs, in my opinion, should be taken by even "normal" patients to further improve their chances of warding off dementia. I keep my cholesterol at 150, my HDL at 50 and my LDL at 70 through the use of Zocor(r).
2. Exercise is extremely important in warding off dementia through periodic increase in circulation and " cleansing the pipes." You will always feel a sense of heightened awareness for a few days after vigorous exercise.
3. You can't change your heredity toward Alzheimer's disease or presenile dementia, but you can strive to preserve neurons through a complex group of medications, which have been shown to result in prevention, stabilization and improvement in dementia.
Anti Aging Brain Preservaion The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
Medications that Help Preserve Brain Function:
Hormonal Agents: 1. DHEA: a powerful antioxidant hormone, improves the lipid profile, protects against arteriosclerosis, a potent immune stimulant, antioxidant and mood elevator. Used very favorably in the treatment of depression, heart disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, excess body fat, type II diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Immune dysfunction and cerebral ischemic (circulatory) injury. 25 to 50 mg recommended daily.
2. Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
Pregnenalone: The precursor adrenal steroid of all steroids. Blocks the negative oxidative, aging effects of cortisol, stimulates cerebral receptors involved in learning and memory. 10 mg recommended daily.
3.Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
Melatonin: a natural hormone secreted by the human pineal gland. Regulates the sleep wake cycle, is a powerful antioxidant. Diminishes with age. Improves phase 3 and 4 sleep and increases growth hormone release at night. 3 mg recommended nightly.
4.Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
Growth Hormone: a complex three-dimensional molecule composed of 191 amino acids (like insulin) must be injected under the skin for effect. Increases life span, muscle mass, decreases body fat, improves sleep, improves immune system, and is the mother hormone working in synergy with thyroid, estrogen, and testosterone. Improves cerebral function by optimizing overall bodily functions. 1-2 units subcutaneously injected daily.
5.Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
Estrogen: Improves memory, decreases senile dementia and improves cognitive function in menopausal women. Transdermal therapy recommended. I simply will not use oral estrogens.
6. Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
Testosterone: Improves mood, memory, positively effects lipid profile, increases muscle strength and mass. Enhances age related decline in memory, attitude and aggressiveness (decisiveness) in andropausal males.
Anti Aging Brain Preservaion The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
Medical Agents:
Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
1. Deprenyl: (also known as Selegeline): Widely used to treat Parkinson's disease, prevents memory loss, improves mental alertness, and acts as an antidepressant. I have personally seen deprenyl markedly improve the quality of life of patients with early senile dementia.
Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
2. Piracetam: A derivative of the amino acid GABA, used to prevent memory loss, treat senile dementia by restoring the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This is the world's most popular nootropic (cerebral stimulating) drug.
Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
3 . Pramiracetam: A cogener of piracetam, but more potent.
Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
4 Vinpocitine: Improves cerebral blood flow, enhances oxygen and glucose metabolism, stimulates cerebral activity and is used to prevent strokes.
Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
5
. Lucidril: A powerful anti-aging drug shown to raise life expectancy over 50% in mice. It is a powerful scavenger of the central nervous system.
Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
6. Hydergine: The most powerful central nervous system free radical scavenger. Prevents cerebral oxidation (damage from free radicals), also stimulates growth of dendrites, and markedly reduces cerebral damage during circulatory insults (strokes)
Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
8. Adrafinil/ Modafinil: Improves alertness, mental clarity, short-term memory, increased reaction speed and hand eyecoordination, increases learning of new tasks.
Anti Aging Brain Preservaion The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
Amino Acids:
Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging goal 1. L-Tryptophan: an essential amino acid precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin. Works to combat depression through naturally raising serotonin levels in the brain (like Prozac, Effexor, Zoloft, and many of the commonly used antidepressants).
Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
2. Phenylalanine: a precursor to the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By raising cerebral norepinephrine levels, one can combat depression, improve memory and alertness.
Anti Aging Brain Preservaion The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
Nutraceutical Agents:
Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
1. Microhydrin: the most powerful antioxidant and chelator of aluminum on the planet. This substance is silica hydride (like that found in the Hunza water flowing from the Himalayan mountains), this substance is the most powerful free radical scavenger on the planet. Found to remove aluminum from the body, implicated in Alzheimer's disease.
Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
2. Crystal Energy: (liquid microhydrin for drinking water). Turn your water supply into a free radical scavenger.
Anti Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
Phosphatidyl Serine: The most widely studied substance used to raise acetylcholine neurotransmitter levels. Marked improvement in short term memory and mental acuity in senile dementia patients. A nutritional choline-like substance absorbed through the blood brain barrier.
This does seem like a complex list of substances to prevent cerebral degeneration. Selection of the correct combination for you can be achieved through a consultation with a Board Certified Anti-Aging physician. I have personally taken all of these medications and find very few side effects with any of them.
We hope you have learned the basics of Anti-Aging Medicine in this five-part series. You might want to print out all the articles and use them as the basis for your anti-aging program. Use the
Non-prescription products mentioned in this article that are available at GreatSkin.com include Microhydrin and Crystal Energy and Phosphatidyl Serine
Never Surrender to your Age - GreatSkin.com
Part 1 Anti Aging Skin Care Solutions Nutrition And Nutraceuticals
Part 2: Anti Aging How Much Exercise Do You Need?
Part 3:Water – Great Anti Aging Tool
Sleep – Great Anti Aging Tool
Part 4: Hormone Replacement Therapy
Part 5: Ant Aging Brain Preservation The Ultimate Anti Aging Goal
