Anti-Aging, Any Real Evidence?
Here are some interesting facts to keep you up-to-date on some
anti-aging agents:
DHEA: (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is a steroid secreted by the adrenal cortex. This hormone is
the precursor for testosterone, progesterone and estrogen. This hormone is found to decline with age so replacing
this hormone could be expected to slow age-related changes. DHEA has also been shown to be directly related to
mortality with an inverse relationship existing between the levels of DHEA and mortality from heart disease as well
as other causes1. Calorie deprivation (known to prolong aging, see below) is also known to inhibit the decline of
DHEA. Another important hormone with anti-aging properties include HGH (human growth hormone). Effective HGH
hormone sprays are available.
Antioxidants: The theory is that in aging unrepaired oxidative damage accumulate putting the organism under
increased stress. DNA damage is also reported to be associated with oxidative stress. Antioxidants protect against
cellular damage by mopping up the reactive oxygen species that cause damage. A recent study2 of elderly subjects
found that DNA damage occurred in 45 % of subjects, with 62% having low total antioxidant levels. Antioxidants
include vitamins C, A, E, and the mineral selenium. Although these agents are effective antioxidants, their
beneficial
effects in slowing aging still remains largely unproven. There is considered stronger evidence for the roles of
these antioxidants in degenerative disease such as atherosclerosis. The area of antioxidants in aging is still an
active area of research interest.
Tip: not many people know, but there is an effective and convenient test
for checking your Antioxidant status to see if you are adequately protected against the damaging effects of free
radicals. The test involves measurement of lipid peroxides in urine. Lipid peroxides represent damage caused to
fats by free radicals and provide a useful barometer of your antioxidant status.
Peptides: Carnosine: (a peptide) is an antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Carnosine has been found to extend
the life of human skin cells grown in culture. Long lived cells
contain high levels of carnosine. The anti-aging properties has been more recently linked, not so much with its
antioxidant properties, but with its ability to protect against undesirable protein glycation and cross linking to
normal macromolecules3.
Herbs: Garlic: a study4 in 1994 found garlic enhanced the long term growth ability of human skin cells to survive
in culture. The researchers also found that garlic inhibited the growth of cancer cells in culture, providing the
first apparent evidence of both anti-aging and anti-cancer effects of garlic.
Calorie Restriction: this has long been known to result in the slowing or retardation of the aging process. It has
been confirmed in a number of studies with animals, which have been shown to live longer when their dietary intakes
were restricted. Calorie restriction without malnutrition is the only known manipulation which has been
convincingly demonstrated to retard aging in mammals.
About the Author
Dr. Keith Chung, PhD
Founder, BalanceYourNutrition.com
Author of several scientific articles in leading science journals.
Editor of BalanceYourNutrition Newsletter.
Anti-Aging
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