Vitality At The Fountain of Youth

"The Life Extension Foundation is the world's largest organization dedicated to scientific methods to slow and reverse aging." The average American today can expect to live to be about 75 years of age. It is possible to live well beyond that. The length of our days upon the earth could be 120 years. Let's look at this scripture: "Then the Lord said, My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty [120] years." Gen 6:3 NIV ______________________________________________________

This ANTI-AGING Information is your guide to drugs and nutrients which have been proposed as therapies to slow and/or reverse human aging.

The only method proven to slow aging and extend lifespan in mammals is caloric restriction of a nutrient-rich diet, which has been demonstrated to work in rats,mice, and is now being studied in monkeys. While some people practice caloric restriction as a means of extending lifespan, its primary value is as a model to explore how aging can be controlled. Although none of the therapies in this section have been proven to retard aging, there is suggestive scientific evidence that they may have this ability.

DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)is an adrenal hormone that is the precursor for steroid hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. DHEA declines precipitously with advancing age in both men and women. There have been many studies showing that oral DHEA can improve neurological function, immune function, stress disorders, and that it can be protective against some types of cancer and cardiovascular disease. In one clinical study at the University of California at San Diego, 50 mg/day of DHEA taken daily over a six month period increased lean body mass and muscle strength and the perceived physical and psychological well-being of both men and women. One lifespan study with DHEA has been conducted in mice at a major university. Verbal reports indicate that DHEA was not successful in extending lifespan, but the results of that study have not yet been reported.

MELATONIN
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, which is located beneath the brain. Melatonin is a highly potent antioxidant, which has been described as the pacemaker of the aging clock in humans. It is released every night as part of our time-dependent biorhythms to help induce sleep and recuperation from fatigue.

Melatonin has been shown to have anti-cancer effects. In animal studies in Italy, melatonin and transplants of pineal gland tissue from young animals extended the lifespan of old animals, however the mice used in these studies had suboptimal lifespans.

COENZYME Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a cardioprotective, energy stimulating compound that has been shown to be effective as a means of preventing and treating certain forms of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

In a study by Bliznakov, the lifespan of mice was increased by 50% by injections of CoQ10. In another study at UCLA Medical Center, the mean but not maximum lifespan of mice was increased by very high oral doses of CoQ10. In both studies, mice receiving CoQ10 looked especially good and healthy at advanced ages.

VITAMIN E
Vitamin E is the major fat-soluble compound that protects our cell membranes against oxidative damage. It can break the self-perpetuating chain of oxidative reactions in unsaturated fatty acids in membranes. Vitamin E also helps maintain the antioxidant activity of Selenium, and works with this trace mineral to help boost immune function.

There have been highly persuasive studies in humans showing that regular Vitamin E intake can reduce the risk of heart attacks in both men and women, and that it can protect us from several types of cancer. In one study, the combination of Vitamin E and Vitamin C reduced death from all causes.

This page was made June 5, 1999

This page was updated February 15, 2001

Vitality At The Fountain of Youth

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