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Weighty M The weight lo Acomplia arri plus The dangers of dentistry How dental work can affect your health & aging The smart-drug properties of Hydergine The work of Albert Hoffman, now 100 years young Gerovital The original anti-aging drug interview We speak with bariatric expert; Denise Bruner, M.D.
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If you are a globe trotter t h e n you probably saw the trend for obesity developing many years ago - any trip to the Far East highlights j u s t how our eating habits in the west have led to widespread obesity, although to be fair things are changing there too. My own experiences tell me it is those who have adopted western eating habits, as most of the overweight Asians I've seen in places like Japan or Thailand etc., appear nearly always to be located inside well-known fast food establishments! It wouldn't be so bad if it were only the case t h a t being fat j u s t meant being rotund, unfortunately being obese also m e a n s a considerable increase in t h e risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, accompanied by accelerated aging with an increased prevalence of premature death. We are also seeing an alarming rise in obesity in children, and as Dr. Bruner points out in her interview in this magazine- children are now being diagnosed with diabetes from very early ages. If this trend continues t h e n the already over stretched health care systems will be forced to take hard decisions. Noises are already being heard in the UK suggesting t h a t if people don't follow the advice of their health care practitioner to lose weight, or stop s m o k i n g / drinking
etc., those patients may not receive the full benefit of health care, or be forced to pay more. It's not only our choices of food t h a t are the problem, it's also necessary to break bad habits and put more effort into one's lifestyle- which naturally also includes regular exercise. We need to build our lives around the need to stay fit and healthy, to the point where we enjoy what exercise we do. If you are like me and find gyms tedious, t h e n why not get a dog and take regular long walks enjoying the countryside? Plus consider the opportunities of adventurous holidays to challenge yourself to get back on a bike or take up sailing, or whatever takes your fancy! There's really no excuse and nobody is too old to change, but we all need help in different ways. Clearly nutrition and even the new emerging drug technologies can kick-start a change to ones life. That's why this issue leads with the new breakthrough drug Acomplia and highlights the risk factors of obesity and the dangerous trends that are developing. We hope t h a t we stimulate your t h i n k i n g to benefit you and your family's health. Phil Micans
Editor-in-chief
Declaration The International Antiaging Magazine focuses on the latest nutritional, hormonal and drug therapies in use now that show promise in combating the signs of aging. These signs include the physical, mental and internal changes consisting of the diseases and disorders that include cancer, arthritis and senile dementia etc. However, the main focus is upon prevention of such aging diseases and disorders for the "healthy-aging" individual.
The International Antiaging Magazine is proud to be regularly contributed, aided and supported by the following leading professionals: Mircea Dumitru, M.D., Ph.D. is the Editor of the International Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics, based in Mexico City. Dr. Dumitru was also the personal assistant to Professor Ana Asian, the famous Bucharest physician who developed Gerovital-H3.
Garry F. Gordon, M.D . DO. M.D. (H) is a world-renowned expert in chelation therapy behind many publications, including The Chelation
Answer.
He is
advisor to the American Board of Chelation Therapy and examiner for all chelation physicians, being responsible for Peer Reviewed Chelation Therapy in Arizona.
Brian Halvorsen. BDS. IDS. RCS, FRSH Is principal of a holistic practice and author of;"The Natural Dentist'
a book relating nutrition to dental health. He is
also the founder of the "British Dental Nutrition Society" and founding member of the British branch of "The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology".
John lonescu, Ph.D. is one of Europe's leading dermatologist researchers. His work into the causes and progression of numerous skin diseases has led him to develop a comprehensive diagnostic system to enable genetic identification of metabolic failures, which can then result in individualized detox and anti-aging therapies.
Karen Kaufman MS. CCN is a graduate of Skidmore College and received a Master of Science Degree in nutrition from the University of New Haven in Connecticut. She has worked at U-Mass Memorial Health Center and Medical School and currently maintains a private practice. She is also a member of the board of trustees of the Lupus Foundation of New England.
Michael Klentze. M.C. specializes in gynecology, endocrinology and psychiatry and focuses on holistic preventative medicine. He is the author of several books and as Director of the Klentze-lnstitutes is engaged in numerous modern biotechnologies including stem cells, genomics and proteomics. He is also the secretary general of the European Society of AntiAging Medicine (ESAAM).
Marios Kyriazis, M.D.. MSc., MIBiol has a postgraduate qualification in Gerontology from the King's College, University of London, and a postgraduate qualification in Geriatric medicine granted by the Royal College of Physicians. He has written extensively on longevity and healthy aging and is a founding member of the British Longevity Society. Phil Micans, PharmB.. MS has degrees in Pharmacology and Food and Vitamin Technology. Since 1986 he has been actively involved in antiaging medicine. Today, Phil is the Editor of the International
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John Morgenthaler has been active in the field of nutritional medicine since 1986. As a founder of Smart Publications, John has co-authored numerous health books, including Smart Drugs, Stop the FDA, Better Sex Chemistry, Mood
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1
contents Obesity and the new weight loss drug Rimonabant
also Gerovital the original antiaging drug
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y
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P 1 2
Gerovital was perhaps the first true antiaging medicine for it was developed back in the sixties by the famous Romanian Professor Ana Asian, yet Gerovital remains popular today. This article looks at some of the reasons why Gerovital has such a broad range of antiaging actions, ranging from better skin and hair to lessening depression and improving joint mobility. Old doesn't mean redundant as Gerovital is living proof of in the noughties!
Hydergine developer Albert Hofmann turns a hundred
T h e first n e w w e i g h t loss d r u g in 10-years c o m e s with a lot of promise, but is it all h y p e ? A c o m p l i a (the b r a n d n a m e of R i m o n a b a n t ) has a lot of p e o p l e excited after t h e c o m p l e t i o n of its clinical trials. I n d e e d it is a novel n e w d r u g a c t i n g to s u b d u e t h e c a n n a b i n o i d r e c e p t o r s in t h e brain leading to appetite s u p p r e s s i o n - as well as p r o d u c i n g favorable c h a n g e s in c a r d i o v a s c u l a r a n d <jjgbetic m a r k e r s . E x p e c t e d to be a blockbuster a n d m o n h o u s e h o l d n a m e , w e offer y o u t h e b a c k g r o u n d its d e v e l o p m e n t a n d e v i d e n c e - b a s e d effects.
P18 Dentistry, mercury, aging and health It remains one of those great bastions of doggedness, for whilst the rest of the world recognises mercury as a poison, somehow when it is placed into an amalgam filling then many dentists refuse to believe it has any negative effects! Luckily, Dr. Brian Halvorsen is not one of those dentists and in the first of his reports he outlines the effects and sources of mercury and its impact upon all manner of health related ^ ^ issues.
Dr. Albert Hofmann is one of the world famous researchers behind the world famous Sandoz pharmaceutical company, (now called Novartis). One of his early developments was the creation of Hyderginean ergot grown from a fungus found on rye. Hydergine has shown itself to have many beneficial antiaging effects which are explained in this article, along with the fact that Dr. Hofmann puts his faith in his own product and enjoyed his hundredth birthday this year.
Interview with Denise Bruner, M.D. Dr. Bruner is a leading physician involved with Bariatric medicine, or weight control. Much in demand in an age where nearly one in two people is overweight, Dr. Bruner describes her methods and her protocols that get her patients back on track to a new improved life. Elaborating on the spectrum of protocols that come together to make a greater whole, this interview will give you insight into how the professionals approach weight loss and obesity.
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Sept 2006 i a m
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Obesity and the new blockbuster
Acompli by Phil Micans, PharmB
6
i a m
Sept 2006
A
ny walk down a street or through a shopping mall will tell you that obesity is now a common problem. In fact, the American Obesity Association estimates that 61% of the entire American population is now overweight, up by 45% from 20-years ago. These trends maybe the most prominent in the United States, but s i m i l a r disturbing
figures can be seen all across the world where western diets a n d I ifestyles
own treatment if they do not enact the advice of their physician, (currently in the UK treatment is provided through a nationalistic model of health insurance).
"6i% of the entire American population is now overweight
It is estimated that worldwide there are now more than a billion individuals who are overweight. In the USA alone, the effects of obesity are estimated to cost $100 million annually and result in the deaths of 300,000 people each year, or 1 person every 9 seconds! To understand how seriously both medicine and government are viewing "bad lifestyle" (such as obesity), just recently in the UK, steps are being reviewed to see if patients can be "forced" to take advice such as being told to; "lose weight, stop smoking and cut down on your alcohol intake." (sic) One such idea being considered is that patients will have to pay for their
BRFSS, 1991. 1996, 2004 (* BMI>30, or about 30ibs overwright for 5'4" person)
1991
Naturally, this is all part of the fact that the health care model as it currently exists will go bust and ways are having to be sought for change to
_______________
are adopted. For example, data from the World Health Organisations MONICA project shows that in some parts of Europe over 70% of men and women aged 55 to 64 are clinically obese. Perhaps most disturbingly 1 in 8 children are now considered to be obese, which represents an increase of 100% from 20-years ago and highlights the fact that obesity is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
health
r e d u c e t h o s e burdens. But s u c h consequences are also likely to affect p r i v a t e insurance
schemes. For example, it is quite possible that if the physician's advice is not taken seriously and attitudes and lifestyle changes are not adopted, then some or all of the future "disease" cost, (whether that be heart, stroke or diabetes related etc.) may have to be borne by the patients directly, despite already having insurance!
1996
2004
Body Mass Index In a medical sense being overweight refers to <10%-14% No Data <10% someone who is 20% or more than their ideal 20%-24% <25% 15%19% weight and obese as having a body mass index Figure 1 - Figure 1: The total percentage of (see below) of 30 and obesity in the population of each US State. above. Obesity is clearly Note the dramatic increases of every region recognised as one of the over a mere 13 year period. (1) leading causes of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other To measure obesity the body mass debilitating disorders, therefore index needs to be calculated. This is reducing one's fat content is a major weight (in kilograms) divided by the step towards improved long term height in meters squared. health. So for example, you can place your own figures into this formula: Sept 2006 S a m
I 7
The Body Mass Index Formula weight in kilos (height in meters x height in meters) = BMI Let's use a fictional example of someone weighing 80 kilos (176 lbs) with a height of 1.8 meters (5.9 feet). This would results in a BMI of 24.69 which just falls within the normal range. You can compare your results with the table in figure 2 to see your result. Figure 2
BMI
Weight status
Below 18.5
Underweight
18.5-24.9
Normal
25.0 - 2 9 . 9
Overweight
30.0 and above
Obese
Body Mass Index or BMI is a tool for indicating weight status. It is a measure of weight over height. This table represents adults over 20 years of age and shows the four BMI categories.
Obesity, the environment and new developments Dr. George Bray put it well when he said of obesity; "genetics loads the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger." In other words, whilst some folks are predisposed to weight gain because of their genetic background, much can be done to control the problems through lifestyle, i.e. diet and exercise. Naturally the importance of an effective, side-effect free approach to obesity and the size of the market has not passed the attention of the pharmaceutical companies. A quick check on CentrewatchÂŽ, (the listing for drugs in development) revealed
8 Ii a m
Sept 2006
35 drugs currently with Investigational New Drug (IND) status for the treatment of obesity.
There have been two recent discoveries that may expand our knowledge of how and why our bodies store fat, and indeed why some people are more prone to being overweight than others. Research conducted at the Imperial College and at the Hammersmith Hospital, (both in London), have highlighted the possibility of a "fat gene." Their studies looked at rare conditions such as Marinesco Sjogren, and they indicate that these people are devoid of a protein called S a r l b . Its role appears to be the absorption/ consumption of fat, with genetic mutations reducing its efficiency. It's a possible pointer to why some individuals shed weight more easily than others.
increasing aromatase activity (the enzyme that coverts testosterone to estrogens). Trials are currently underway to see if leptin injections induce weight gain, if they do confirm this, then agents may be targeted to reduce leptin levels to assist weight loss as part of a calorie controlled diet. But as research is still underway to determine these mechanisms and the efficacy and safety of potential treatments, none of these
" O b e s i t y is clearly recognised as one of the leading causes of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other debilitating disorders"
Professor James Scott of Imperial's Genetics and Genomics Research Institute said of S a r l b : "This opens up exciting new avenues for understanding of the origins of obesity, and in the long term may create new treatments for this most serious of modern diseases." Another relatively recent discovery has been the rather confusing role of a hormone called leptin. Leptin is produced by the fat tissue and seems to play a key role in regulating energy balance and body weight in animals and in humans. When a person loses weight leptin concentration in the blood is reduced. Blood leptin levels have been found to be related to metabolic rate, (the rate in which the body burns its calories), appetite and many other physiological and hormonal changes that may lead to failure in dieting. It has been suggested that leptin has a role in the increased production of estrogens, possibly by
approaches will be "available in a pharmacy or clinic near you soon!" Thus to date, there are essentially two medical approaches to weight loss/ control. â&#x20AC;˘ The first is to prevent the uptake of sugars, carbohydrates and fats and is often achieved with diabetic drugs such as acarbose or
metformin, or with specific antiobesity drugs such as orlistat (Xenical). â&#x20AC;˘ The other method is to inhibit hunger itself by stimulating or blocking particular receptor sites in the brain. Now there's a new "kid on the block" and it operates through that second method listed above. It is expected to be big news as it represents something of a breakthrough in the management of obesity- it's called rimonabant.
Rimonabant Rimonabant represents one of the latest and indeed most novel methods for controlling body mass. Rimonabant operates by being a cannabinoid receptor antagonist. This means that it prevents the normal action of endogenous cannabinoid in the brain from stimulating the so-called CB1 receptors. It would appear that these receptors stimulate appetite and therefore when they are "subdued" so is the need to eat.
"Rimonabant represents one of the latest and indeed most novel methods for controlling body mass"
The origin of this idea was the realization that smoking cannabis tends to induce the sensation to eat, the so-called munchies. This lead scientists to believe that the inhibition of the cannabinoid receptors may lead to the opposite effect. There must have been some interesting proposals as to how to conduct the clinical trials!
So it was the pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis that set out in 2001 to begin clinical trials to establish whether this approach could benefit obese individuals. The results of those trials have resulted in much excitement and the anticipation of the drug's release, under the brand name of AcompliaÂŽ. According to Jean-Francois Dehecq, Sanofi's CEO, rimonabant could peak annual sales of $3.6 billion an amount unheard of, even in the lucrative market of weight loss treatments. So what's all the fuss about? Let's look at some of the clinical trials.
relatively common side effects were mild gastrointestinal effects, dizziness and these were noted to be transient. "Those who stay on the drug for a year show remarkable weight loss: on average 17 pounds (7.7 Kg)." said Jean Pierre Despres, PhD., Professor of food and nutrition sciences at Lavel University in Montreal. "Plus we saw a real reduction in waist circumference of 3 inches (8 cm)." But aside from the weight loss, the numerous trials conducted to date have also highlighted other possible advantages for this new, novel drug.
Diabetes Findings of a human 2-year trial with rimonabant were presented at the American Heart Association conference in New Orleans in November 2004. It indicated that 33% of people using rimonabant managed to lose 10% of their body weight and kept their weight down throughout the study period of 2-years, a further third lost 5% of their body weight and kept that weight off too.
In June 2005 the American Diabetes Association at their congress in San Diego reported the results of a 1-year
Additional long term human study results were presented in March 2005 at the American College of Cardiology. 1036 patients who were either overweight or obese and who also had blood lipid disorders were randomized to one of three groups, those being placebo, 5 mg./ day or 20 mg./ day of rimonabant. After 1-year of treatment, patients receiving 20 mg./ day rimonabant had significant improvements (compared to placebo) in waist circumference, as well as HDL (good cholesterol) levels, triglyceride levels, CRP levels and insulin sensitivity. During the trial the drug was well tolerated. The only Sept 2006
study on 1045 people with type-ll diabetes. They found that 20 mg./ day of rimonabant improved H b A l C (a measure of blood sugar control), dyslipidemia (abnormal levels of fat in the blood) and systolic blood pressure. "The [trial] results indicated that rimonabant delivered a clinically meaningful reduction in H b A l c and may offer a broad range of cardiometabolic risk factor improvements that are essential for the comprehensive management of people with type II diabetes," said Professor Scheen, who went on to say that; "even in a patient population with an average H b A l c levels at a point where further control is difficult to achieve, rimonabant was still able to achieve a clinically significant reduction in H b A l c . "
Acomplia (rimonabant) is the first new weight loss drug in 10-years, recently approved in parts of Europe it is available directly from IAS. ACOMPLIA 20m rimonabant s a n o f i a vent,s,
i
28 x 20mg tablets $224.99
A c o m p l i a is a novel new drug for the treatment of weight loss that has been proven in clinical trials w h e n taken over 12months to: [7]
R e d u c e bodyweight on average by 10%
0
Shrink waistlines on average by 3-inches
0
Improve H b A 1 c (a marker of blood sugar)
[~7l
Improve systolic blood pressure
[J\
Improve levels of H D L (good cholesterol)
[7j
R e d u c e triglycerides
What's more in the patient follow-ups 2-years later, Acomplia has helped patients to maintain their weight loss and improvements to the diabetes and cardiovascular parameters mentioned above
To order Acomplia (rimonabant) call today:
USA: Toll-free 866-800-4677 ROW: +44 208 1232106 Further information is available at www.antiaging-systems.com 101 i a m sept 2006
The study followed 1045 people in 11 different countries, all of whom had type-ll diabetes. 43% of patients on 20 mg./ day of rimonabant achieved H b A l c levels below 6.5% (the level recommended by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists), that was more than double compared to those on placebo. Even the diabetic patients had significant weight loss with rimonabant, an average of 11.7 lbs (5.3 Kg) versus 3 lbs (1.4 Kg) for those on placebo, and most significantly a waist circumference reduction of 2 inches (5.3 cm) for those using rimonabant compared to 0.7 inches (1.9 cm) for those using placebo. "The weight loss reported for rimonabant in patients with diabetes may be an important finding," commented Dr. Michael Jensen, Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic. He added that; "Glycemic control with current therapies is often associated with weight gain. This weight gain can diminish the benefits of treatment and lessen the overall improvement in cardiometabolic risk."
Cardiovascular In the same diabetes study (as above), HDL cholesterol (the so-called good version) and triglycerides were improved in patients taking rimonabant at 20 mg./ day. Specifically HDL cholesterol increased on average by 15.4% in the rimonabant group (compared to 7.1% in the placebo group) and triglycerides were
reduced by 9.1% on average in the rimonabant group compared to an increase of 7.3% in the placebo group. Side effects noted in these studies were mainly mild and transient consisting (in order of frequency) of nausea, dizziness, diarrhoea, vomiting, hypoglycaemia, fatigue and anxiety.
Clinical trials; Smoking It would appear that the same CB1 receptors whilst having a role in controlling diet and factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular issues, may also be a prominent factor in helping to quit smoking. It is quite obvious that smoking is detrimental to health, but as Robert Anthenelli, M.D., Professor of psychiatry at the University of
Cincinnati stated; "smoking cessation is an enormous struggle for many people. People who smoke are at a high risk for cardiovascular disease. It is imperative to do anything and everything we can to
REFERENCES 1. Department of health and human services. US obesity trends 1985-2004. Center for disease control and prevention, www.cdc.gov 2. Herper M: Is there a fat gene? Forbes magazine www.forbes.com 3. Bruner D. Handling obesity in the clinic. 3rd Asia Pacific Antiaging Conference. Singapore June 26, 2004.
treat tobacco dependence. Rimonabant represents a potentially promising new treatment option that can help people stop smoking while curbing post cessation weight gain. This may be a major step forward in smoking cessation." To test this, a double-blind, placebo controlled study enrolled 787 smokers. Their average age was 42 and they smoked 23 cigarettes a day, after having been smokers for 11 to 24 years. These figures classified them as moderate to heavy smokers. 16 Over a period of 10-weeks they received either 5 mg., 20 mg. of rimonabant or a placebo. Abstinence was measured within the first 4weeks of the trial by measuring carbon monoxide concentrations in their expired air (therefore reducing the chances of patients lying about their habit). The results were that 20 mg./ day of rimonabant doubled the chance of quitting when compared to placebo, with 36.2% of those using rimonabant quitting compared to 20.6% on placebo. Interestingly, during the postcessation period, the time when typically smokers gain weight (normally because they substitute
their habit for eating), the rimonabant patients showed an actual loss of weight of an average of 0.5 lb (0.3 Kg) whereas the placebo group gained on average 2.5 lbs (1.1 Kg).
Conclusion Is it any wonder that Sanofi are expecting rimonabant to be a blockbuster drug? Consider that it has shown itself to be effective in reducing individual's weight- on average by 10%, furthermore reducing the usually "hard to effect" waist lines and even maintaining that weight loss for at least 2-years, thus aiding those billion people worldwide now classified as obese. In addition, it also appears to benefit type-ll diabetes, a pandemic currently estimated to effect nearly 200 million people worldwide and rising fast. On top of that it positively aids the correction of cholesterol and triglyceride ratios with its relevance for improved cardiovascular health. Plus, if you're a smoker, rimonabant could be the drug of choice to also help you kick that unhealthy habit. The undoubted forthcoming success of rimonabant is highly likely to spark an entirely new generation of drugs.
link to obesity and hypertension. Drugs Today
factors in people with type II diabetes. Medical
(Bare). 2005 0ct;41(10):687-95.
Study News, Sunday June 2005.
9. Irwin ML, McTiernan A, Bernstein L, Gilliland FD, Baumgartner R, Baumgartner K, BallardBarbash R. Relationship of obesity and physical activity with C-peptide, leptin, and insulin-like
14. Amy Tsao. Has obesity met its match? Business week online, April 8, 2004. 15. Abstracts from the 2004 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association. November 7-
growth factors in breast cancer survivors. Cancer
10, 2004, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2005
Circulation. 2004 Oct 26;110(17 Suppl):llll-835
Dec;14(12):2881-8. 10. Dundar B, Dundar N, Erci T, Bober E,
16. Highlights from the American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session 2005: March
4. BBC News www.bbc.co.uk
Buyukgebiz A. Leptin levels in boys with pubertal
5-9, 2005, Orlando, Florida] Rev Med Suisse.
5. Department of health and human resources.
gynecomastia. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2005
2005 May 4;1(18):1234, 1236-7
Body Mass Index for adults. Center for disease control and prevention, www.cdc.gov 6. Thomson CenterWatch, Micromedix December, 2005. 7. BBC News/ Health, Friday 18 April, 2003. www.bbc.co.uk 8. Mukherjee R, Villarreal D. Reams GP, Freeman RH, Tchoukina I, Spear RM. Leptin as a common
0ct;18(10):929-34. 11. Acomplia (Rimonabant), investigational agent for the management of obesity. www.drugdevelopment-technology.com 12. New study confirms benefits of Rimonabant in weight loss, www.news-medical.com 13. Rimonabant study shows significant
17. A 2 in 1 drug helps to lose weight and quit smoking, Yahoo ANI news, February 22, 2005. 18. American Diabetes Association website www.diabetes.org 19. Data shows new drug, rimonabant, helps smokers quit while limiting post cessation weight gain, www.eurekalert.org. 9 March, 2004.
improvements in H b A l c and cardiometabolic risk
sept 2006 i a m
11
Gerovital
the original antiaging drug 12
l a m
Sept 2006
" m o s t patients receiving Gerovital... felt a greater sense of well being and relaxation, slept better at night and many obtained relief from depression and the discomforts of chronic inflammation or degenerative disease."
the introduction of Gerovital Gerovital is the grandmother of modern antiaging drugs. Since it was first introduced to the western world in the early I950's by its inventor- Romanian gerontologist Dr. Ana Asian, Gerovital has been the subject of both intense marketing hype and glamour, as well as heated scientific controversy. The marketing hype has been in part fuelled by the glamour attached to Gerovital's many famous users. Celebrity columnists reported regulars at Asian's clinic to include German Chancellor Konrad Adenaner, Winston Churchill, Bob Hope, Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe, Jack Benny, Prince Rainier the Aga Khan and other "glitterati." The scientific controversy surrounding Gerovital has stemmed in part through confusion and disagreement regarding both the chemical identity of Gerovital as well as its mechanisms of action.
gerovital- procaine and stabilizers Dr. Asian defined Gerovital as procaine (the famous dental anaesthetic) stabilized with small amounts of benzoic acid, potassium metabisulphate and disodium phosphate.Yet the various scientific distracters of Gerovital, none of whom had any clinical experience of using Gerovital, claimed that the stabilizers were irrelevant and unnecessary!
Professor Ana Asian at age 80 in 1977
On that basis, they performed various small scale, short term experiments using procaine alone, which (surprise!) failed to confirm Asian's Gerovital rejuvenation effects. They then went on to claim that this proved Asian's thousands of patient years of clinical experience and multi faceted
success using Gerovital to be fraud, delusion, quackery or perhaps mere placebo effect. It should be noted that this is a standard method used by the medical establishment to refute claims they consider heresy. For example, during the I970's Nobel Laurate, Linus Pauling and Dr. Ewan Cameron had many clinical successes treating cancer with mega doses of vitamin C. Based on their clinical experience, they noted that the therapy only worked reliably on patients whose immune system had not been damaged by chemotherapy or radiation therapy.The Mayo clinic then ran trials using mega doses of vitamin C with cancer patients, all of whom had received chemo and/ or X ray treatment and found (another surprise) that the Pauling method did not work! Another similar story could be said of the Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital in the 1970's who ran trials to test the cancer remedy laetrile, whilst significantly deviating from the carefully documented and published protocols followed by clinicians with laetrile- to wit- they too found to their great surprise that laetrile didn't work! A more recent trial by detractors of the Candida yeast syndrome, who only used the antifungal drug Nystatin, failed to find patient benefit because they totally ignored the need to accompany the drug with a low sugar diet (to starve the yeast), as it routinely done by doctors who successfully treat Candida patients. So Gerovital is a long way from being alone in this regard.
gerovital and KH3- what's the difference? Indirect support for Asian's claim that procaine requires stabilizers for clinical efficacy was ironically provided through research on the German "copy" of Gerovital known as KH3. KH3 is procaine at one half the dose of Gerovital (50mg vs. lOOmg), stabilized with a tiny amount of hematoporphyrin (HP).This is simply haemoglobin minus its protein and iron. Studies with KH3 carried out in 1979 by D. Hegner at the Munich Institute for Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy and by L.Tirri at the Chemistry Department of the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, did in fact find HP to be a successful stabilizer of procaine, making it more effective.
sept 2006 i a m
"put simplyo v e r a l i f e t i m e Cortisol d a m a g e s the b r a i n , m u s c l e s , b o n e , skin a n d the i m m u n e system."
(ftroo-itat - tke
outiapinf dry
the real McCoy
i m p o r t a n t . T h e original p h a r m a c e u t i c a l antidepressants
T h e stability issue derives in p a r t f r o m t h e fact t h a t u n d e r s o m e c o n d i t i o n s p r o c a i n e hydrolyzes in s o l u t i o n i n t o d i e t h y l a m i n o e t h a n o l ( D E A E ) , w h i c h is a close c o u s i n o f D M A E and t h e B v i t a m i n p a r a - a m i n o b e n z o i c acid ( P A B A ) . It has been c l a i m e d by b o t h s u p p o r t e r s and o p p o n e n t s o f G e r o v i t a l t h a t it is these t w o c o n s t i t u e n t s t h a t (allegedly) p r o v i d e t h e benefits o f G e r o v i t a l . Because D E A E is so similar t o D M A E and may even be m e t a b o l i s e d t o it in t h e
w e r e M A O I s , b u t t h e y s o o n fell i n t o disuse d u e t o serious, even lethal side effects (sic).These p h a r m a c e u t i c a l M A O I s w e r e s t r o n g , i r r e v e r s i b l e M A O I s , as a c o n s e q u e n c e t h e y c o u l d lead t o t h e p h e n o m e n o n called t h e " c h e e s e effect." T h i s is a c o n d i t i o n w h e r e b y c o n s u m p t i o n o f c e r t a i n f o o d s and beverages r i c h in t h e a m i n o a c i d d e r i v a t i v e t y r a m i n e w h i l e t a k i n g p r e s c r i p t i o n M A O I s c o u l d lead t o severely high b l o o d p r e s s u r e crisis, even s t r o k e s .
body, t h e r e have been many p s e u d o G e r o v i t a l ' s s o l d in health f o o d s t o r e s - w h i c h are in fact n o t h i n g m o r e t h a n a m i x o f D M A E and P A B A . Y e t G e r o v i t a l has p r o p e r t i e s t h a t are n o t possessed by e i t h e r D M A E o r P A B A .
O n e o f t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t benefits o f G e r o v i t a l may
H o w e v e r , because G e r o v i t a l is a w e a k , reversible M A O I , it does n o t e x h i b i t this d a n g e r o u s side effect.
gerovital's clinical and antiaging uses Several clinical studies published in t h e j o u r n a l
d e r i v e f r o m its r o l e as a w e a k , reversible m o n o a m i n e
Psychosomatics in 1974 v e r i f i e d t h e clinical effectiveness o f
oxidase i n h i b i t o r ( M A O I ) . M A O is an e n z y m e in t h e brain
G e r o v i t a l as an antidepressant. W . G . Z u n g o f D u k e
t h a t increases substantially w i t h age. M A O ' s degrade key
U n i v e r s i t y r e p o r t e d G e r o v i t a l t o be m o r e effective t h a n
b r a i n n e u r o t r a n s m i t t e r s , especially n o r a d r e n a l i n e , (also
the standard antidepressant of the t i m e (Imipramine).
k n o w n as n o r e p i n e p h r i n e ) , d o p a m i n e and s e r o t o n i n . A s a
W h i l e C o l m a n and D i t m a n r e p o r t e d t h a t m o s t patients
c o n s e q u e n c e , b r a i n levels o f t h e s e n e u r o t r a n s m i t t e r s t e n d
receiving G e r o v i t a l ; " f e l t a g r e a t e r sense o f w e l l being and
t o d i m i n i s h w i t h age, w i t h a c o n c o m i t a n t loss o f brain
r e l a x a t i o n , slept b e t t e r at n i g h t and many o b t a i n e d relief
f u n c t i o n s , (e.g. m e m o r y , a t t e n t i o n span, h o r m o n e r e g u l a t i o n
f r o m d e p r e s s i o n and t h e d i s c o m f o r t s o f c h r o n i c
etc.), as w e l l as an increase in d e p r e s s i o n .
i n f l a m m a t i o n o r d e g e n e r a t i v e disease."
gerovital the reversible M A O I
n o t e d in t h e Journal o f A g e and A g i n g in 1983, based o n a
F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e researchers M.R. Hall and colleagues
In t h e late I960's t h e f a m e d U n i v e r s i t y o f C a l i f o r n i a g e r o n t o l o g i s t , Dr. Joseph H r a c h o v a c , r e p o r t e d t h a t G e r o v i t a l can significantly l o w e r brain levels o f M A O activity. F u r t h e r m o r e , M.D. MacFarlane r e p o r t e d in t h e prestigious Journal o f F e d e r a t i o n Proceedings in 1975 t h a t G e r o v i t a l was " a w e a k , reversible, fully c o m p e t i t i v e
t r i a l o f 2 4 7 healthy e l d e r l y subjects w h o t o o k K H 3 o v e r 2 years t h a t ; " t h e result o f this t r i a l suggests t h a t K H 3 is an active s u b s t a n c e . . . e a r l i e r w o r k o n p r o c a i n e claimed t h a t it i m p r o v e d recall, increased p s y c h o m o t o r a c t i v i t y and muscle s t r e n g t h in t h e e l d e r l y . W e w e r e s u r p r i s e d t o substantiate t h e s e findings."
inhibitor of MAO." It s h o u l d be n o t e d t h a t by increasing brain s e r o t o n i n , a G e r o v i t a l ' s ability t o serve in this way is e x t r e m e l y
M A O I w o u l d i m p r o v e sleep, by increasing brain n o r a d r e n a l i n e a M A O I w o u l d increase m e m o r y and
The traditional program for Gerovital... is t o take 100 mg. once or twice daily on an empty stomach.Those w h o find it t o o stimulating should use a lesser dose and/ o r not take it in the afternoon. C a u t i o n : Due t o its M A O I effect, Gerovital's energizing effect may make it necessary t o take a periodic holiday from its use.The original protocol was 5-days off each month. It is w o r t h noting that Gerovital can amplify the stimulating effect of other "neuroenergizers" which may increase dopamine and/ or noradrenaline activity, some examples can include; deprenyl (selegiline), L-dopa, modafinil, hydergine, phenylalanine o r tyrosine. Caution is advised in such cases and therefore best t o seek a health professional advice. Those persons with a known o r suspected allergy t o procaine should obviously avoid use, and persons with Cortisol deficiency problems, or w h o are using medically prescribed Cortisol or prednisone therapy- should only use Gerovital under medical care. Persons using psychiatric drugs, such as tranquilizers, anti-epileptics, anti-depressants etc., should also be wary of concurrent use with Gerovital and seek advice before embarking on a program.
14 I i a m
Sept 2006
attention, and by increasing dopamine levels a M A O I would increase psychomotor activity and muscle strength. Another report from Vienna in 1970, of a 5month trial of KH3 in 120 people, with an additional I 12 receiving a placebo, found that the KH3 group had a better memory for numbers, felt more alert and had superb concentration with better hand and eye coordination.This was all according t o W. Czerwenka in the Vienna Medical Weekly Journal.
The original antiaging drug! D e v e l o p e d by Professor AnaAslan, G e r o v i t a l - H 3 was t h e f i r s t s u p p l e m e n t in t h e w o r l d t o be specifically d e v e l o p e d t o help r e t a r d t h e aging p r o c e s s . T h e Asian clinic became f a m o u s all
O t h e r Gerovital and KH3 benefits reported in the Journals over the years include:
a r o u n d t h e w o r l d , a t t r a c t i n g many celebrities t o Bucharesteven d u r i n g its C o m m u n i s t regime! It is believed t h a t due t o Gerovital's m i l d reversible M A O - A a c t i o n and C o r t i s o l
• Stabilizing brain cell membranes in ways that reverse " n o r m a l " aging related membrane deterioration. • Increasing general intracellular metabolic rate, (especially in muscle cells). • Increasing intracellular D N A levels, (necessary for optimal regeneration and repair of age induced cellular wear and tear).
gerovital's ultimate benefit Yet what may turn out t o be the most important antiaging benefit of Gerovital o r KH3, as well as the r o o t of their diverse clinical benefits- ranging from decreasing hypertension, t o improving memory, t o reducing insomnia, minimizing stress, fatigue and depression is generally unknown, even t o ardent supports of the program! In a landmark paper w r i t t e n by Alfred Sapse in 1984 and published in the Journal of Hypotheses, Stress, Cortisol, Interferon and Stress Diseases, a 14-page paper with 62 references, Sapse makes the case that Cortisol, the "state of siege" hormone that is secreted by the adrenal glands, could all-byitself, cause a host of the common mental and physical problems related t o stress, aging and degenerative disease.
i n h i b i t i o n t h a t G e r o v i t a l i m p r o v e s all o f t h e f o l l o w i n g :
*Hair *Skin * Joint mobility * Senility *Arthritis *Memory * Depression
Gerovital-H3 25x1 OOmg tablets $14.99 Gerovital-H3 (injectable) 5x5ml a m p s $39.99 Aslavital (with a d d e d B6) 5x5ml a m p s $44.99 G H 3 - P r o (generic) 60x1 OOmg tablets $19.99
A popular supplement still today, t h e r e have been many copies o v e r t h e years, s o m e o f w h i c h d o n ' t even c o n t a i n t h e c o r r e c t active ingredients o r i m p o r t a n t stabilizers! H o w e v e r , as is always t h e case w i t h t h e IAS
Pro the original antiaging supplement
range, w e o f f e r t h e original- still m a d e in Romania G e r o v i t a l - H 3 , plus w e also o f f e r a
In more recent years, the central role of Cortisol in promoting degenerative disease and aging has been expounded upon by Dilman and Dean in their magnum opusthe; Neuroendocrine Theory of Aging and Degenerative Disease, as well as Robert Sapolsky in his scientific papers and the book; W h y Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, and more recently by D.S. Khalsa in his 1997 book- Brain Longevity.
precise generic r e p l i c a ® |
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sept 2006 i a m
"anything w h i c h safely and effectively... protects the structure, function, health and stability of the hippocampus is at once at the core of promoting a healthy and vibrant middle and old age"
tferoin'tat - tkt orif it a? a«ttaping
dry
Put simply, over a lifetime Cortisol damages the brain, muscles, bone, skin and the immune system.
gerovital & the hippocampus A key regulatory center of the brainthe hippocampusmay gradually lose 20% of its cells to its unique sensitivity to Cortisol damage.The hippocampus, a mid brain structure strategically seated above the hypothalamus/ pituitary axis and below the cerebral cortex, plays a crucial role in cognition, attention, memory, emotional stability and sensory integration. It also plays a major role in regulating the hypothalamic/
It was probably Sapse in 1984 who first compiled a list of substances which can protect our bodies and brains from the ravages of stress inducing Cortisol. His short list included: • Phenytoin (Dilantin). • Vitamin C. • Aspirin. • Gerovital. In his chapter on Gerovital in his book; Mind, Food and Smart Pills, Ross Pelton lists a host of ailments, problems and diseases claimed to be cured or helped by Gerovital. Over half of that list, including senility, wrinkling skin, stress, depression, fatigue, poor memory, hypertension, loss of sexual desire,
pituitary axis- which in turn regulates the entire endocrine (glandular) system on the human body.
insomnia, heart disease, hormonal deficiencies, Alzheimer's disease and headaches are among the many ill effects of Cortisol cited by Sapse.
The hippocampus is ravaged in Alzheimer's Disease and is damaged to a lesser extent in "normal" aging. Ironically, it has been discovered that as the hippocampus is more and more damaged through a lifetime of stress induced Cortisol secretion, the hippocampus loses its ability to regulate chronic Cortisol levels.
Thus, the confusion and scepticism of many researchers as to how simple procaine, even as an effective MAOI, could lead to such a broad and seemingly unrelated host of benefits for the body and mind, is now resolved!
Anything which safely and effectively protects the structure, function, health and stability of the hippocampus is at once at the core of promoting a healthy and vibrant middle and old age.
16 I i a m
Sept 2006
It is through Gerovital's antagonism of the broad spectrum degenerative effects of stress induced by Cortisol excess, so common in the modern world, that makes Gerovital's claim to be, not only the original, but also still one of the most important antiaging supplements available today.
calendar o\ events
in the news A link between Parkinson's and pesticides is discovered Exposure to pesticides could increase the longterm risk for developing Parkinson's disease by 70% according to researchers from the Harvard school of public health in Boston. Their finding backs up earlier animal studies that linked pesticide exposure to motor function abnormalities and lower levels of the brain neurotransmitter dopamine. "This is the first large human study that shows that exposure to pesticides is associated with a higher incidence of Parkinson's," said lead author Professor Alberto Ascherio. Ascherio and his colleagues discussed their work in the July 2 0 0 6 issue of the Annals of Neurology, after reviewing lifestyle surveys completed in both 1982 and in 2 0 0 1 by over 143,000 participants in the U.S. Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort. In addition to pesticide exposure, participants were asked about exposure to a host of chemicals and dusts, such as: asbestos, acids, solvents, coal and stone dust, coal tar, asphalt, diesel engine exhaust, dyes, formaldehyde, gasoline exhaust, herbicides, textile fibers, wood dust, and x-ray or radioactive materials. Nearly all the patients were white, with an average age just of over 60. The surveys revealed that over 8% of the men and just over 3% of the women reported exposure to pesticides, with exposed patients twice as likely to be bluecollar workers and 14 times more likely to work either as either a farmer, rancher, or fisherman. However, no differences were found in terms of the risk of increase between patients who experienced exposure because of their work, such as farmers, and those who came into contact with the chemicals because of home or garden use. The Harvard team found that, regardless of occupation, pesticide exposure boosted long-term Parkinson's risk by 70% percent over the long-term. Ascherio stressed that; "the key point would be to identify which chemicals cause Parkinson's," he said. "It's not very practical to tell people to avoid pesticides, because many people find them useful. So this will require more detailed study," he added. Robin Elliot, executive director for the Parkinson's Disease Foundation in New York City, described the findings as "important and solid." Adding "This is certainly the biggest and most serious population study on people, and it appears to be the best proof today that there is a general association between pesticides and Parkinson's among people," and that "it merits further investigation." [Ed.- Why was there no significant difference
between those full time handlers of pesticides (i.e. farmers) and the part-time handlers (i.e. gardeners)? Perhaps it's because we're all eating the same food? Well you can wait until they discover which of the chemicals in the pesticides are responsible, or you can go organic today!]
SEPTEMBER 2006 Date: September 7-10, 2006 Name: The Australasian Conference on Anti-Aging Medicine Place: Bali, Indonesia Contact: www.asiaantiaaing.net/2006/ main/default, asp
Study suggests that older Americans are less healthy than British
Date: September 15-17, 2006 Name: London Antiageing Conference Place: London, England Contact: www.antiaaeinaconference.com
Americans of 55 and older are sicker than their British counterpartseven though the USA spends more than twice as much per person on health care as Britain. This is the conclusion of researchers from University College, London who published in The Journal of the American Medical Association. The inquiry used data from American and British health surveys to compare the relative health of people ages 55 to 6 4 and how their health varies as a result of social and economic status. The researchers stated; "health insurance cannot be the central reason for the better health outcomes in England because the top socioeconomic-status tier of the U.S. population have universal access, yet their health outcomes are often worse than those of their English counterparts." Dr. Michael Marmot, an author of the report, said; "the research showed that differences in health could not be ascribed to the usual suspects, like rates of smoking, obesity or alcohol abuse. Nor could varying levels of health be attributed to differences between the health care systems of the United States and Britain." He argues that it's due to the differences in the circumstances in which people live, with the nature of work, job insecurity, residential communities, etc. Essentially middle-aged to older U.S. residents have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, lung disease and cancer than their English counterparts, all despite the fact that the American per capita expenditure on medical care is $5,274 a year compared with $2,164 in Britain. An unsurprising result was that wealthier and better-educated people in both countries were much healthier than poorer and less-educated people, but the study found that differences in socioeconomic groups between the two countries were so great, that those in the top education and income level in the U.S. had similar rates of diabetes and heart disease as those in the bottom education and income level in England.
OCTOBER 2006 Date: October 5-8, 2006 Name: Antiaging and Integrative Medicine Place: Geneva, Switzerland Contact: www.saaam.org Date: October 13-15, 2006 Name: International Conference on Healthy Ageing and Longevity Place: Melbourne, Australia Contact: www.lonaevitvinternational.com Date: October 18-21, 2006 Name: European Congress on AntiAging Medicine Place: Vienna, Austria Contact: www.antiaaing-vienna2006.at NOVEMBER 2006 Date: November 10-12, 2006 Name: Clinical Applications for Age Management Medicine Place: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Contact: www.agingoptions.org DECEMBER 2006 Date: December 7-10, 2006 Name: International Anti-Aging Congress Place: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Contact: www.worldhealth.net MARCH 2007 Date: March 1-2, 2007 Name: Conference on Antiaging Place: Bangkok, Thailand Contact: www.bumrunQrad.com/antiaaing/2007 Date: March 22-24, 2007 Name: Antiaging World Congress Place: Monte Carlo, Monaco Contact: www.world2007.oro APRIL 2007 Date: April 29-1 May, 2007 Name: Society of Antiaging & Aesthetic Medicine Place: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Contact: www.saamm.com
If you organize or attend an event that you think will be of interest to our readers please contact: editor@antiaging-magazine.com
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Dentistry, Mercury, Aging & Health
As one of the UK's leading pro-active dentists, we are very pleased to have Dr. Brian Halvorsen joining our team to report on dentistry and health. In this first part of two issues, Dr. Halvorsen uses his considerable skills and experience to relay how some of the practices in modern dentistry can have a negative effect on health and aging. In this first part he reviews the how and whys of the metals used have a role in pro-aging. In part two he will discuss in more detail how to reduce and remove these risks through chelation, nutrition and good diet.
Table 1: s a general practitioner for over 30-years I have faced on a day-to-day basis the world's number one environmental poison- mercury. Mercury, (chemical symbol Hg), is a heavy metal (atomic weight 200.59 Amu) that is used for many medical and industrial purposes and in dentistry, the amalgam fillings are approximately 50% mercury and 50% silver. Although I do not place amalgam fillings into my patients' teeth, I still have to drill the material out and therefore I and my staff are exposed to even greater amounts of mercury as an occupational hazard. [Ed.Indeed it is believed that as profession dentists are now in the highest risk category for development of senile dementias].
A
For more than 20-years I have seen patients on a referral basis who are suffering from the effects of micromercurism. These referrals come from medical practitioners, dentists, naturopaths, homeopaths, nutritionists and other health professionals. The signs of mercury toxicity and its associated negative health effects are often vague and in isolation difficult to accurately diagnose, but table 1 will show you some of the noted symptoms. Before we move on, it is worth noting that there are numerous "everyday" sources of mercury and that this problem is not limited to those people with amalgams in their mouth. Table 2 highlights these common sources: Table 2: N o r m a l sources of mercury Adhesives Air conditioner filters All fish (in particular salmon and tuna) Animal and industrial waste Automobile exhausts Batteries Body powders (calomel) Cinnabar (used in jewellery) Cosmetics Dental amalgams Drinking and well water External salves
Fabric softeners Fertilizers Floor wax Haemorrhoid supplements Laxatives Paints and pigments Pesticides Processed foods Seafood, seawater Skin lightening creams Thermometers Thimerosal (preservative in vaccines) Vaccines (as above) Wood preservatives
Source: Gordon Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Together with a detailed medical consultation process, there are many scientific tests to assess if a patient would benefit from dental treatment to remove their amalgam fillings and possibility any other metals present in their mouth. Mercury can be tested through blood, urine or hair sample, or a combination of all three. Because mercury is so good at binding with the body's important chemical resources, it is not easily circulated into the system and therefore sometimes it is not easily detected in these tests; there have been cases where mercury has only been shown to be present in minute quantities, but then later tests on the same patient have shown it to be rampant! It's important to know that sometimes early tests can "camouflage" the fact there may be toxic levels of mercury in your body. In the UK, a urine challenge test is the recognised method to compare normal urinary
Symptoms associated w i t h micromercurism Allergies Alzheimer's disease Anger/ frustration Anxiety Appetite loss Autism Autoimmune diseases Bleeding gums Cardiac irregularity Constipation Depression Dizziness Excessive sweating Facial pain Fatigue Gait problems GI complaints Hair loss Hallucinations Headaches Hearing disorders High emotions Hormone imbalances Indigestion Insomnia Irritability Joint pain and inflammation Kidney function impairment Libido reduction Loss of confidence Lupus Memory problems Migraines Multiple Sclerosis Muscle weakness and pain Nervousness Numb lips & feet Peridontal disease Poor dusk vision Seizures Skin inflammation Speech disorders Sub-clinical hypothyroidism Stomatitis Swollen glands and tongue Tinnitus Tremors Twitching Vertigo Weight gain Yeast infections Source: Dietrich Klinghardt, M.D., Ph.D. Jean Piaget Department, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
mercury against a urine sample after taking DMSA (Dimercaptosuccinic acid). After such a test, we have often seen the sample elevated from between 500% to 1000%.
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This indicates to us the amounts of mercury that may be present, which are typically "locked up" in the body's tissues. However, the level of mercury in anyone's body does not necessarily reflect the amount of clinical symptoms that they may be suffering from. After all, we all know of an individual who reaches an old-age on a diet of alcohol and cigarettes and is still fit and well, it is the genetic factors that predict if people have a good or poor quality of life, but even so, these genetic factors can be influenced favorably by good health practices whether one has good or poor genes. So it is the same with mercury, with high levels having a statistical probability of a person suffering from a related disease or diminishing quality of life- becoming ever more present with advancing age. For once mercury enters the body it is very difficult to excrete, and particularly when amalgam fillings are present we know these levels increase with age. Another recent test that has been introduced is the MELISA速 exam. This does not measure the amount of a particular heavy metal in your body, but your particular sensitivity to it. Therefore, this can indicate that whilst you may have a relatively low level or mercury, the fact that you are hypersensitive to it helps to explain the symptoms you are experiencing (see figure 1).
Figure 1: A sample of a Melisa diagnostic patient report Code
Name of substance
PMW Ni
Pokeweed Nickel I Nickel II 7.9 Inorganic mercury I Inorganic mercury II Silver I Silver II Gold I Gold II Palladium I Palladium II Phenyl mercury 11.7 Phenyl mercury II Methyl mercury 11.4 Methyl mercury II Titanium dioxide I Titanium dioxide II Thimerosal I Thimerosal II Copper I 0.4 Copper II
Hg Ag Au Pd PhHg MeHg TI02 Thim Cu
Evaluation Strongly positive to: Positive to: Weakly positive to:
Stimulation Index 15.8 15.8 5.3 4.6 3.9 4.3 2.8 2.4 2.4 1.6
Comments control Strongly positive Positive Positive Positive Positive Positive Weakly positive Weakly positive Weakly positive
1.9 1.5 1.1 1.2 0.4 0.7 0.4 Nickel Mercury, Silver Palladium, Gold
A Melisa report gives detailed information on the metals tested and possible sources of exposure. Each metal is tested in two concentrations to obtain optimal results. In the above case, a patient tested strongly positive to nickel and positive to inorganic mercury- which makes up 5 0 % of dental a m a l g a m fillings. Silver is also a component of a m a l g a m fillings. This patient did not react to methyl mercury (organic mercury) found in fish. T h e doctor's report r e c o m m e n d e d that this patient avoids nickel containing items such as earrings, wristwatches, buttons etc., and consult an experienced dentist regarding the replacement of a m a l g a m fillings. Source: www.melisa.org
It is important to know that even under "normal" environmental and dietary conditions there is a considerable risk to mercury have health benefits by having them removed, but they need to be contamination (see table 3). Mercury has a 15removed slowly and safely and at the same time following a specific year half life which means its exposure remains nutritional protocol- both in the pre and post operative stages. toxic for a very long period of time. In dentistry there is a continual debate about what the safe levels are, but the WHO have already stated Table 3: Average human daily does of mercury from various that there is no safe level of mercury. sources* The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) has protocols related to diagnosing and treating patients whose quality of life has been effected by toxic metals in the mouth. This is one of the few situations where scientists and practitioners have communicated to share information. I am a founding member of the UK division and in our regular meetings we have created a forum to share clinical and scientific tips that benefit our patients. Every person who has amalgam fillings will i a m sept 2006
Mercury source
Daily exposure
Form
Dental amalgam Fish/ seafood Other food Air & water
3.0 - 17.0 meg/ day 2.3 meg/ day 0.3 meg/ day traces
vapor Hg methyl mercury inorganic Hg
*these amounts would be increased for persons working with mercury- such as dentistsor those who have more than 1 tooth amalgam- or for persons fond of eating fish etc.) Note: The US Environmental Protection Agency states that the safety limits for mercury vapor exposure are 10 meg per day. Numerous studies have shown that mercury amalgam fillings release anywhere from 1 to 29 meg per day, three times the limit just for one amalgam! The rate of mercury release from amalgams is dependant upon several factors Including the number of amalgam restorations, the composition of the amalgam (high vs. low copper amalgam), the location (occlusal vs. nonocclusal) and the amalgam surface area. [Ed.- some releasing factors must also depend on the types of food eaten too, i.e. acidic vs. alkaline etc.]. Source: World Health Organisation, environmental health criteria 118, inorganic mercury sources, Geneva 1991.
Amalgam removal is vital- because by removing the amalgams in the mouth there are 3 major issues that can be overcome, leading to the improvement the quality of the patient's health/ life, specifically these are:
mercury leaving the brain; hence it is likely that the dramatic alteration in the electrical field that influences the brain activity is more likely the reason.
the WHO have already stated that there is no safe level of mercury
These acute changes (both good and bad) normally fade after a week or two following the dental treatment. The negative effects can be diminished by preparing at the pre-operation period. This is best achieved by working with holistic practitioners experienced in chelation, detoxification and a sound nutritional background involving heavy metals.
1. The removal of the amalgam eliminates the reservoir of mercury which is constantly adding to the total body burden. Much of the mercury vapour is released from the surface of the amalgam fillings by chewing or grinding and passes directly into the brain. As mercury is a potent neurotoxin, any mercury in brain tissues can lead to depression and memory disturbances.
In part 2 of this article I will be elaborating more on how to reduce/ remove these toxins and strengthen the immune system. The protocols chelate the heavy metals and reduce the body burdens. This improves the quality of life and enhances the overall optimal health of the patient.
2. One of the clinical tests performed by IAOMT dentists is to measure the electrical activity of the mouth, either as voltage or current. Voltage readings from amalgams and the metal restorations can read from 0 to +/- 500 millivolts, this is enough to light a small torch! Observations after many years have shown that high differentials of voltage are commonly associated with patients who suffer ill health. In biophysical terms- having high electromagnetic activity so close to the brain and spinal column must be questionable. These metals in the mouth both receive and give off electromagnetic energy- it's a bit like having a mobile [Ed.- cell] phone living in your mouth! 3. There is also the issue of galvanic activity. Just like a battery, the metals in the mouth become the electrodes and so is saliva. But saliva is constantly swallowed, taking more mercury ions into the digestive system. This ionic mercury is extremely bioactive and easily converted into methyl mercury. This helps explain why the most common symptoms of micromercurism are digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and Candida. During and immediately after treatment of amalgams removal, the patient often notices psychological changes which are reflected in changes to moods, sleep patterns, depression, elation, memory- all of which are neurological. This immediate change is too rapid to be caused by
[Ed.- Make sure you receive the November 2006 issue of the Antiaging Magazine to read about Dr. Halverson's protocols].
Worried about the mercury in your dental amalgams?
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100 tablets
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21
Pharmacology
Focus nn
Synonyms: La-6023(metformin) Chemical Name: 1,1-Dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride: Molecular formula: C4H11N5HC1 Molecular Weight: 165.6 CAS Registry: 657-24-9 (Metformin); 111570-a (Metformin HCI)
Description One of the under-utilised and under-rated anti-aging drugs today. Metformin improves insulin use and helps prevent age related onset diabetes. Our bodies progressively lose glucose tolerance as we age, most probably due to the progressive loss of insulin sensitivity. In fact the parameters for insulin testing change as we age, otherwise if a 50 year old was compared to a 20 year old, every older individual would be diagnosed with diabetes!
Metformin is also known to lower cholesterol levels and helps prevent LDLcholesterol from attaching to blood platelets and arteries, thereby reducing the risk of blood clotting. Furthermore, it may also be a useful aid in dieting by stabilizing sugar levels and preventing sugar highs and lows and therefore stop
METFORMIN
cravings for sweet products helping dieters to stick to a plan.
Action Metformin is an anti-biguanide drug used for treating both diabetes types I and II. It increases the sensitivity of peripheral tissues (like muscles) to the effects of
Our focus section takes a direct look at some of the most important supplements available today. It is designed to be a straight-to-detail section for those who want to get to the core of its uses immediately. This issue focuses on ANTIAGING Metformin and is taken from the IAS Antiaging Medicine Reference book. It contains over 100 similar descriptions of different key nutrients, hormones and medicines being used in antiaging medicine today. Just $69.95 including P&P get your copy today by calling 1-866-800-4677 i a m sept 2006
insulin. In effect it rejuvenates this response, restoring the effects of glucose and insulin to much younger physiological levels. Metformin acts in a much more physiologic manner than either the sulfonylureas, or even exogenously administered insulin itself.
indications i.
Age related adult on-set diabetes.
ii.
Dieting aid to prevent sugar
How supplied
cravings. iii. iv. v.
Improve body composition with
Tablets in normal and "slow release" form
improved insulin uptake.
of 250mg, 500mg and 850mg.
Stabilizing of sugar levels. Slow the affects of diabetes (and
Notes
therefore its effects on aging). vi.
Decrease LDL-cholesterol levels.
Metformin may cause the malabsorption
vii.
Increase HDL-cholesterol levels.
of vitamin B12, consequently it is
viii.
Reduce total cholesterol.
recommended that the patient supplement their diet liberally with vitamin
Contraindications
B12.
Metformin can stimulate the effects of
References
anti-coagulants. Treatment is discouraged if combined with Thiazide, Cimetidine, Diuretics or other antihypertensive products, which could cause renal malfunctioning. Ketonuria. Serious hepatic and renal disorders. Serious cardiovascular problems. Serious respiratory problems. Suprarenal insufficiency. Chronic alcoholism. Serious dystrophic illness. Acute haemorrhaging. Gangrene. Diabetes with serious previous episodes of lactic acidosis.
1. Dean, Ward. Biological Aging Measurement, Clinical Applications. The Center for BioGerontology, Pensacola, Florida, 1988. 2. Deutsch, J.C.. Santhosh-Kumar, C.R., Kolhouse, J.F. Efficacy of Metformin in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. NEJM, 1996, 334, 4: 269. 3. Dilman, Vladimir and Dean, Ward. The Neuroendocrine Theory of Aging, The Center for Bio-Geronotlogy, Pesacola, Florida 1992. 4. Dean W., "The most effective and underappreciated life extension drug" Anti-Aging Bulletin, Volume 3 1996, International AntiAging Systems. 5. Dean W., "Metformin, the weight loss drug" Anti-Aging Bulletin, Volume 4 Issue 5, January 2000, International Anti-Aging Systems. 6. Cusi, K., DeFronzo, RA. Metformin: a review
of its Metabolic effects. Diabetes Reviews. V6 N2 1998:89-131. 7. Merck. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. Section 2. Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders. Chapter 13. Disorders of Carbohydrate Metabolism. 8. Dean, Ward. Metformin: Life Extension Drug - Weight Loss Drug. International Anti-Aging System. Vol.: 2291. 9. Dean, Ward. Metformin: The Most effective Life extension Drug. International Anti-Aging System. Vol.: 801. 10. Deutsch, J.C., Santhosh-Kumar, C.R., Kolhouse, J.F. Efficacy of Metformin in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. NEJM, 1996, 334, 4: 269. Dilman, Vladimir, and Dean, Ward. 11. Charles, M.A., Eschwege, E. Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes: Role of Metformin. Drugs 1999:58 Suppl.1:71-73. 12. Fontbonne A., Charles MA, Juhan-Vague I, et al. The effect of Metformin on the metabolic abnormalities associated with upper body fat distribution. Results of the BIGPRO 1 trial. Diabetes Care 1996: 19:920-6. 13. Glueck CJ, Wang P, Fontaine R, Tracy T, Sieve-Smith L. Metformin induced resumption of normal menses in 39 of 43 (91%) previously amenorrheic women polycystic ovary syndrome. Metabolism 1999: 48:1-10. 14. Valazquez EM, Mendosa S, Hamer T, Sosa F, Glucck CJ. Metformin therapy women with polycystic ovary syndrome reduces hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, Hyperandrogenemia, and systolic blood pressure, while facilitating menstrual regulation and pregnancy. Metabolism 1994, 43:647655.
Side effects There are very rarely side effects in otherwise healthy aging individuals using
Thinking about your cholesterol level?
the doses listed below, but can include nausea, loss of appetite and rarely vomiting, stomach pain or diarrhoea. In the treatment of diabetes type I and II as high as 3 grams per day are employed, therefore potential side effects are hypoglycemia or lactic acidosis. There can also be a profound loss of weight.
Dosage For anti-aging purposes, 500mg once, twice or three times daily.
Cautions
Think ab it Metformin Metformin is a standard anti-diabetic drug (dimethyl-biguanide) used worldwide both against insulindependent and against non-insulindependent diabetes. Although it is used primarily to increase peripheral sensitivity to insulin and lower blood glucose, metformin has several other important actions.
Metformin lowers cholesterol le and helps prevent low-density lipoproteins ('bad cholesterol')' attaching to blood platelets and arteries, thereby reducing the risk i blood clotting. Due to the sugar stabilizing properties of Metformin, it is a useful aid for dieters, helping to prevent sugar cravings.
IAS offers 50 x 850mg tablets for only $19.99 Diabetics, and patients with liver or kidney problems, or those who have ever suffered from lactic acidosis, should be
Telephone Orders Call Toll-free Now: 866 800 4 6 7 7 or order online: w w w . a n t i a g i n g - s y s t e m s . c o m
carefully monitored during use. sept 2006 i a m
23
loo YEARS YOUNG
by David Jay Brown
he celebrated Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann turned a hundred last January.
T
Thousands of people from around the world gathered in Basel. Switzerland to celebrate his centennial birthday and honor him for his
numerous discoveries and contributions to the fields of chemistry and psycho-pharmacology. When Dr. Hofmann addressed the large crowds that gathered in his honor, he spoke eloquently. He was unusually articulate and clear-headed for a man that was over a century old Many people remarked how sharp his mind was and later, when I had an opportunity to interview Dr. Hofmann for a book that I'm working on, I too couldn't help but marvel at his remarkable cognitive abilities. I wondered if part of the secret to his extraordinary mental clarity was a result of his development and regular use of the ergot-derived pharmaceutical Hydergine, (Ergoloid mesylate). THE DEVELOPMENT OF HYDERGINE When Dr. Hofmann began working for Sandoz Pharmaceuticals (now Novartis) in Switzerland during the 1930s his research goal was to work towards the isolation of active principles in known medicinal plants. Dr. Hofmann developed Hydergine in the 1940s, while researching the chemistry of ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and was traditionally used by midwives in Europe to lower blood pressure with birthing mothers. While purifying the ergot-derived substance ergotoxine, Dr. Hofmann had the intuition that this alkaloidal preparation was not homogenous. Dr. Hofmann's intuition proved correct. Upon further analysis ergotoxine turned out to mixture of three different components. During testing by Professor Rothlln at Sandoz. medicinally useful properties were discovered, and from these three substances, two pharmaceutical preparations were developed: the blood-pressure-stabilizing compound Dihydergot and the cognitive enhancer Hydergine. Although Sandoz was initially interested in new bloodpressure medications, they began devoting a great deal of resources into researching Hydergine, after studies started to uncover its cognition-enhancing effects. Hydergine was developed because of its ability to improve peripheral circulation and cerebral function in the control of geriatric disorders, and it has proven to be an effective
Picture: Albert Hoffman by Lucius
24
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Werthmucller
Hydergine
was the first drug to show efficacy as a treatment Alzheimer's disease and dementias.
treatment for these indications. Hydergine the first drug to show efficacy as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease and dementias. Today Hydergine is widely used around the world as a treatment for senility, age-related cognitive decline, and as a treatment for a number of other problems. Extensive research has revealed a plethora of brain-boosting and anti-aging benefits that it has to offer. Hydergine is one of the most tested pharmaceuticals ever developed and it still remains one of Novartis' most important pharmaceutical products. It has proven to be beneficial and nontoxic in numerous studies. Dr. Hofmann has been using Hydergine himself for many years and I suspect that his use of this cognitive enhancer may play a significant role in his extraordinary mental clarity at the age of a hundred. T H E M A N Y BENEFITS OF HYDERGINE Studies indicate that Hydergine has the ability to enhance memory and learning. It improves a range of cognitive abilities, such as concentration and recall, and helps to prevent damage to brain cells from insufficient oxygen. A number of studies even suggest that Hydergine may be able to help reverse existing damage to brain cells. Some of Hydergine's cognitive enhancement may be due to the fact that it increases oxygen and blood flow to the brain because it's a mild vasodilator. It also enhances brain cell metabolism and mitochondrial metabolism. Hydergine's ability to improve cell metabolism inspired a team of Italian researchers to study how it effects the intracellular features of rat mitochondria, structures within cells that produce energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) by respiratory metabolism. In these studies Hydergine not only increased the volume of the mitochondria, it also reduced their size, which is similar to the more efficient mitochondria in younger animals. Hydergine is an extremely powerful antioxidant. When I spoke with life extension researcher Durk Pearson he said, "We suspected that Hydergine might be a powerful antioxidant due to its structure, so we suggested an experiment that was done at NYU. Every time vitamin C is oxidized and then reduced by the iron in redox cycles, you produce a hydroxyl radical. And the hydroxyl radical is tremendously chemically reactive. It's about as reactive as fluorine is at eight hundred degrees Fahrenheit-so it can rip up anything. What they found is that Hydergine was the most powerful antioxidant that they tested." Hydergine stimulates new interconnective growth between neurons. It causes the release
of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is involved in the repair of damaged neurons and the growth of neurons and neurites. According to Pearson, "If you deprive the brain of BDNF the neurites die back and eventually the cell bodies connected to them die. The brain normally produces BDNF, but as you get older you produce less and less. You end up with some nuerites dying back and your brain sort of gets disconnected. The neurons get disconnected from each other." This is an important mechanism by which Hydergine may enhance learning and memory in the elderly. Hydergine mimics the effect of a substance found in the brain called nerve growth factor, which stimulates protein synthesis that results in the growth of new dendrites (tiny tree-like branches at the receiving ends of brain cells). Many neuroscientists believe that intelligence is correlated with the number of interneural connections in the brain. Studies have demonstrated that Hydergine actually increases cortical thickness in the brain through this process and that it also raises levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Studies have shown that Hydergine helps to stabilize brain oxygen levels. If brain oxygen levels are too low then Hydergine raises them, and if they're too high then Hydergine lowers them. This is why some European countries use Hydergine preoperatively in surgery and after strokes, hemorrhages, and heart attacks to gain precious time. It is also sometimes used to gain more time after certain types of accidents, such as drowning, electrocution and drug overdoses. Hydergine reduces deposits of the age-related toxin lipofuscin in the brain and normalizes systolic blood pressure. It has also been shown to reduce symptoms of lethargy and, in some cases, even lower abnormally high levels of cholesterol. Many people report that their brain
for
simply feels more awake and more lucid on Hydergine. Some studies on Hydergine have demonstrated only mild effects, leading some people to believe that it's not very effective. However many European physicians believe that these studies were less dramatic than others simply because the dosages used were too low. The U.S. recommended dose is 3 mg. per day, while the European recommended dose is 9 mg. per day in 3 divided doses. Some people need to take Hydergine for several months before they notice any significant effects. Hydergine is extremely nontoxic and has very few side-effects. Initially, Hydergine may cause some mild nausea, gastric disturbances, and bradycardia. It is contraindicated for people who are allergic to it, who suffer from psychosis, or who have an abnormally slow heartbeat or low blood pressure. Combining Hydergine with other ergot derivatives, or other cognitive enhancers may have a synergistic effect, so you may need to scale down the dosages of all the drugs. One should seek the advice of a physician when combining Hydergine with other cognitive enhancers in excess of 9 mg. per day. Most people do well at dosages of around 3 mg. to 9 mg. per day, in divided doses, with occasional breaks. The most common side effect is stomach upset. This can be avoided by using specially coated (FAS) tablets or by using a sublingual liquid preparation. O T H E R E R G O T - D E R I V E D COGNITIVE ENHANCERS Albert Hofmann's intuition about ergot turned out to be extremely fruitful. This remarkable fungus has proven itself to be a gold mine of medicinal treasures; Hydergine is only one of numerous drugs to be derived from ergot. Some of the other ergot-derived cognitive enhancers include the more potent pharmaceutical bromocriptine and the recently developed pharmaceutical nicergoline. BROMOCRIPTINE Bromocriptine is a dopamine receptor agonist, which activates dopaminergic neurons and mimics the effect of the excitatory neurotransmitter dopamine. It is the most potent of the ergot derivatives and although it is primarily used to treat Parkinson's disease, it also has profound antiaging effects because it enhances dopamine, which tends to decrease significantly with age. It also effects the pituitary gland production of the hormones prolactin and growth hormone (GH) in some very beneficial ways that appear to counteract some of the symptoms of aging.
sept 2006 i a m
Hydergine is one of the most tested pharmaceuticals ever developed and it still remains one of Novartis' most important pharmaceutical products. Bromocriptine inhibits prolactin, which tends to increase with age, and it increases GH secretion, which tends to decrease with age. Although bromocriptine increases GH secretion in healthy individuals with normal GH concentrations, it actually suppresses GH production in people with a condition known as acromegaly, which causes excessive GH production. Studies indicate that bromocriptine does not affect the release of any other anterior pituitary hormones. Prolactin is a single-chain protein hormone, closely related to growth hormone, that stimulates the secretion of milk in women. Bromocriptine's inhibition of this hormone makes it useful as a treatment to help restore ovulation in women. Men also release prolactin during orgasm, and this has the effect of reducing a man's desire for more sex by preventing new erections. Although little research has been done in this area, many people report that orgasms simply come easier on bromocriptine, and it is also known increase fertility. Studies also indicate that bromocriptine is a potent antioxidant and it has been shown to help prevent certain types of breast cancer. Other studies indicate that it suppresses lipogenesis and improves glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, making it a possible treatment for Type-ll diabetes. Another study suggested that bromocriptine alters the hunger regulating mechanism in the brain, which suggests that it may also be useful as a dietary aid. Bromocriptine is more potent than Hydergine and most people do well with a dosage of
I
around 1.25 to 2.50 mg. per day. Common side-effects during initial doses may include nausea, dizziness, and a lowering of blood pressure, although these side-effects tend to dissipate with repeated use. In some cases bromocriptine may cause hypotension or confusion, and it should never be used by pregnant or lactating women without the guidance of a physician. One should also seek the advice of a physician when combining bromocriptine with other ergot derivatives, or other dopamine-enhancing drugs, because they can significantly exaggerate bromocriptine's effects.
that are of vascular origin and other problems of a vascular nature, such as dizziness and auditory problems. It is also used to treat certain eye disorders, platelet aggregability, and arterial hypertension, as well as senile dementias. A recent study in Italy showed that nicergoline can also have a neuroprotective effect. Researchers demonstrated that nicergoline protects cultured neurons against beta-amyloid toxicity, the major protein component of Alzheimer's plaques. Another study in Italy suggested that nicergoline may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of side-effects from other drugs, such as the antipsychotic drug haloperidol. The chronic use of this powerful neuroleptic induces a significant decrease in the activity of the enzymes glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in certain areas of the brain. When nicergoline is co-administered with haloperidol the activity of these enzymes is restored to levels comparable to those observed in control animals. Haloperidol is a very powerful drug, with frequent side-effects, and is used primarily to treat psychosis. The efficacy of nicergoline to restore natural enzyme levels under such extreme pharmacological conditions suggests that this mighty ergot derivative has enormous potential to help restore neurochemical imbalances in the aging brains of healthy individuals. An interesting study in Japan showed that nicergoline increased nerve growth factor in the brains of aged rats, but it had no significant effect in this regard upon the brains of younger animals. Other studies indicate that nicergoline can enhance glutamate re-uptake and protect the brain against a condition where there is too little blood flow called ischaemia. For these reasons it is believed that nicergoline offers protection against neurological disorders that may be due to blood, glucose, or oxygen deprivation.
26
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SEXUAL E N H A N C E M E N T The ergot-derived pharmaceuticals have developed a reputation for sexual enhancement. Many people report aphrodisiaclike effects from Hydergine, bromocriptine, and nicergoline, which is likely due to their enhancement of the excitatory neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Raising dopamine levels is known to increase sexual arousal, but there may be other mechanisms operating as well. According to gerontologist and life extension researcher Ward Dean, M.D., "Anything that improves brain function is probably going to improve sexual functioning." Another libido-increasing, ergot-derived pharmaceutical, cabergoline, has especially interesting properties of sexual enhancement. Like bromocriptine, cabergoline inhibits the production of the hormone prolactin (which is produced by men at the moment of orgasm), only much more so. Its extreme inhibition of prolactin helps to prevent men from losing interest in sex after orgasm and it allows some men to experience multiple orgasms. Some men on cabergoline are able to have numerous orgasms in rapid succession.
HYPERCINE AND ANTIACINC Hydergine and the other ergot-derived cognitive enhancers help to reverse many of the effects of age-related cognitive decline. These remarkable substances help to protect the brain and counteract many of the symptoms of aging- such as difficulty concentrating and memory loss. They are extremely valuable medicines for a wide variety of conditions and they should be an integral part of every serious longevity enthusiast's preventative antiaging program.
NICERCOLINE
Like Hydergine, nicergoline is a vasodilator that improves blood flow to the brain and stimulates the use of oxygen and glucose. It also inhibits blood platelet aggregation and improves blood circulation in the arms, legs, and lungs. Nicergoline does not effect arterial tension, and it sometimes reduces tension in hypertensive patients. It is used to treat migraine headaches
Side effects from nicergoline sometimes include mild nausea and gastric disturbances, dizziness, hot flashes, and hypotension. Less common side effects that may occur at higher doses include agitation, bradycardia, and sweating. Since nicergoline is known to enhance cardiac depressive effects it should never be used concurrently with alpha or beta receptor agonists, like Inderal, and people suffering from myocardial infarction, acute bleeding, or bradycardia should also avoid using nicergoline. For anti-aging preventative purposes most people do well with a dosage of 5 mg. once or twice a day. Nicergoline is also known to heighten the effects of drugs that produce hypotension, such as Hydergine and bromocriptine, so caution is advised if one is combining these drugs.
I I
All I can say is thank you Dr. Hofmann.
References 1. Anderson G.M., Beijer P., Bang A.S., Fenwick M.A., Bunn S.J., Grattan D.R. "Suppression of Prolactininduced STAT5b Signaling and Induction of SOCS mRNA in the Hypothalamic Arcuate Nucleus of the Rat During Late Pregnancy and Lactation." Endocrinology. 2006 Jul 20; [Epub ahead of print], 2. Asai S., Zhao H., Yamashita A.. Jike T., Kunimatsu T„ Nagata T., Kohno T., Ishikawa K.. "Nicergoline Enhances Glutamate Re-Uptake and Protects Against Brain Damage in Rat Global Brain Ischaemia." European Journal Pharmacology, 1999, vol. 383, no. 3. pp. 267-74. 3. Bertoni-Freddari C„ Fattoretti P., Casoli T., Spanga C., Meier-Ruge W. "Morphological Alterations of Synaptic Mitochondria During Aging." The Effect of Hydergine Treatment in the Pharmacology of the Aging Process-Methods of Assessment and Potential Interventions. Editors: Imre Zs-Nagy and Kenichi Kitani, New York Academy of Sciences, 1994. 4. Boula G. "Effects of Dihydroerogotoxine mesylate on aging neurons in vitro" Gerontology, 1978, vol. 24, pp. 66- 70. 5. Branconnier, R. "The Efficacy of the Cerebral Metabolic Enhancers in the Treatment of Senile Dementia." Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 1983, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 212-20. 6. Cahn J.. Borzeix M„ "Aging and Hypertension as Risk Membranes." Aging, 1983, vol. 23. pp. 413425. 7. Caraci F., Chisari M., Frasca G., Canonico P.L., Battaglia A., Calafiore M., Battaglia G„ Bosco P., Nicoletti F., Copani A., Sortino M.A. "Nicergoline, a drug used for age-dependent cognitive impairment, protects cultured neurons against beta-amyloid toxicity." Brain Res. 2005 Jun 14; vol. 1047, no. 1, pp. 30-7. 8. Copeland, R.L., Jr., Bhattacharyya, A.K., Aulakh. C.S., Pradham, S.N. "Behavioral and Neurochemical Effects of Hydergine in Rats." Archives of International Pharmacodynamics, 1981, vol. 252, pp. 113-23. 9. Cucinotta D., DeLeo D., Frattola L., Trabucchi M., Parnetti L. "Dihydroergokryptine vs. placebo in Dementia of Alzheimer Type: Interim Study After a One year Follow-Up." Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 1996, vol. 22, pp. 169-180. 10. Debono. "Bromocryptine and Dopamine Receptor Stimulation." British Clinical Pharmacolology. 1976,
vol. 3, pp. 977- 982. 11. Ditch M. "An Ergot Preparation in the Treatment of Cerebrovascular Disorders in the Geriatric Patient." Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 1971, vol. 3, pp. 208- 217. 12. Emmenegger, H„ Meier-Ruge, W. "The Actions of Hydergine on the Brain." Pharmacology, 1968, vol. 1, pp. 65-78. 13. Exton-Smith, A.N., et al. "Clinical Experiences with Ergot Alkaloids." Aging, 1983, vol. 23, pp. 323. 14. Hindmarch, I., Parrott, A.C., Lanza, M. "The Effects of an Ergot Alkaloid Derivative (Hydergine) on Aspects of Psychomotor Performance, Arousal, and Cognitive Processing Ability." The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, November-December 1979, pp. 72631. 15. Hughes, J.R., Williams, J.G., Currier, R.D. "Am Ergot Alkaloid Preparation (Hydergine) in the Treatment of Dementia: A Critical Review of the Clinical literature." Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 1976, vol. 24, pp. 490-97. 16. Hollister, L.E. "Ergoloid Mesylates and the Treatment of Senile Denetias." Perspectives in Psychpharmacology: A Collection of Papers in Honor Of Earl Usdin. 1988, New York, Alan R. Liss, pp. 61320. 17. Hofmann A. LSD: My Problem Child, published by MAPS (The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), 2005. pp. 45-6. 18. 11 iff7 L., DuBoulay G.H., Marshall J., et al. "Effect of nicergoline on cerebral blood flow." Journal Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, 1977, vol. 40, pp. 746-7. 19. Mason, R. "Ergot-derived smart drugs (Hydergine, Bromocriptine, Nicergoline)." www.smartdrugs.net/ias-Hydergine-Nicergoline.htm 20. Morgenthaler J., Dean W. Smart Drugs & Nutrients, Smart Publications, 1990, pp. 117-124. 21. Ogawa M. "Pharmacological treatments of cerebellar ataxia." Cerebellum. 2004, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 107-11. 22. Olin J., Schneider L., Novit A, Luczak S. "Hydergine for dementia." Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2001, vol. 2, CD000359. 23. Pearson, D., Shaw S., Life Extension: A Practical Scientific Approach. Warner books, New York, 1982. 24. Pilkowska E., Jakubowska T.. Witkowska K., Kulczycki J. "Nicergoline in the treatment of patients after a mild ischemic stroke. Neurol Neurochir Pol, 2002, Nov-Dec, vol. 36, no. 6, pp. 1075-85.
25. Rao B.. Norris J. "A Double-Blind Investigation of Hydergine in the Treatment of Cerebrovascular Insufficiency in the Elderly." John Hopkins Medical Journal, 1971, vol. 130, no. 9 pp. 317- 323. 26. Roman G. "Perspectives in the treatment of vascular dementia." Drugs Today (Bare), 2000, Sep, vol. 36, no. 9, pp. 641-53. 27. Speigel R. "A Controlled Long-Term Study with Hydergine, in Healthy Elderly Volunteers." Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 1983, 31, no. 9, pp. 549- 555. 28. Takeshi N„ Nobuhiko S„ Shoei F„ Ichiro A., Yukitsuka K., "Repeated injections of nicergoline increase the nerve growth factor level in the aged rat brain." Japanese Journal Pharmacology, 1998, vol. 76, no. 3, pp. 321-323. 29. Thompson, T.L. II, Filley, C.M., Mitchell, W.D., et al. "Lack of Efficacy of Hydergine in Petients with Alzheimer's Disease." New England Journal of Medicine, 1990, vol. 323, pp 445-8. 30. Weil, C., ed. "Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology of Hydergine." Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. Springer-Verlag, New York, 1978. 31. Werneke U, Turner T, Priebe S. "Complementary medicines in psychiatry: review of effectiveness and safety." Br J Psychiatry, 2006, Feb, vol. 188, pp. 10921. 32. Yanagisawa N, Kanazawa I, Goto I, et al, "Seven year follow-up study of bromocriptine therapy for Parkinson's disease." European Neurology, 1994: 34 (suppl. 3): pp. 29-35. 33. Yesavage, J. A., Hollister, L.E.. Burian, E. "Dihydroergotoxine: 6-Mg versus 3-Mg Dosage in the Treatment of Senile Dementia. Preliminary Report." Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 1979, vol. 27, no. 2, pp.80-82. 34. Yoshikawa, M., Hirai, S., Aizaawa, T„ Kuroiwa, Y., Goto, F., Sofue. I,, Toyokura, Y., Yamamura, H., Iwasaki, Y. "A Dose Response Study with Dihydroergotoxine Mesylate in Cerebrovascular Disturbances." Journal of the American Geriatric Society, 1983, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 1-7. 35. Vairetti M., Ferrigno A., Canonico P.L., Battaglia A., Berte F., Richelmi P. "Nicergoline reverts haloperidol-induced loss of detoxifying-enzyme activity." Eur J Pharmacol, 2004, Nov 28, vol. 505, no. 1-3, pp. 121-5.
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sept 2006 i a m
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E U R O P E A N 5-OCIFTY O F ANTrAftINt'3 MEDICINE
16th Conj
Andropa 2 8 i a m Sept 2006
ESMM
E U R O P E A N SOCIETY O F
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a n t i a g i n g medicine
Dear Colleagues!
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On behalf of the Local Organizing Comittee we wish to welcome you to the First International Congress of the European of Anti-Aging and Preventive Medicine. This Congress will he taking place in the unique Imperial Palace Conference "Hofhurg" in Vienna/Austria.
Society Center
The promise of longevity, controversial as it is, is already a talking point amongst the young, the aged of the future. They are looking towards medicine for answers and indicators. Current demographic developments in Europe require answers from medicine and politics. This conference undertakes to provide those answers, by bringing together the very best scientists in current anti-aging global research. Vienna, at the very heart of this new expanding Europe, with its role ill historical anti-aging science and its significance as founding city of ESAAM, its unparalleled civic beauty will offer every participant an outstanding conference experience. The anniversaries qfSignnmd Freud and W. A. Mozart will guarantee an exceptional social programme. Luropean Society of Anti-Aging Mcdicine ESAAM C.A. Bartoletti, M. Klentze, S. Tresguerrcs
Austrian Anti-Aging Society Local Organizing Committee J.C. Hubcr, M.M. Metka. W. Clemcnti
Key Lectures Aging Theories - Why Aging? > G. Wick, S. Palacios, K. Billner, J.C. Huber Effects of Testosterone [> H. Lunenfeld, A. Milewicz, E. Plas, A. Yassin. Ch. Kratzik Diagnosis of Aging t> J.C. Huber, A. Wolf. E. Roth, C. Zouboulis Genetics and Polymorphism D> J.C Huber. D. Her ring ion. M. Klentze, E. Chin. D. Skeen General Management of Aging O K Nagy, B. Ludvik, Th. St idnig, E. Baulieu International Menopause Society t> A O. Mueck, M. Gambacciani, D.W. Sturdee, M. Birkhduser Gender Specifity in Aging and Preventive Medicine D> H. Concin, J. Fischer. P. Pieischmann, S. Semsroth Aesthetic Medicine t> H. Piza, S. Schuller-Petrovic, K. Russe-Wilflingseder, C.A. Bartoletti. H. Hoflehner X S
1st European Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine & 16th Congress on Menopause Andropause Anti-Aging October 18"' - 21st, 2006, Vienna • Austria • Hofburg Congress Center Congress Office & Travel Agency AUSTROPA INTERCONVENTION, Austrian Travel Agency Corp., Mrs. Kristin Volmer, Friedrichstrasse 7, A - 1 0 1 0 Vienna • Austria Tel. + 4 3 1 588 0 0 518, Fax + 4 3 1 5 8 8 00 5 2 0 , E-Mail: a n t i a g i n g 2 0 0 6 @ i n t e r c o n v e n t i o n . a t , Homepage: www.antiaging-vienna2006.at
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In the third of three articles on overcoming age-related mental decline, "Improving Your Mind", we look at how brain function can be enhanced with the use of Nootropics
What's so smart about Nootropics? Nootropics (from the Greek meaning 'acting on the mind') is a term coined by the pharmacologist Cornelius Giurgea in the 1970s to describe the first substance found to have beneficial effects in the treatment of age-related failing memory and concentration. That substance was Piracetam. Not only did it provide a successful treatment for the problem, it was also found to have only negligible side effects. Since then, a number of other Nootropic drugs have been discovered. The specific characteristics common to all Nootropic drugs include: â&#x20AC;˘ Enhancement of concentration, which in turn leads to improved learning and memory â&#x20AC;˘ Protection of the brain against various physical and chemical injuries (e.g. barbiturates, scopalamine) â&#x20AC;˘ Lack of the usual pharmacology found with other psychotropic drugs (e.g. sedation, stimulation, restlessness, etc.) and possessing very few and only minimal side effects and very low toxicity. (1) One of the primary differences between Nootropics and other 'memory enhancers' is that Nootropics have a positive effect upon the brain's Corpus Callosum. This is the area of the brain that joins the two hemispheres, linking the logical side of the brain with the creative side of the brain, allowing the user to draw on greater brain potential. As we age, the nervous system deteriorates in large part due to an oxidation process. This process destroys brain cells and forms free radicals that cause further damage in the brain. Nootropics deactivate free radicals and repair some of the damage already caused by, for example, stimulating dormant 'communication chemicals' within the brain. Nootropics encourage the building of additional neural connections in the brain. Neurones (brain cells) are
connected to thousands of other neurones, which together form a huge neural net. The more connections you have the easier it is for one neurone to send information to another neurone, enhancing the overall functioning of your brain. Unlike familiar 'brain revitalisers', such as caffeine and amphetamines, Nootropics only act within the brain. The user, therefore, does not experience the unpleasant side-effects associated with traditional stimulants that affect the whole body by acting on the entire nervous system. Let's now take a closer look at some specific Nootropics, starting with the first, Piracetam, followed by some more recently discovered Nootropics that are now widely used, Aniracetam , Pramiracetam, Oxiracetam, Vinpocetine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine.
Leading Nootropics
suffering only from 'middle-aged forgetfulness'. (3) In addition, a study of elderly outpatients suffering from common 'age-associated memory impairment' showed significant improvement in memory consolidation and recall for those treated with Piracetam. (4) Piracetam manages to improve brain function and stimulate the central nervous system without any toxicity or addictive properties. In a study, rats treated chronically with 100 to 1,000 mg/kg orally for 6 months and dogs treated with as much as 10 gm/kg orally for one year did not show any toxic effect. (5) The effect of Piracetam can be increased if taken with DMAE, Centrophenoxine, Coline or Hydergine. When Coline and Pracetam are taken together there is a synergistic effect that brings about a greater improvement in memory than the sum of each individual benefit.
Piracetam Aniracetam Piracetam has been used successfully to treat alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal syndrome in animals and humans. It has brought improvement, or slowed deterioration, in 'senile involution' dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Piracetam has improved recovery from aphasia (speech impairment) after a stroke, and restored various functions (use of limbs, speech, EEG, state of consciousness) in people suffering from acute and chronic cerebral ischaemia (decreased brain blood flow).
Aniracetam is an analogue of Piracetam, purported to improve memory recall, reaction and detail. Like many of Piracetam's analogues, less Aniracetam is required (milligram dose per pound of body weight). But like Piracetam, Aniracetam has been found to be virtually non-toxic, with very few side effects and contraindications. Compared to Piracetam, Aniracetam has a more potent AMPA receptor enhancing effect, resulting in better focus and concentration.
"Nootropics have a positive effect upon the brain's Corpus Callosum"
Numerous tests have proven that Aniracetam is one of the most potent Nootropics currently available. But it does not just improve levels of learning and memory, Aniracetam is also considered to be a drug that can modulate the brain acetylcholine system. In patients with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and cerebral infarction, Aniracetam reduces anxiety, depression and the incidence of sleep disorders.
More importantly, for the purposes of this article, Piracetam has been shown to improve the alertness and IQ in elderly psychiatric patients suffering from 'mild diffuse cerebral impairment'. (2) However, its benefits are not confined to those already suffering from mental decline. It has also improved the mental performance of 'aging, non-deteriorated individuals'
Studies have also reported positive results when Aniracetam is used to treat other mental problems, such as post-stroke depression (6) and sleep disorders. (7) In addition, Aniracetam has a beneficial affect on the body as a whole, with improvements shown in users' immune systems, increasing resistance to infection and generating a sept 2006 i a m
feeling of health and well-being, particularly in the elderly.
effective in improving attention span, learning capacity, memory, time-space orientation and overall mental performance.
Pramiracetam Another analogue of Piracetam, with a potency of up to 7 times greater, Pramiracetam is used to boost memory and learning capacity. Pramiracetam is a mild anti-depressant with a sedative effect, that does not influence the activity of the autonomous nervous system. When administered to patients suffering from age-related mild to moderate cerebral decline, Pramiracetam has been shown to be
to reverse the 'light-headed/spaced out' feeling experienced by users of Valium, restoring a normal vigilance electroencephalogram while maintaining the anti-anxiety effects of the Valium.
Oxiracetam Vinpocetine Oxiracetam is the closest derivative of Piracetam, and is used in the pharmaceutical industry as the standard by which all Nootropics are judged. With greater potency than Piracetam, tests exhibit an improvement in memory significantly greater than a corresponding dose of Piracetam. Oxiracetam is also reported
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Vinpocetine has been shown to be a cerebral metabolic enhancer and a selective cerebral vasodilator (one which increases blood flow only to brain regions where it is compromised). Tests have demonstrated that Vinpocetine enhances oxygen and glucose uptake from blood by brain neurons, and increases neuronal ATP energy production even under hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions.8,9 Research using both animals and humans has shown
â&#x20AC;˘
Although the term smart-drug now seems to be applied to anything that "acts on the mind" the original smart drugs were piracetam and aniracetam. These unique substances act to improve communication across the corpus callosum, the connection of nerves between the two brain hemispheres. These smart-drugs help to free the mind of brain fog and make things happen- to get things done and get on with life. Specifically, the clinical trials indicate that piracetam and aniracetam can aid all of the following: DYSLEXIA DOWNS SYNDROME ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER AUTISM SHORT-TERM MEMORY MOTION SICKNESS WELL-BEING BRAIN ENERGY INTELLIGENCE
i a m sept 2006
To order call 1-866-800-4677 For more information about smart drugs and the other nootropics available from IAS go to:
www.antiaging-systems.com Subject to IAS terms and conditions- restrictions may apply in some countries; S&H charges not included
Vinpocetine to restore impaired brain carbohydrate/energy metabolism.10,11 The fact that Vinpocetine acts as a vasodilator (improves brain blood flow) only in the areas that require treating, has lead to it being used to improve hearing (particularly tinnitus), eyesight and even alleviate problems related to the menopause. Clinical research indicates that Vinpocetine has a positive effect upon damaged areas of the brain and raises brain energy levels. Vinpocetine is also known to be an anti-oxidant, and in this way may further protect the brain from aging. But perhaps most importantly, Vinpocetine can protect against brain arteriosclerosis, which if left unchecked, can lead to strokes.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine Research has demonstrated that Acetyl L Carnitine combined with Alpha Lipoic Acid, a fatty acid, could delay the ageing process by increasing energy levels.
Acetyl -L Carnitine was found to nourish brain cells, protect from free radicals and stress, increase blood flow, reduce depression, improve cognitive abilities and increase memory in the elderly. 12 As such, Acetyl -L Carnitine is being used in high doses and in combination with other Nootropics to treat senile dementias.
So, for accuracy and to avoid any confusion, it's best to avoid all talk of Smart Drugs and stick to the correct, scientific term, Nootropics.
Acetyl -L Carnitine has also been shown to help remove lipofuscin (a build-up of 'debris' in the body's brain cells over the years) causing users to discover that their short-term memory improves and their attention to detail is enhanced.
Courses of different Nootropics can be taken in parallel to produce a combination ideally suited to the user. However, the Piracetambased Nootropics subtly amplify neuronal
Clinical trials have revealed that Acetyl -L Carnitine increases blood oxygen, inhibits oxygen starvation, restores blood pressure and is showing a possible beneficial effect on sperm mobility. In addition, recent observations demonstrate that Acetyl L Carnitine may have beneficial results on those suffering strokes, Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome and various neuropathies.
A smart future
Recent developments in the field of neuroscience mean that we now have a good understanding of the way the brain works. And, given that there are supplements available for just about every aspect of our physical wellbeing, it is a natural progression to look for 'boosters' for the brain. The field of Nootropics is a relatively new and developing one. As conclusive research grows, and familiarity with Nootropics increases, it seems likely that Nootropics will become as commonplace a part of our medical armoury as vitamins. One obstacle to overcome is the mistaken belief, by some of those less well-acquainted with Nootropics, that Nootropics are psychedelic, recreational drugs, or worse, addictive and harmful, like heroin or amphetamines. The damage was probably done when, someone coined the frivolous term 'Smart Drugs', which sounds more like hippie slang that a serious medical breakthrough. All some people need to hear are the words 'mind' and 'drugs' and they're wanting to ban them! Nootropics, of course, are wellresearched and relatively harmless.
"It seems likely that Nootropics will become as commonplace a part of our medical armoury as vitamins"
electrical excitability. Consequently, caution must be observed as they tend to increase the activity of other drugs taken simultaneously that modify neural activity. This in turn may increase both the positive action of the other drug, as well as possibly lead to occasional over-stimulation effects. Even caffeine may be sufficiently stimulating to bring on 'Nootropic over-stimulation' especially in those very sensitive to caffeine. As a rule, it is wise to reduce the dosage of each component when combining Nootropics. We all want to be 'brainier' - to be mentally agile, have a quick memory and generally enjoy a state of heightened intelligence. But using Nootropics without careful thought won't turn you into Einstein. It may even make you ill. It is advisable, therefore, that before you make a choice of which Nootropic(s) you require, to gather as much information as you can. Then consider the strengths and weaknesses of each drug, as well as what you hope to gain from it. Using Nootropics is not a matter to be taken lightly, but if you do your homework, then you may discover the Nootropic, or combination of Nootropics, that will enhance the working of you brain and utilise at least some small part of the vast un-tapped potential of your mind.
1 Giurgea, C. (1973) "The 'Nootropic' Approach to the Pharmacology of the Integrative Activity of the Brain" Cond Reflex 8, 108-15. 2 Chouinard, G. et al (1983) "Piracetam in Elderly Psychiatric Patients with Mild Diffuse Cerebral Impairment" Psychopharmacol. 3Mindus, P. et al (1976) "Piracetam-lnduced Improvement of Mental Performance" Acta Psychiat Scand 54, 150-60. 4 DeBerdt, W. (1994) "Interaction between Psychological and Pharmacological Treatment in Cognitive Impairment" Life Sci 55, 2057-66. 5 Tacconi, M. & Wurtman, R. (1986) "Piracetam: Physiological Disposition and Mechanism of Action" in Advance in Neurology vol.43 S.Fahn et al, ed. N.Y.: Raven Press. 6 Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2001 Jan;68(1):65-9. Aniracetam restores motivation reduced by satiation in a choice reaction task in aged rats. Nakamura K, Kurasawa M. 7 Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2001 Nov;158(2):205-12. Antidepressant-like effects of aniracetam in aged rats and its mode of action. Nakamura K, Tanaka Y. 8 Karpaty, E. & Szporny, L. (1976) "General and Cerebral Haemodynamic Activity of Ethyl Apovincaminate" Arzneim Forsch (Drug Research) 28, 1908 - 12. 9 Szobor, A. & Klein, M. (1976) "Ethyl Apovincaminate Therapy in Neurovascular Disease" Arzneim Forsch (Drug Research) 28, 1984-89. 10 Vamosi B. et al (1976) "Comparative Study of the Effect of Ethyl Apovincaminate and Xanthinol Nicotinate in Cerebrovascular Diseases" Arzneim Forsch (Drug Research) 28, 1980-84. 11 Biro, K. et al (1976) "Protective Activity of Ethyl Apovincaminate on Ischaemic Anoxia of the Brain" Arzneim Forsch (Drug Research) 28, 1 9 1 8 - 2 0 . 12 Liu J, Head E, Gharib AM, Yuan W.
(2002) References:
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Cancer danger for women who sleep with the light on According to scientists at the American National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, women who sleep with the light on or stay up late at night could be at a greater risk of breast cancer. They suggest that exposure to too much artificial light at night disrupts hormones and increases the chance of developing breast tumours. In particular, those who work night shifts are thought to be most at risk of cancer. This study may help explain the rising levels of breast cancers in western countries, where the risk of developing cancer is five times higher than underdeveloped countries. In Britain for example, cancer in women affects one in nine at some point in their lives, with more than 1,000 dying from the disease each month. The research suggests that exposure at night to artificial light could stimulate the growth of human breast tumours by suppressing the levels of melatonin. It is well known that melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland at night and helps to regulate a person's sleeping and waking cycles. Light, however, stops its production. Dr David Blask, a lead researcher in the study, said it was "'the first proof that light is a risk factor for cancer." He added: "Evidence is emerging that disruption of a person's body clock is associated with cancer in humans, and that interference with internal timekeeping can tip the balance in favour of tumor development. If the link between tumor growth and light is confirmed by further studies, it could result in the introduction of a change in working patterns. Lighting manufacturers could also be forced
34 I i a m
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to develop products which are more natural and similar to normal daylight." Professor George Brianard of the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, added: "Humans evolved on a planet without electric light over thousands of thousands of generations. The body is designed to be alert and awake during the daytime hours and to sleep at night. Now we have a 24-7 society that isn't in harmony with our biological design." [Ed.- I'm sure this is no surprise to Dr. Pierpaoli, because for many years he has been telling people about the rotation theory of aging and the cyclicity of life and its dependence upon melatonin production]. Rise in rate of multiple births may be tied to dairy case According to a recent study, women who eat dairy products appear to be five times as likely to give birth to twins as those who do not, one explanation may be that dairy products come from cows injected with synthetic growth hormone. Dr. Gary Steinman, an assistant clinical professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, reached that conclusion by looking at the medical records of 1,042 mothers who were vegans consuming no dairy products and comparing them with those of mothers who regularly ate dairy products. His findings appeared in the May 2006 issue of The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, which summarized state that eating dairy products increases blood levels of insulin-like growth hormone, (IGF) and it is this increased hormone level that is associated with increased rates of multiple ovulation. A study published in 2000 cited in the findings, showed that vegan women had concentrations of IGF that were 13% lower than those in women who regularly consumed dairy products. However Dr. Steinman said he was not prepared to use these findings as the basis for advising women about diet before pregnancy. Insufficient diet in general lowers the rate of twin births, but Dr. Steinman said he had found evidence that the
rate was directly related to levels of IGF. "The more IGF the more the ovary is stimulated to release additional eggs at ovulation," he said. Animal studies, in rats and mice as well as in cattle, have convincingly demonstrated that increased serum levels of IGF are associated with increased ovulation. All cow's milk has bovine growth hormone in it, naturally produced by the animal's pituitary gland, but many dairy farmers inject their cattle with recombinant bovine somatotropin, a synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone. This increases the cows size and milk production, but it has another effect: cows with higher growth hormone levels produce more twins. Yet the consumption of any dairy products increases blood levels of insulin-like growth hormone in humans, and consuming milk from cows that have been injected with synthetic growth hormone can have a correspondingly larger effect. About one-third of American dairy cows are in herds where the hormone is used, said a spokesman for Monsanto, the only manufacturer of synthetic bovine growth hormone in the USA. There is additional evidence, for example in 2003, the United States had 3 sets of twins per 100 live births â&#x20AC;&#x201D; more than twice the rate of Britain, where growth hormone injection is banned. (Triplets and higher multiple births raise this figure to 3.18). Dr. Steinman suggested that one significant reason for the large difference was the recombinant bovine somatotropin. "I am not claiming to be the first to show that variations in dietary amounts can affect the twinning rate," Dr. Steinman said. "What is new is specifying what in the diet may have this effect and how." [Ed.- Here seems to be further evidence how agribusiness is affecting our lives. It has always been a dichotomy to me that some medicines, particularly animal hormones, are clinically recognised and used in medicine to affect the human condition. Yet somehow when they are injected into animals and the humans digest them as foodthen they supposedly miraculously lose their medical powers!]
Q: Recently I received the April/ May 2006 issue of your wonderful Antiaging Magazine. I hope to quote you on some of your carnosine comments in my book with your kind permission. I do wish there were more research on carnosine and cross linking outside of the lens of the eye. This is such a promising anticross-linker. If only my good friend, Johan Bjorksten, where alive today to see what is being done in his field of expertise! However, I'd like to discretely reveal some weaknesses in your article starting on page 24 concerning "pyritinol". Here hydrogen peroxide is described as a free radical- it's not, rather it's a weak oxidant. However, in the presence of hydroxyl radicals, it can react and form powerful free radicals as byproducts. Then on page 25, you imply that hydroxyl radicals can cause stroke or brain trauma, the more likely radical for stroke, brain trauma and ischemia is the superoxide radical. This is often the case since the lifespan of the hydroxyl radical is measured in nano seconds. A nano-second lifespan means that hydroxyl radicals will react with the nearest available molecule which is often water. The byproducts thus generated will have long enough lifespans and chemical energy to react with biological materials to produce stroke, ischemia, etc. I studied these effects at Pharmacia in Uppsala, Sweden. We found that under special lab conditions, hydroxyl radicals can react directly with biological materials if a concentrated and powerful beam of gamma radiation is focused on them. Further on page 25 you mention hypochlorous acid. The anti-bacterial effect of this solution is from chlorine dioxide, symbol CI02, which is a gas and an extremely powerful oxidant. As any organic chemist could tell you, chlorine dioxide gas is in equilibrium with hypochlorite in an aqueous solution. The equilibrium is shifted strongly towards the hypochlorite ion,
and therefore, only tiny amounts of chlorine dioxide gas escape to the air. This accounts for the "swimming pool" smell of this solution. As tiny amounts escape to the air, the equilibrium shifts more towards chlorine dioxide and more gas is formed. Chlorine dioxide is an incredibly powerful oxidant similar in reactivity to perchlorate and permanganate. All three of these can have nasty consequences in biological systems. Perhaps I can help contribute to a future edition of the Antiaging Magazine to put the record straight about the effects of free radicals and which ones are the most dangerous etc? Dr. Rich Lippman A: Thank you Dr. Lippman for your comments, indeed we would be pleased to place your article about free radicals into a future issue of the Antiaging Magazine. Q: I have been using Armour thyroid extract for several years (30mg./ day) with extremely good results. But I have heard of the practice of prescribed "breaks" in the medication, and have scoured the internet for any papers, information, or guidance in this regard. My health and my health decisions are mine, solely mine, have been since I was in my late teens. Could you point me toward some information with respect to this issue, no liability on your part presumed or implied? A: It is believed to be generally good practice with most types of medications, particularly hormones to give occasion breaks or alterations to the patterns and dosages etc.
Thyroid is a hormone that is particularly prone to potential "down regulation" of natural thyroid production. In other words, over doing the supplementation can cause permanent lack of production of natural thyroid. However, this is more rare when it comes to the natural product you are using (i.e. Armour) as compared to the synthetics which only contain T3 or T4 etc. I do remember Marios Kyriazis, M.D., writing a piece about why differing/ uneven supplementation (for all supplements- not just thyroid) may be beneficial and gave a strong scientific argument with references, although he told me personally that there wasn't definitive clinical proof for it. That was published in an early 2000 edition of "the Journal of Antiaging Medicine" which is now called the " Rejuvenation Research." Actually, while I think about it I may ask him to write on that subject for a future article in the Antiaging Magazine! There are physicians who believe the best doses of thyroid are the ones that are just under the point where symptoms such as heart palpitations appear, however this is certainly not good practice for self administration. A regular check of pulse and body temperature is easier and preferred by most, although as Dr. Ward Dean is always fond of saying "we should treat the patient not the blood test." As a rough guide, in terms of natural thyroid such as Armour, 5-grains or 300mg. is considered complete replacement. In other words if you had no thyroid that would be a typical dose employed, your dose of 30mg. is a long way from that. Perhaps I can direct you to an excellent article about thyroid, written by Rick Wilkinson, M.D. which appeared in the Summer 2005 v5 i5 Antiaging Magazine?
Send your questions, letters & comments to: editor@antiaging-magazine.com
s e p i 2006
i a m
35
interview
Bariatric medicine the science behind weight loss
A A M : "Dr. Bruner. I would like to thank you so much for your time todayto share your thoughts with the readers of the Antiaging Magazine. Perhaps 1 should start by asking you to please tell us about your experience and your credentials?" DB: I am a second-generation physician who attended Howard University College of Medicine, which was my father's alma mater. My internship and residency training was in the field of internal medicine. I am a diplomat of the American Board of Bariatric Physicians and the American Board of Anti-aging Medicine. I was the past president of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) and also hold the honor of being a Fellow of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians. My practice, which includes both Bariatric and anti-aging medicine, is located in Arlington, Virginia. A A M : "What was it that made you specifically interested in the field of Bariatric medicine?" [Ed.- weight control]. DB: My passion for Bariatric medicine originates from my personal battle with obesity. There was a strong paternal history of obesity; however I did not have a serious weight issue until the time of my internship and residency. Over the course of my internship and first few months of residency, I gained 70 pounds. The combination of sleep deprivation, lack of physical activity, proper water intake, consumption of hospital along with vending machine food, living in expandable clothing (scrubs) led to my weight explosion! But I had the good fortune to meet a Bariatric physician who was a member of the ASBP and was gracious enough to employ me in his practice. With his assistance along with the educational courses sponsored by the ASBP. I learned how to manage my metabolic problem of insulin resistance. 1 have been successfully maintaining my weight loss for the past 20 years and helping others to achieve success in modifying their metabolic risk factors through weight loss gives me great joy each day. A A M : "I imagine that with the growing rates of obesity to be found in nearly all parts of the world today that this worries you?"
An interview with Denise Bruner, M.D 36 i a m sept 2006
interview DB: Yes, today over 60% of Americans are either overweight or obese. One need only to observe people walking down the street to see that almost every other person has some degree of a weight problem. I am also dismayed to see the growing number of children who are also affected. Until 10 years ago this problem seemed confined to the States. As 1 travel throughout the world. 1 see that the increased availability of fast and processed foods through Americanization, the abundance of sugary snacks and a more sedentary lifestyle has resulted in the exponential increase adult and children's waistlines. The rate of overweight and obesity in American children has doubled over the past 20 years and currently 1 in 5 children in Europe are overweight. Obesity is associated with a myriad of diseases and disabilities which include: metabolic syndrome. type-Il diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemias, arthritis, cancer, sleep apnea, stroke, steatohepatitis, PCOS, infertility, depression, and premature death. When I attended medical school, type-II diabetes was also known as adult onset diabetes. Not now. The rise in incidence of type-II diabetes is directly correlated to the rise in incidence of obesity. We are now diagnosing children aged 3 and older with type-II diabetes! The WHO projects that the global prevalence of diabetics will increase from 171 million in 2000 to 366 million by 2030. AAM: "So the $64 Billion question is- what can be done to help counteract this trend?" DB: I think we are talking about 2 separate strategies. The first is treatment of those who are already overweight or obese and the second one is prevention. The treatment portion involves helping patients achieve and maintain a weight loss that successfully ameliorates their metabolic risk factors. This entails prescribing a food plan that addresses specific metabolic needs and is practical for an individual's lifestyle. Elimination of the "white" things, like sugar, rice, bread, and potatoes is a part of all of my food plans. Regular physical activity, i.e. 5 days per week is also critical, but again it must be practical for that person. You cannot expect a person to regularly spend 20-30 minutes traveling to an exercise facility and then exercise for 1 hour. Convenience ensures compliance. It is also important to stress the simplicity of adding activities in one's daily life. A simple example of this would be taking a 15 minute walking break every 2 hours rather than sitting at the computer for 4 continuous hours. Drinking at least 1.5 liters of water daily and minimize consumption of those diet sodas. Adding prescription appetite suppressants can certainly be a helpful adjunct in Bariatric treatment provided that the components of a food plan and activity are being implemented. The preventive side is
genesis of our ability to decrease this growing obesity epidemic in our children. We must start with the family unit and encourage the parents to serve as positive examples, so that their children can emulate their behaviors. Encourage the children to be physically active by having family activities and not just play computer games. Work with the schools systems to offer healthy not obesigenic lunches for children. Remember not to use food as a reward for good behaviors. Offer fruit not fruit juices for snacks.
in a clinical trial in combination with phentermine. The results look promising. Xenical速 blocks fat absorption when the food consumed has a fat percentage greater than 30%. It is analogous to using the drug, antabuse, in alcoholics...definitely aversive conditioning. I use it primarily in the maintenance phase, because it helps to keep patients on their food plan especially when in social gatherings. Many of my patients have metabolic syndrome, so I use metformin to help improve their insulin resistance.
AAM: "Indeed. Can 1 ask you what kinds of patients come to you and what are they looking for in the way of help?"
AAM: "How do you decide on the combination, or how one particular program may be more preferable for one patient over another?"
DB: Patients come for varying amounts of weight loss and some just to help them consume a healthier diet. They are basically looking for tools to help them sustain lifestyle changes that improve their quality of life and their longevity. The patient is questioned regarding weight and nutritional intake, activity level, any medications either OTC or prescribed, allergies, family, medical, surgical, sexual and psychological history and their personal health objectives. With this information along with laboratory assessments and physical examination, I can design a personalized program for that individual. AAM: "Could you please describe some of the most useful nutrients and drugs, which in your experience have been the most helpful for your patients?" DB: The most nutrients I find most useful in my practice are as follows: L-carnitine, CLA, chromium, CoQ 10, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, vanadium, alpha lipoic acid, zinc, calcium magnesium, multivitamin, B complex especially pyridoxine, pyridoxal-5phosphate, B12, folic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, taurine, 5-HTP, tyrosine, phenylalanine and Rhodiola Rosea. In terms of pharmaceutical agents, phentermine is a Norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor which helps to decrease appetite. Reductil速 [Ed.Sibutramine] is both a norepinephrine and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitortherefore it should help with both appetite and cravings. I prefer using phentermine in my practice as there is a great deal of flexibility with dosing and has a rapid onset of action as compared with at times a 4 week period before the effect of Reductil is noted. Phentermine is affordable as contrasted with the expense of Reductil and works well in people who have issues with their overactive appetite. In my experience and discussion with my colleagues. Reductil seems to work in only about 20% of those for whom it is prescribed. Bupropion has been helpful with decreasing appetite and cravings. Topiramate is useful in those with binge eating disorders and has been involved
DB: My father who was a very wise physician always told me to listen to the patient and they will guide you in discovering solutions for their treatment. In my practice, I spend a lot of time gathering information and listening to what components of other programs have and have not been successful for that patient. One of the first things that I do is a body composition analysis via bio-electrical impedance. This test gives me a relatively accurate weight loss goal for that patient. If the patient has unrealistic weight loss goals at the outset, the patient is setting himself or herself up for certain failure. At the outset, we agree on the goal. If a patient has gone through a variety of programs that did not involve the use of any appetite suppressants, but was fairly compliant with food and activity plans, but complains of hunger and or cravings, I would prescribe one of the appetite suppressants. If a patient has metabolic syndrome, I would recommend a food plan that concentrates on lean proteins, vegetables and fruits with low-glycemic indices and restricting fat to no more than 30% of total calories. Many patients in their attempt to lose weight think that the fewer calories that they consume, the greater the weight loss, so it is important to make certain that the patient is consuming the proper amount of calories especially in the protein category. People tend to automatically decrease their protein consumption because they equate protein with fat, and through protein deprivation produce sarcopenia. Also when the body perceives starvation, its survival mechanisms kick in to slow down your metabolism, so it is important for many people who have done this in the past, to eat 5-6 small meals per day. AAM: "I can appreciate that weight loss/ control is a complex area, just how much do genes in your experience influence one's size and proportions?" DB: Genetics are in part responsible for about 40% of obesity that we see, and the
sept 2006 i a m
interview environment is responsible for the remainder. In the April 2006 issue of Science Magazine, researchers reported the first study to actually identify a specific genetic factor in obesity, a sequence variation close to the INSIG2 gene. So for those of us like myself who had a strong genetic predisposition for obesity, controlling food intake and regular physical exercise are crucial components necessary to modifying one's overall genetic predispositions. These behavioral changes however need to be sustained, as our genes are certainly not going to change. Parents who are obese have a special challenge with their children. These parents need to exercise vigilance over food selections and physical activity for both themselves and their offspring. We certainly learn by example and if parents are not good role models, the children's ability to overcome their obesigenic environment is compromised. Studies have shown that when infants are overfeed to stop their crying or to induce sleep etc., that their normal feeding feedback mechanisms can be altered. In other words, their neurochemistry can be short circuited, and they continue to overeat as they mature. AAM: "Perhaps more so than any other area, there are many people looking for the magic bullet to weight loss, are there any new developments on the immediate horizon that hold promise?" DB: Currently there are more than 100 potential anti-obesity drugs in various stages of clinical trials. We live in a society of instantaneous results, i.e., text messages, emails, so we also would like immediate results with regards to weight loss. Companies promoting products that produce rapid weight loss with no regard to food intake or physical activity exploit the vulnerability of those who desperately want to believe that they have found the proverbial magic bullet. Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet, but there are some very interesting drugs on the horizon. These drugs are primarily modulators of the neuroendocrine pathways, which I believe will become the primary drugs of choice in Bariatric medicine. AOD-9604 developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals, is a growth hormone fragment that is orally absorbed and can certainly be used in combination with other anti-obesity agents. It produces weight loss by promoting lipolysis and inhibiting lipogenesis without the negative side effects of growth hormone. Another rising star is a 5-HT2C agonist. APD356, developed by Arena Pharmaceuticals. Fenfluramine, the drug that was withdrawn due to its association with valvular heart disease and PPH was a 5-HT2C receptor agonist. Because of its different receptor site activity, APD356 has not been associated with the development of any cardiovascular disease. The emerging star is Rimonabant, or 38 i a m Sept 2006
branded Acomplia. this is the first antiobesity agent that has been in approved since 1997- at least in Europe, however the FDA of the United States denied the request to fast track approval by Sanofi-Aventis earlier this year, and placed additional requirements on the company before approving the drug for use in the United States. AAM: "Yes indeed a lot has been made of Acomplia in the press recently, particularly as you say- it has just been approved in Europe for use in weight loss. What makes it different to other methods that have come before it?" DB: Well Rimonabant is a CB1 receptor antagonist that has been shown to produce weight loss, improve metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors and assist in smoking cessation. Cannabinoid I receptors are expressed in several areas of the brain including the basal ganglia, hippocampus and cerebellum and other sites including the autonomic nervous system, liver, muscle, GI tract, and adipose tissue. Nicotine and the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, THC, produce activation of these receptors. That is why people get the "munchies" after smoking marijuana. AAM: "So what do you make of the clinical trials with Acomplia that show 10% loss of bodyweight and an average of 3 inches off the waist, is this a breakthrough?" DB: The results of the RIO [Ed Rimonabant in Obesity], Europe study noted that with a weight loss of 10%, there was an elevation in the HDL cholesterol, a decrease in the LDL cholesterol, a reduction in triglycerides and waist circumference, an increase in the Adiponectin level, and an improvement in glycemic control. I must say that if I told a patient who weighed 200 pounds that 1 could help her lose 20 pounds with the help of a drug, I think that she would promptly leave my office in a huff. Although the medical literature supports the fact that a 5-10% reduction in baseline weight improves if not reverses comorbidities associated with obesity, in the real world, patients' expectations for weight loss are much higher. The study could not permit individualization of treatment modalities. I believe that a patient who is involved in a structured program under the supervision of an experienced practitioner would attain a far superior weight loss as compared to those in the RIO-Europe study. Studies that involved other anti-obesity drugs such as Reductil, Xenical速 and phentermine did show a statistically significant reduction in weight approaching the Rimonabant data, but none of the studies showed such overall improvement of metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors.
The release of this drug has met with great excitement in the field of Bariatric medicine as this marks the first release of a new antiobesity agent in almost 10 years. 1 am excited to have a new agent although 1 have a few reservations about my unconditional support for Rimonabant. First of all, since we are meant to survive, our bodies do everything to protect our survival. To explain this concept another way, the body's orexigenic pathways- those that stimulate eating- are far stronger and can overcome the anorexigenic pathways- those that inhibit eating. An example of this would be the recent experience with Axokine, a drug that by-passes leptin resistance and showed great promise as an anti-obesity drug. During phase 3 clinical trials, the majority of subjects developed neutralizing antibodies to Axokine resulting in the discontinuation of the trial. Are we going to see that over time, Rimonabant loses its effectiveness? Secondly. I am fearful that patients will rely solely on the drug and forget about the importance of maintaining sensible food consumption and regular physical activity and blame the drug for their failure, when in fact the failure is due to their noncompliance. AAM: "One imagines this discovery will take Bariatric medicine off into new directions that were previously unexplored; do you hold out that we can crack weight control one of these days?" DB: I believe the foundation of successful Bariatric treatment lies in the food and physical activity plan, correcting hormonal imbalances, nutritional and micronutrient deficiencies, and gut dysbiosis. The addition of pharmacological agents provides an extremely useful adjunct to our treatment armamentarium. I have witnessed the numerous beneficial effects that anti-obesity medications have had on the improving comorbidities in so very many patients. The future holds great promise for agents that control appetite signaling pathways through neuro-endocrine pathways and even agents that help to boost metabolic rates. We will probably use a combination of agents, much as we do for the treatment of hypertension. These agents will assure the successful treatment of obesity, but more importantly, facilitate maintenance of weight loss. The future may even hold a vaccine to prevent obesity. I feel that this is one of the most exciting times to be involved in Bariatric medicine because caloric restriction is critical to enhancing our longevity. AAM: "Thanks very much Dr. Bruner. you've given hope for us all!" DB: "That's good to know!"
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