What Supplements Should Be Taken to Preserve the Brain?

A recent study published in the Journal of Intelligence looked at the effects on IQ of a proprietary combination of nutritional supplements, called Ceretrophin, vs. placebo. The combination is made up of Huperzine A, Vinpocetine, Acetyl-l-carnitine, R. Rosea and Alpha-lipoic acid, all readily available over the counter in the US. The researchers tested the subjects on Ravens Advanced Progressive Matrices (APM) prior to treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment or placebo.

A significant study visit (time) treatment condition interaction was found: F (1, 57) = 7.279, p = 0.009, partial 2 = .113, with paired samples t-tests revealing a significant improvement in mean APM score from baseline to retest (week 4) (t(34) = 4.045, p < .001) for the Ceretrophin group. Improvements in APM scores could be attributed to the active intervention over the placebo, indicating that the treatment improved general intelligence. Implications for improving our understanding of the biological basis of intelligence and pharmacologically improving human cognition are discussed. _Intelligence_via_Inductivist

Ron Guhname at the Inductivist blog suggests that this improvement in Ravens APM scores represents an increase in IQ score of 6 points (see comment at link).

The assortment of supplements included in "Ceretrophin" provides a wide spectrum of effects on neural tissues, including anti-inflammatory, stimulant, vascular, and neuroreceptor effects.

In addition to the supplements listed, there are a number of others which should be considered, including curcumin and omega 3 fatty acids. It would be easy to go overboard on taking supplements, so make sure that you find a good justification for each supplement that you choose to take. Also keep in mind possible interactions between supplements, between supplements and any drugs you may take, an any potential of supplements to exacerbate a pre-existing condition you may have.

In general, the doses of supplements and herbs available OTC in pills and capsules in western nations, should not represent significant risk to most individuals.

Al Fin gerontologists and cognitive scientists do not dispute the findings in the study, although they feel the sample size was too small for definitive conclusions. Nevertheless, the study suggests that similar research with larger sample sizes and a variety of supplement combinations could be justified.

Biological Flavonoids--Don't Throw them Away Just Yet

A recent study from the Linus Pauling Institute at OSU Corvallis concludes that bioflavonoids have little if any use as antioxidants.

The study, published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, found flavonoids are highly metabolized, which alters their chemical structure and diminishes their ability to function as an antioxidant. Although the compounds appear to have three to five times more antioxidant capacity than vitamins C or E, the body sees them as foreign compounds and modifies them for rapid excretion in the urine and bile

Source

The authors further stated that biological flavonoids may induce the body to excrete more carcinogens, and possibly reduce the risks of cancer and heart disease through other mechanisms than antioxidant activity.

Another study, from Denmark, purports to show that consumption of anti-oxidant supplements such as Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Beta Carotene--among others--are of no use in prolonging life and may actually increase morbidity and mortality.

Both of these studies have been used in an attempt to prove that the consumption of vitamins and phytonutrients are of limited if any benefit in the quest to prolong life and reduce risk of illness.

Unfortunately, the Danish study appears to confuse association with causation--a common error among researchers poorly trained in epistemology--and the Linus Pauling Institute study failed to follow the physiology of ingested flavonoids far enough.

It is abundantly clear that many researchers, in their eagerness to publish, fail to think their subject through clearly enough to present a coherent and valid conclusion to either the public, or to fellow scientists. This is more the fault of the competitive environment of modern science than a sign of intellectual or character deficits in the researchers. It is a publish or perish world for academics and researchers.

Quercetin, Resveratrol, Curcumin, Green Tea, Ginger, proanthocyanidins, and other plant-derived nutrients have demonstrated significant potential for reduction of morbidity of many types.

Many flavonoids have demonstrated clear anti-inflammatory effect in various biological models and syndromes. A serious researcher would look further for the source of the physiologic effects of flavonoids, rather than issuing a blanket statement of "no effect" with respect to the narrow issue of particular ways of measuring anti-oxidant activity in vivo. Much more was left undone and unsaid that is of far more importance, than what was demonstrated.

Particularly disappointing is the response of "science blogs" reporting on these and similar studies. Unfortunately, a false image of the underlying facts has been projected to the lay public, which may have unfortunate long term results for some.

NF Kappa B and Aging

The Life Extension Magazine has an interesting article on NF Kappa B and its relationship to aging. Previous Al Fin postings on NF Kappa B here, and here, provide more background for understanding this important transcription factor.

From the LEF Magazine article:

The ubiquitous presence of NFkB throughout the inflammation-cancer cycle suggests that the next breakthroughs in cancer treatment will likely center on the inhibition of NFkB and its actions. As scientists learn more about NFkB and the complex systems that regulate it, they also learn more about the wide array of substances that can inhibit its dangerous actions. For example, the anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen inhibits not only the COX-2 enzyme but also NFkB,12 and has a well-established safety record. This drug, as well as many natural inhibitors of NFkB, will therefore play an important role in controlling the inflammatory components of tumor formation and growth.

Because the NFkB factors are active in both the cancerous cells and inflammatory cells in tumors, nutrients or drugs that can inhibit NFkB show tremendous promise as anti-cancer or cancer-preventive agents.8 Scientists believe that the combination of NFkB inhibition with drugs or cytokines that induce cancer cell death has great promise in fighting cancer.13

Because the NFkB system is also involved in producing healthy immune responses, there are concerns about its long-term inhibition. While NFkB seems to be most profoundly involved in cancer at the stages of promotion and progression,8,14 it may be possible to use inhibitors for relatively short periods. Another potential use for such inhibitors would be in combination with chemotherapy or radiation treatments, as a means of controlling the associated inflammation and enhancing the effects of those treatments.8

....Herbs and spices from around the world have long been sought for their pleasing flavors and healing qualities. Even today, these plant extracts are valued worldwide for promoting health and fighting disease. Scientists are discovering that many of these natural agents act through the universal mechanism of inhibiting the over-expression of NFkB.

Curcumin is a compound found in a number of South Asian spices, most prominently in turmeric, a component of curry seasoning.

Curcumin has well-established antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.35,36 The extent to which curcumin exerts these effects by inhibiting NFkB is becoming increasingly clear.37 Curcumin acts directly within the cell’s nucleus and also acts on substances that activate NFkB. For example, it binds iron and copper in brain tissue, reducing the activation of NFkB that is associated with the production of amyloid beta proteins in Alzheimer’s disease.35

Strong evidence suggests that curcumin may fight the following inflammatory diseases:

* Colitis. Dietary curcumin supplements strongly suppressed NFkB activation in a rat model of colitis,38 resulting in both decreased tissue wasting and colonic inflammation. When curcumin was given to experimental animals before the induction of colitis, there was reduced NFkB activation and less visible damage to the colon.39 This effect was accompanied by reduced activity of several enzymes involved in inflammation in the gut.
* Liver disease. The development of alcoholic liver disease, resulting in chemical hepatitis and eventually cirrhosis, has recently been associated with NFkB-mediated gene expression. When laboratory rats were fed sufficient alcohol to produce alcoholic fatty liver with liver cell inflammation and necrosis, dietary curcumin inhibited NFkB activation, preventing both the microscopic and biochemical changes associated with alcoholic liver disease.40 In an experimental model of non-alcoholic fatty liver degeneration (which induces substantial oxidative stress), investigators found that dietary curcumin significantly reduced inflammation and the release of inflammatory modulators through NFkB inhibition.41
* Chronic neurodegenerative diseases. NFkB-induced inflammation involving brain glial cells is thought to be one mechanism contributing to the formation of amyloid beta proteins, which are characteristic of Alzheimer’s and other degenerative brain diseases.42 In several recent studies, curcumin has been shown to reduce the glial cell expression of inflammatory mediators.43,44 Curcumin likewise has been shown to reduce amyloid beta formation in animal models by inhibiting NFkB.45,46
* Arthritis. Curcumin’s inhibition of NFkB reduces the degenerative changes to arthritic joints.47,48 Just this year, curcumin was shown to enhance the anti-inflammatory effects of the COX-2 inhibitor drug celecoxib.49 This is an important finding, since COX-2 inhibitors have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. This caused scientists to propose that co-treatment with curcumin could reduce the dose of selective COX-2 inhibitors required to achieve significant relief from inflammation.
* Cancer. Curcumin has been found to suppress, retard, and even reverse cancer development at each stage of the disease.50 By inhibiting NFkB, curcumin reduced expression of proteins needed by cancer cells for proliferation (the promotion stage) and for invasion and metastasis (the progression stage).51 Curcumin also reduces cancer progression by increasing cell death in cancer cells, thereby depriving them of the “immortality” they need to survive and invade other tissues.52,53 This has allowed curcumin to be effective in highly chemotherapy-resistant cancers;54 it has also been shown to increase the effect of chemotherapy in animal models of advanced human cancer.51

....Capsaicin, the main ingredient in red pepper, has both anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.81-83 Red pepper compounds have long been used to manage inflammatory joint conditions.37 Capsaicin inhibits the induction of two inflammation-provoking enzymes in stimulated macrophage immune cells.82 This effect is attributable to its inhibition of NFkB activation.83 Capsaicin also induces cell death in many cancers by modulating NFkB.81 Like curcumin, capsaicin inhibits the growth of adult T-cell leukemia cells by impairing NFkB activation.84 Capsaicin further impairs cancer progression by reducing levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, thus depriving growing cancers of nutrients.85

Clove extract (eugenol) inhibits NFkB-mediated expression of inflammatory cytokines.86,87 Like capsaicin, eugenol inhibits NFkB activation in stimulated macro-phage immune cells,87 reducing their synthesis of COX-2 and inflammatory cytokines.86 Oil of cloves has been used in dental care for centuries, and eugenol is now widely used to promote healing and prevent excessive inflammation after root canal surgery.88,89

Ginger extracts exert anti-inflammatory activity and stimulate cancer cell death by inhibiting NFkB.90-92 Ginger reduces expression of the key inflammatory enzymes COX-1 and COX-2.93 Topical application of ginger extract inhibits skin inflammation in a mouse model92 by inhibiting NFkB.91 A ginger extract was shown to enhance tumor cell death and down-regulate production of tumor invasion factors by preventing activation of NFkB.90

Basil and rosemary extracts, which contain ursolic acid, reduce cancer cell proliferation and tumor progression through NFkB inhibition.94-96 By inactivating NFkB, ursolic acid prevents initiated cells from reproducing and also triggers tumor cell death.95 This compound further down-regulates molecules that are required for tumor invasion and metastasis.96 Ursolic acid works through its effects on NFkB to induce resting macrophage immune cells, and thus to participate in tumor cell destruction in the early stages of cancer.97 Ursolic acid derivatives that inhibit NFkB have been shown to suppress pro-inflammatory enzyme expression in mouse models of inflammation.98 This effect has been associated with reduced cardiac fibrosis (scar tissue) in the heart tissue of diabetic mice.94

Garlic has now been shown to exert its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects by inhibiting NFkB.37,99 Garlic extracts lowered NFkB activity by up to 41% in human blood and kidney cells that had been exposed to an inflammation-provoking challenge, thus reducing the expression of certain cytokines.100 These effects may be linked to the observation that a garlic compound inhibits damage to endothelial cells lining blood vessels and reduces atherosclerotic changes.101 Garlic’s inhibition of NFkB leads to reduced production of chemicals that cause lipid peroxidation, and this could provide further protection from atherosclerosis.102 NFkB inhibition is credited for garlic’s ability to protect liver cells from auto-immune damage in an animal model,103 as well as induce cell death in leukemia.104

Pomegranate fruit extract protects cells against the effects of ultraviolet B radiation by inhibiting ultraviolet light-stimulated NFkB activation.105 Pomegranate fruit extract also prevented chemically induced skin cancers in mice through NFkB-mediated effects on both cancer initiation and promotion.106 Blockade of NFkB by pomegranate fruit extract has shown promise in osteoarthritis by inhibiting the production of protein-digesting enzymes and inflammatory cytokines.107 Pomegranate wine reduced the activation of NFkB in vascular endothelial cells by inflammatory mediators or biomechanical stresses,108 thus protecting against atherosclerosis.109
Summary

Scientists have discovered that by controlling our DNA, nuclear factor-kappa beta (NFkB) plays a central role in determining our health and longevity. By integrating signals of inflammation, NFkB appears to be the common link between such diverse conditions as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.

Agents that control NFkB’s influence within the human body—such as omega-3 fatty acids, phytoestrogens, curcumin, garlic, licorice, ginger, rosemary, and pomegranate—hold great promise in fighting many diverse diseases and in promoting long and healthy lives.

More at Source.

While the LEF article over-simplifies the role of NF Kappa B, it is a helpful first look for non-scientists, at a very important transcription factor involved in cancer, inflammation, and ultimately life extension.

Curcumin, garlic, and ginger are all quite safe and proven to be helpful in several degenerative conditions of middle age and senescence. It is currently not known how much of their beneficial effects come from their effect on NFKB.

Glimpses Into the Near Future

The master control program for development and repair of the human organism is being de-encrypted. Using tools from genetic programming, stem cell research, and nanotechnology, it will be possible to assist the body in maintaining health and youth. Here is a brief progress report for a few interesting tools and technologies:

Creating embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines is controversial. Destroying embryos to create a single ESC line strikes some as wasteful of human life. But what if you could take an embryo and create millions of distinct ESC lines from it?

This Nature abstract discusses the protein Nanog, which may allow the creation of any number of "hybrid" ESC lines-- reprogramming adult stem cells to pluripotency. Eventually it should even be possible to reprogram adult stem cells without having to use an ESC. Here is a bit more detail in this Bio.com newsrelease:

The Edinburgh scientists fused mouse embryonic stem cells with brain stem cells, a type of adult stem cell. They found that the addition of Nanog resulted in a massive increase in the numbers of hybrid cells, all of which behaved like embryonic stem cells. Most importantly the hybrid cells showed the capacity to make many different cell types, such as heart and gut. "This means that the genetic programme of the brain cells has been erased and replaced by the unspecialised programme of an early embryo cell" says Dr Jose Silva, first author of this study.

Dr Silva adds "The effect of Nanog is remarkable. All of the hybrid cells become fully converted to embryonic stem cells. If we can figure out how Nanog does this, it may become possible to switch cell types without fusion or cloning." However, the Edinburgh team must also identify at least one other key gene. "Nanog has great power" says Professor Smith, "but it does not work in isolation, only in partnership with other genes present in embryonic stem cells".

As an organism ages, it loses the ability to replace lost cells. At some point, cells lose the ability to replicate, but even before that point they show signs of incompetence in gene expression. This Nature abstract discusses research that reveals this increased variation in gene expression of aging myocytes:

One possible mechanism by which increased DNA damage could lead to cellular degeneration and death is by stochastic deregulation of gene expression. Here we directly test for increased transcriptional noise in aged tissue by dissociating single cardiomyocytes from fresh heart samples of both young and old mice, followed by global mRNA amplification and quantification of mRNA levels in a panel of housekeeping and heart-specific genes. Although gene expression levels already varied among cardiomyocytes from young heart, this heterogeneity was significantly elevated at old age. We had demonstrated previously an increased load of genome rearrangements and other mutations in the heart of aged mice3, 4.

This means that in order to perform DNA repair on senescent cells, it will be necessary to have templates of relatively young cells of that type. At some point it would be necessary to replace the old cells with new cells--much like replacing the rotten planking of an old wooden boat with new planking. It is still the same boat, but the new planking gives it a new life. Stem cells--tissue specific programmed ASC's from preserved ESC's--would provide the replacement cells.

That is why drugs such as the recent Korean discovery CGK-733 will not work as life extenders. They only extend the replication lifetime of cells--they do not keep the ageing cells young. The senescent incompetence of gene expression is still present, along with increasing risks of cancerous transformation.

Next, what good is a body made of young vibrant cells, if the mind is asleep or deranged? This Eurekalert newsrelease discusses the discovery of Neuropeptide-S, a new brain protein that promises to help wake the walking sleepers.

Neuropeptide S (NPS), so named by Rainer K. Reinscheid, Ph.D., assistant professor, Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, is produced by a small cluster of cells in the brainstem, yet its specialized receptors are found in several areas of the brain, including those that are associated with the regulation of arousal, sleep and wakefulness, anxiety, appetite, learning and memory. Dr. Reinscheid and his colleagues reported finding the new neuropeptide just last year and described animal studies showing how binding of NPS to its receptors on the surfaces of neurons promotes strong arousal, suppresses all phases of sleep and lessens anxiety in stressful or unfamiliar situations.

Now, at ICN 2006, Dr. Reinscheid's group reports how NPS also can reduce the biochemical and behavioral symptoms of schizophrenia in an established animal model for this mental illness that affects some 2 million Americans. Animals pretreated with NPS before receiving a drug that normally induces psychotic-like behaviors did not develop the signature behavioral symptoms and neurochemical features of schizophrenia, reported Naoe Okamura, M.D., Ph.D., who is a co-worker of Dr. Reinscheid at the University of California, Irvine.

"Although preliminary, our animal studies indicate the NPS receptor should be explored as a target for the development of novel antipsychotic drugs. Whether molecules activating the NPS system will prove to be better drugs than others used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia remains to be seen. We still have a very long way to go before proving it can alleviate symptoms in humans as we've seen it do in rodents," said Dr. Reinscheid.

A peptide that wakes people up, and makes them less anxious and perhaps less psychotic too? Quite the improvement over amphetamine. Perhaps exactly what is needed in the coming age of tumultuous transition to a next level world.

Some nanotechnologists and singularitarians believe that tiny nanobots will be able to store and carry the early genome to all cells, and busily repair any errors that may occur in replication--even in ageing cells. Such nanobots could conceivably detect early cancerous transformation, and act to trigger apoptosis in cells with such changes.

Research in biotechnology is now at such a profound level, that breakthroughs in one are can quickly lead to breakthroughs in several other areas. It is obvious that ageing is related to malignancy as well as autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases. In addition, improvements in the tools of biotechnology research almost immediately suggest newer and more profound areas of research and discovery. It is becoming easier to believe Ray Kurzweil's analysis of exponential knowledge growth.

Now, two more postings on aging: the first deals with mitigating the effects of aging in those already old. The second posting will deal with new theories of cryopreservation that may finally provide a workable way forward to safely place people into "stasis" for later "re-animation".

A compound that stimulates the secretion of growth hormone can help older adults improve their physical function and lower their body fat percentage, according to study results that will be presented Wednesday, June 21, at the International Congress of Neuroendocrinology in Pittsburgh. The results will be presented by Dr. George Merriam, professor of medicine at the University of Washington and a physician with the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. Merriam helped coordinate endocrine aspects of this multi-site study, along with Dr. Heidi White of Duke University and researchers at Pfizer, Inc. Nearly 400 adults from 65 to 84 years old were enrolled in the study, and were divided into groups receiving a placebo or one of four different levels of an oral growth hormone secretagogue (GHS), which stimulates the secretion of human growth hormone. Researchers measured the participants' fat and lean body (muscle) mass, as well as their performance in physical tests like stair climbing and a heel-to-toe walk. The participants also received blood tests for levels of growth hormone and a compound called IGF-1, a hormone which responds to growth hormone and mediates some of its effects. Participants receiving the GHS treatment saw a significant increase in lean body mass – about 1.5 kilograms, or 3.3 pounds. The GHS treatment led to improved physical function over the six- to 12-month study period. Participants also had higher levels of growth hormone and IGF-1 in their bloodstreams. Patients receiving the GHS treatment had minor side effects, including increased fatigue, insomnia, and fasting glucose levels. Growth hormone is vital in childhood growth, and production of the hormone peaks during puberty. However, it continues to affect physical function throughout our lives, and it regulates metabolism and body composition. As adults move into middle age, growth hormone production begins to taper off. Many of the effects of aging – increased abdominal fat, reduced muscle mass, and decreased physical function – look very similar to the symptoms of growth hormone deficiency in younger people. As those aging effects set in, many older adults find it difficult to care for themselves, and they lose quality of life and often turn to long-term care. Source.

Last, new ideas on cryopreservation:

In medicine, cryopreservation involves preserving organs and tissues for transplantation or other uses. Only certain kinds of cells and tissues, including sperm and embryos, currently can be frozen and successfully rewarmed. A major problem hindering wider use of cyropreservation is formation of ice crystals, which damage cell structures. Cyropreservation may be most familiar, however, as the controversial idea that humans, stricken with incurable diseases, might be frozen and then revived years or decades later when cures are available. Bogdan's experiments involved a form of water termed "glassy water," or low-density amorphous ice (LDA), which is produced by slowly supercooling diluted aqueous droplets. LDA melts into highly viscous water (HVW). Bogdan reports that HVW is not a new form of water, as some scientists believed. ...."It may seem fantastic, but the fact that in aqueous solution, [the] water component can be slowly supercooled to the glassy state and warmed back without the crystallization implies that, in principle, if the suitable cyroprotectant is created, cells in plants and living matter could withstand a large supercooling and survive," Bogdan explained. In present cryopreservation, the cells being preserved are often damaged due to freezing of water either on cooling or subsequent warming to room temperature. "Damage of the cells occurs due to the extra-cellular and intra-cellular ice formation which leads to dehydration and separation into the ice and concentrated unfrozen solution. If we could, by slow cooling/warming, supercool and then warm the cells without the crystallization of water then the cells would be undamaged." Source: American Chemical Society More at source.

In the future, several approaches to aging will be available. Those who choose to age "normally" will have the option of "optimising their years" without adding to them appreciably. HGH promoters, pumps, and depo injections will be useful for them. Others will want to add a few decades of high functioning years to their lives. For those, drugs that aid in DNA repair, protein crosslink repair, calorie restriction mimetics, and anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory supplements will probably do the trick. For those who want more radical extension to their lives, SENS-like approaches to rejuvenation engineering may eventually pay off. Stem cell repair and organ re-growth will definitely be available in the next few decades. More cyborg replacement parts will also be available in the next half century. The grand strategy is genetic engineering of a longer living body that rejuvenates itself constantly, and heals rapidly when injured.

Should safe and reliable cryogenics become available before the more radical lifespan extension strategies, it is conceivable that some might opt to be placed in "suspended animation" until the technologies for longer life are perfected. That might be particularly true for those dying prematurely of terminal illnesses.

Research into these technologies is being funded, sometimes under other descriptions. It is very likely that the goal of doubling the human lifespan will be achieved before the end of the century. Perhaps before the midpoint of the century.

Longevity and Life Extension: Getting the Jump on Aging Before SENS

Many of you are familiar with Aubrey de Grey and his SENS approach to life extension and longevity. For the intermediate term, de Grey's approach offers a lot of promise in the fight against aging.

In the short term, we need something more immediate. Ray Kurzweil has written a book on aging, discussing the several dozen supplements he takes daily. Most people do not need that much, but some might need more. A recent Barron's article took a stab at the subject, but journalists have trouble getting to the meat of a topic.

This brief posting will deal with the basics of life extension now, rather than longevity in the next fifty years. Several postings in Al Fin have dealt with this topic, and there is no need to repeat them. This is just the basics. People below the age of 40 should ignore the hormone section. Each person should selectively choose agents based upon his own circumstances. Inform yourself in basic biology. Consult professionals before taking prescription medicines or extremely high doses of any agent. DHEA and androgens can potentially accelerate the development and spread of prostate cancer, so be sure and be screened appropriately if you are in the susceptible age group of males.

1. Hormones: DHEA, HGH, androgens, estrogens, thymosins, melatonin, and thyroid.
2. Antioxidants: Vitamins A,C,E, Lipoic Acid, Selenium, NAC, CoQ10, polyphenols, other phyto-antioxidants.
3. Antiglycation agents: Aminoguanidine, Carnosine, pyridoxamine, benfotiamine, ALT 711.
4. Brain Boosters: Ginkgo, PS, bacopa, DMAE, neurotransmitter precursors, hydergine, vinpocetine, Huperzine, etc.
5. Calorie restriction mimetics such as resveratrol, quercetin, etc.
6. General: TMG, Curcumin, carnitine, B complex, etc.
5. Immune Boosters: Wide variety of herbals and complex carbohydrate derivatives of plants and microorganisms, plus a lot of laughter.
6. Physical exercise and prudent eating, plus elimination of clearly bad habits and institution of good lifestyle habits.
7. Mental and emotional training. Practise sentic cycles and other forms of meditation. Read books on mind and memory training, and practise exercises.

If you are too old to wait for SENS, but rebel against the need to practise self-discipline, simply get old as you are doing. Otherwise, consult the longevity links posted on the side-bar of the Al Fin main page. Learn what you can, and start practising what you can. The important thing is to take a systematic approach. If you pop a lot of pills, but smoke like a stack, drink like a fish, exercise less than a minute a week, and sleep only two or three hours a night, you may not be taking a balanced approach to the subject.

In a later post, I will go into more detail on some of the particular agents and approaches outlined above. In the meantime, feel free to utilise the source materials that are provided. Aging and life extension are hot topics these days. I wonder why?