Mitochondrial Theory of Aging

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Smart PublicationsHealth & Wellness Update January 28, 2003Dear Friends, This

issue of Smart Publications Health & Wellness Update is about a very important

new understanding of aging: the Mitochondrial Theory of Aging. This is emerging

as one of the dominant theories about why aging happens in the first place. But

this article isn’t just academic. In fact, it has already led to practical

application. You’ll read about a breakthrough study done by Bruce Ames at the

University of California, Berkeley, in which rats were given a supplement

designed to stimulate and protect mitochondria. The results so far have been

very impressive.In good health,John MorgenthalerNutritional supplementation for

your mitochondria.There are several theories of why aging actually happens and

each of these theories seems to explain part of the story.The Free Radical

Theory of AgingIn the mid 1950s, Denham Harman, MD, PhD developed the Free

Radical Theory of Aging, which explains that cells eventually break down due to

free radical attack resulting from oxidative stress. If you can imagine the body

as a battlefield in which the cells are attacked by free radicals (a molecule or

atom that is missing an electron) and damaged by the enemy—oxidation—then you

have a pretty good idea of the scenario. By-products of free radical damage can

result in cancer, Alzheimer's, arthritis and numerous other diseases associated

with aging. Overtime, the cells die, and inevitably we age and die

too.Mitochondrial Theory of AgingA fairly recent theory (1972)—which is gaining

increasing acceptance and was also proposed by Dr. Denham Harman—is the

" mitochondrial damage” theory of aging. What are mitochondria? Mitochondria are

the energy producing structures inside cells that enable them to function and

repair and maintain themselves. In many ways, mitochondria are like car engines.

A cell cannot function without mitochondria and a car cannot function without an

engine. A car may look great on the outside and have a lousy engine. Inevitably,

though, the car will end up in the shop more often than it is on the road.

Likewise, a human body with aging mitochondria will lose its ability to stay

young and healthy … because those mitochondria will negatively affect the cells

that make up tissues and organs, resulting in a slowing down of the entire

system. Even a very slight drop in mitochondrial energy output can result in

weakness, fatigue and impaired cognitive function. But just as you can give new

life to the car by rebuilding its engine, it's possible to rejuvenate

mitochondria and cellular health. Mitochondrial DNA are susceptible to free

radical damageMitochondria contain their own DNA or genetic material, which is

more susceptible to free radical damage than our cells' DNA because its

protective and repair mechanisms are less efficient. Additionally, mitochondria

play a major role in programmed cell death (apoptosis), which helps to destroy

damaged cells before they become either cancerous and/or less able to deal with

their own production of damaging free radicals.One of the biggest surprises

about the fundamental role mitochondria play in aging was a result of early

cloning experiments. One study done at Lund University, Sweden showed that

cloned sheep aged prematurely because they inherited cells with aged, damaged

mitochondria.As a result of these types of studies done in the past decade, the

Free Radical Theory of Aging has evolved into the Mitochondrial Theory of Aging.

This theory states that over time mitochondria accumulate damage to their own

genetic material. This results in a progressive loss of mitochondria capable of

providing sufficient energy for the optimal functioning of the cells.

Ultimately, this leads to cell aging and death.Not surprisingly, with the

knowledge gained from mitochondrial aging and its consequences, scientists have

sought the means to protect and rejuvenate mitochondrial functions as a

potential anti-aging treatment. Luckily, some major findings have shown that it

is possible to restore and maintain youthful energy production of mitochondria,

even in old animals, opening up a new chapter in humankind's quest for the

ability to extend the human life span.It makes sense then, if aging starts in

the mitochondria, a program to help resuscitate and protect mitochondria could

have profound and long-range benefits.Breakthrough research Dr. Bruce Ames,

professor of molecular and cellular biology at UC Berkeley, put this idea to the

test by giving rats a supplement designed to stimulate and protect mitochondria.

The results so far have been very impressive.Dr. Ames and his team fed older

rats two chemicals normally found in the body's cells and available as dietary

supplements: Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Lipoic Acid. The research was reported in

three articles that appeared in the February 19, 2002 issue of Proceedings of

the National Academy of Sciences.1 Not only did the older rats do better on

memory tests, they had more pep, and the energy-producing organelles in their

cells worked better. " With the two supplements together, these old rats got up

and did the Macarena, " said Ames. " The brain looks better, they are full of

energy—everything we looked at looks more like a young animal. " 2Based on Ames'

research, we now know that the combination of these two antioxidant dietary

supplements supercharges the cells' energy production in order to maximize

memory, health and longevity. This breakthrough research has even shown that the

combination of these nutrients has the potential of not only slowing down aging,

but of even reversing some signs of aging.Acetyl-L-Carnitine supercharges

cellular energy productionBased on dozens of studies, Acetyl-L-Carnitine has

been shown to supercharge cellular energy production in order to maximize

memory, health and longevity. What does it do?Acetyl-L-Carnitine is an amino

acid that occurs naturally in the brain, liver and kidney. It transports fats to

the mitochondria and is also available as a dietary supplement.Over the course

of 30 years of biochemical and clinical research, we've learned that ALC is a

natural metabolite in our physiology and an effective treatment for age-related

mental impairment. And just recently, breakthrough research has indicated that

ALC is an important anti-aging nutrient!Here's an overview of the important

discoveries relating to ALC in the past 30 years:1970s• ALC was found to

increase acetycholine production in the brain, which means it plays an important

role in memory and brain function. 1980s• Research conclusively showed that ALC

improved memory in animals and people.• After development of ALC as a

pharmaceutical in Europe, numerous studies confirmed the clinical effects of ALC

on memory, while other research was discovering that most of ALCs' effect was

due to its ability to improve mitochondrial function.• By the late 1980’s it

became apparent that the positive effects of ALC in so many animal and human

studies were far reaching. Many of these studies showed that ALC could prevent

or even reverse numerous age-related deficiencies and changes in neurological

function and brain cell structure, including the prevention of nerve

deterioration and restoration of nerve function in areas of the brain critical

to memory.1990s• Human clinical research dramatically increased during this

period.• By the late 1990’s it became apparent that the vast amount of different

effects of ALC on neurotransmitters and brain cell health likely had a common

basis—the beneficial actions of ALC on the cells' ability to maintain and

restore mitochondrial function in spite of aging. Coincidentally, at the same

time these discoveries were taking place all over the world, we were learning

more and more about mitochondria and their importance in health and aging.•

Research showed that supplementation with ALC was actually rejuvenating

mitochondria whose structure and function had declined due to the aging process.

The benefits of Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplementation ALC has been shown to:•

Protect the brain from the effects of aging• Improve performance in normal

healthy humans (Lino, et al., 1992)• Improve cognition by enhancing the

production of acetylcholine • Delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease and

enhance overall performance in some individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (Sano,

et al., 1992; Bowman, 1992)• Improve memory, attention span and alertness in

people with Alzheimer's disease (Cabrero, et al., 1992; Cassat, et al., 1990)•

Improve cerebral blood flow to the brain (Postiglione, et al., 1990; Rosadini,

et al., 1988)• Counteract depression in the elderly (Bella, et al., 1990)We've

examined how it's possible to increase mitochondria function with

supplementation of Acetyl-L-Carnitine. But since we know that mitochondria are

also the source of free radical production, the question remaining is this: How

is it possible to re-energize the mitochondria without increasing free radical

production?Many of the damaging free radicals generated within cells are formed

in the mitochondria during energy production. If you restored their energy

producing capacity with ALC alone, it would cause a dramatic increase in free

radical activity.This would increase the amount of damage occurring within the

cells, and would reduce any long-term benefit. Thus, while the amazing

properties of ALC are truly a revolution in dietary supplements, the most

desired anti-aging strategy would be to restore mitochondria function AND lower

the level of free radical production coming from the mitochondria. Because the

benefits of ALC slowly dissipate as increases in free radical production age the

cells.Reaping the full benefits of Acetyl-L-CarnitineRecently, it was discovered

that there are some antioxidants that could partially restore mitochondrial

function in old animals and decrease free radical production at the same time.

Unfortunately, most of them are synthetic chemicals that aren’t safe for human

consumption. All of them except one! Luckily this natural antioxidant is very

well researched and safe and approved for human consumption. Lipoic Acid's

unique antioxidant and cellular protective properties have been proven to slow

down and reverse the aging process.What is Lipoic Acid?Lipoic Acid is produced

by the body in trace amounts. It's a vitamin-like compound, which is often

called the " universal antioxidant " . This is because unlike most other

antioxidants that offer protection only for specific water-soluble or

fat-soluble environments, Lipoic Acid offers protection in both cellular

environments, providing antioxidant protection in all parts of our cells and

body.What's special about Lipoic Acid?Lipoic Acid is invaluable in recycling or

restoring other oxidized forms of antioxidants—including vitamin C, vitamin E,

glutathione and CoQ10— back to their active states. Lipoic Acid also crosses

cell membranes and works as an antioxidant in both water and lipid parts of the

body, including the brain. Lipoic Acid's antioxidant benefitsBecause of Lipoic

Acid's unique abilities as a natural, broad-spectrum antioxidant, research into

its effects quickly branched out. Since its development in Germany in the 1970s

as a treatment for diabetic complications, it is routinely given to diabetics in

Europe.Some of the findings from this extensive research concluded that Lipoic

Acid has the potential to:• Lower body levels of toxic metals, especially

mercury.• Help prevent heart disease by protecting LDL cholesterol (bad

cholesterol) from oxidation.• Promote brain and nerve cell health by stimulating

Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).But the most intriguing discovery was Lipoic Acid's

anti-aging effects on old animals.Lipoic Acid was also found to:• Improve memory

in aged animals by restoring age-related brain cell receptor defects. • Protect

brain cells from damage caused by toxins and chemicals.• Recycle CoQ10 back to

its antioxidant form in the body, enhancing the antioxidant protection of this

important antioxidant.• Normalize elevated lipid peroxide levels in aged

animals, reducing the risk of oxidation damage, cardiovascular disease, and

cancer.• Restore antioxidant protection in old animals to normal, young animal

levels.Breakthrough research proves Lipoic Acid has the potential to reverse

some of the fundamental signs of aging and arrest degenerative conditions.The

most exciting results from recent experiments done on aging animals have shown

that Lipoic Acid:• Improves age-related hearing loss.• Increases tissue levels

of nucleic acids and proteins, both of which decrease with aging.• Restores

mitochondrial and cellular antioxidant protection—which are greatly diminished

as a result of aging.• Prevents the toxicity of beta-amyloid peptide, a prime

culprit in the development of Alzheimer's disease.While decades of research have

shown Lipoic Acid to be a “universal antioxidant”, with expected beneficial

effects, the discoveries that Lipoic Acid can restore numerous biological

functions that are diminished with aging is truly unexpected.If Lipoic Acid is

indeed able to help restore hearing, restore mitochondrial function, help

prevent Alzheimer's disease, and exert its powerful and unique antioxidant

protection throughout the body, just imagine the range of possibilities that

this amazing nutrient can offer all of us concerned with maintaining and

preserving our health as we age. Recent scientific discoveries have revealed the

role that deteriorating mitochondria play in the life and death of cells and

organisms in the process of aging. Even more exciting is the discovery of the

first effective nutritional supplements that can revitalize the mitochondria,

thus strengthening our cells' ability to produce the energy necessary for

slowing or even reversing the effects of aging.References:1. Ames, Bruce, et al.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Feb. 19, 2002, 99, 4:2356-61,

2002, 99, 4:1876-81, 2002, 99, 4:1870-5, 20022. Functional Foodnet press

release, " Dietary supplements make old rats youthful, may help rejuvenate aging

humans, according to UC Berkeley, study, " Feb. 18, 2002.

http://131.104.232.9/ffnet/2002/2-2002/functional_foodnet_february_18.htm

 

 

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