Letters From Modern Psychiatry
Alen J Salerian MD www.modernpsychiatry.gr
In
universe everything ages.
Both nonliving and living things age through
oxidation.
We age because our cells age from oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress is mediated by
1. Free radicals
2. Caloric intake
3. Body temperature
4. Blood ph.
Law Of Life
The higher the free radicals, caloric intake ,
body temperature and acidity the faster we die .
The most robust behavioral intervention to prolong
life in humans is caloric restriction which reduces free radicals and body
temperature.
The Baltimore longitudinal study Identified
low body temperature and caloric intake and high DHEA levels as biological
markers for longevity.
Colcombe et al proved that intense
cardiovascular exercise can expand brain tissue
and generate brain growth in
elderly.
What is oxidative stress?
Human body’s failure to detoxify free radicals and to repair the
resulting damage.
What
are free radicals?
Free radicals are byproducts of
normal metabolism. Ageing may result at least in part from radical mediated
oxidative stress (Harman , Journal of gerontology 1956). At moderate
concentrations, reactive nitrogen species (NOS)- nitric oxide (NO)and reactive
oxygen species (ROS) are crucial mediators in cellular signaling.
What are Antioxidants?
Antioxidants are
substances that delay cellular ageing by combating free radical mediated
oxidative stress. Coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, magnesium, zinc and selenium
are important antioxidants.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme
Q10 has a fundamental role in cellular bioenergetics. It is also a crucial
antioxidant. Healthy blood level is 0.40to 1.92gmol/l. Solid evidence for its
beneficial effect in cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. There is
also evidence that Q10 may induce a protective effect on breast tissue against cancer. Q10 also improves blood pressure and blood sugar control.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant. It protects
against lipid peroxidation in tissues. High daily intake (greater than 400 u)
is associated with greater mortality.
Magnesium
Magnesium has
neuro protective properties notably blockade of glutamate receptors. Magnesium increases regional circulation to
ischaemic tissue, insulin sensitivity and metabolic control in type two
diabetes.
Selenium:
Selenium is an antioxidant necessary for the
production of thyroid hormone. It seems to have a protective effect on cancer
incidence.
Zinc
Zinc is an
antioxidant.
Can
we test our antioxidant status?
We can measure blood levels of diverse
vitamins and nutrients. We can also measure blood antioxidant status by TRAP
test.
TRAP test:
A widely used test to measure antioxidant
status in blood and body fluids.
From Stress To Oxidative
Stress
When you have a bad day, it is
also a bad day for some of your 34 trillion cells and some 30 trillion bacteria
that live in you.
What happens
to a cell on a stressful day?
In response
to stress human HPA(hypothalamus-pituatery-adrenal )axis releases stress
hormones .,
cortisol and adrenalin. The
elevated circulating cortisol and adrenaline would not only increase oxidative
stress and temperature but would also increase the cellular energy needs. This
is why any bad day shortens your life by prematurely aging your cells. This is
also why, worries -real or imagined- are unhealthy for your trillions of cells
that let you live and function.
Essentials For Brain
DHEA and melatonin dramatically
decline after age 50.
Melatonin is
important for healthy sleep.
DHEA counter acts the
adverse influence of adrenal cortisol production ie osteoporosis, loss of body mass, decreased
muscle mass and strength,
increased body fat. DHEA is also converted to testosterone and increases libido.
Vitamin D is a
neuroactive substance essential for serotonin and dopamine production.
B3 (Niacin): Helps regulate the
nervous and digestive systems and aids in the conversion of food into energy.
B5 (Pantothenic acid): Breaks
down fats and carbohydrates for energy and is responsible for the production of
hormones.
B6 (Pyridoxine): Helps the body
turn food into energy. Vitamin B6 also helps the body fight infection.
B7 (Biotin): Involved in the
production of hormones.
B9 (Folic acid): This B vitamin
helps cells make and maintain DNA and promotes the growth of red blood cells.
It also helps to reduce the risk of birth defects.
B12 (Cobalamin): Vitamin B12
helps regulate the nervous system and plays a role in red blood cell formation.
Omega 3
Unsaturated fatty acids are not produced by humans but
essential for body function as mediators of inflammatory response.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba has anti- inflammatory, anti-
hypertensive and anti cortisol
properties. It has been shown to be useful for
memory enhancement and for mountain sickness.
Brain Cocktail
120
Brain Cocktail 120
is a science based mixture of daily essentials to promote longevity in
combination with
Caloric
intake of 1200 cal or less
Mediterranean
diet
Physical
fitness (temperature 36.5 or less +pulse 60 or below)
Brain
Cocktail 120
Magnesium 240 mg
Zinc 50 mg
Selenium 200 mg
Vitamin B complex
Vitamin E 200 u
Vitamin D 400 u
DHEA 100 mg
Q10 120 mg
Gingko Biloba 160 mg
Omega 3 1000 mg
Melatonin 3 mg
Antioxidants In Food
DHEA: Royal jelly
Manganese: Seafood, lean
meat, milk, nuts
Selenium: Seafood, offal,
lean meat, whole grains
Vitamin B : turkey, tuna and liver, legumes (pulses or beans), whole grains, potatoes, bananas, chili
peppers..
Vitamin C: Oranges,
berries, kiwi fruit, mangoes, broccoli, spinach, pepper
Vitamin E: Vegetable oils,
nuts, avocados, seeds, whole grain
Vitamin D :sunlight
Zinc: Seafood, lean
meat, milk, nuts
Omega 3:fish oil
Q10: heart, liver,
and kidney,
as well as beef, soy oil, sardines, mackerel, and peanuts.
References :
1. Salerian AJ, The Brain: A beautiful
journey, Amazon,2017
2. N W Shock et al, Normal human aging
,The Baltimore longitudinal study on
ageing. US government printing
office, Washington DC 1984 .
3. Roth GS, Lane MA, Ingram D ,
Mattison JU et al, Biomarkers of caloric restriction may predict longevity in
humans , Science volume 297 , 2002.
4. Colcombe SJ, Erickson KI, Paige
E. Scalf J et al Aerobic Exercise Training Increases Brain
Volume in Aging Humans .The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Volume 61, Issue 11, 1 November 2006, Pages
1166–1170,
5. Salerian AJ Saleri NG, Cooler body
temperatures may delay degeneration and prolong longevity, Medical Hypotheses,2008
6. Harman, D (1956). "Aging: a theory based
on free radical and radiation chemistry". Journal of
Gerontology. 11 (3): 298–300
7. Salerian AJ, Human body may produce
bacteria, Medical Hypotheses,Volume 103, 2017.
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