Whole Foods & Health

by Dr. Brazos Minshew

Humans are designed to eat food.
Minerals from the soil are broken down by bacteria from large, rock-like molecules into tiny molecules often bound to protein. These miniature minerals are absorbed by plants. Plants use soil, water, air and sunlight to create active minerals and vitamins. We eat the plants and gain the benefits of their work. (Sometimes we eat the animals that have eaten the plants.)
We are designed to digest plants and extract the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. We are designed to desire the plants as food. Culinary artists tell us that we have large taste buds for sweet, salty, sour, bitter and acrid/pungent tastes and smells that attract us to various foods; these taste buds trigger cravings before we eat and satiety after we eat.
The journey of digestion
Hunger will be triggered if our brain detects a deficiency in any nutrient. These include "macro" nutrients like carbohydrates and sugars, protein, fats, water and fiber. It also includes "micro" nutrients like calcium, magnesium and Vitamin C. In a wonderful way, our body communicates the nature of the deficiency. For example, we crave sweets when we need Vitamin C. Cravings are the language our body uses to communicate its needs. We need to use our brains when interpreting this language!
As we anticipate eating a food that satisfies our cravings, we begin to salivate and our stomach prepares to receive the food. Microscopic particles of our meal enter the bloodstream and lymphatic system as we chew the food. This triggers our small intestines, liver, gall bladder, immune system and hormone regulatory system to prepare for the next steps of digestion and assimilation.
Macronutrients have special enzymes that break out the vitamins and minerals we need from the foods: Amylase for starches, Protease for proteins, Lipase for fats, etc. These are present throughout the digestive tract, but they are concentrated in the first 10 inches of the small intestines. Without whole foods, these special enzymes will not be released. Without these enzymes, vitamins will not be liberated from the food.
Renting your vitamins
You have actually seen evidence of vitamins that were rejected by your body because they were not properly digested. You may not have recognized the signs. But, have you ever seen your urine change colors after taking a vitamin? This is a sign that the vitamins were rejected. You didn't "buy" the vitamins, you merely rented them! Do you want to know how to keep the vitamins you take?
The answer is simple: Humans are designed to eat food. Take your vitamins with food and you will increase your chance to absorb them. If you have indigestion, try one of the over-the-counter digestive enzyme blends to help out where you may be deficient. Use probiotics from fermented foods as a digestive aid as well. Most important: start with food-based vitamins for the best absorption!
Food-based nutrients
Remember, humans are designed to eat food. That is why we created VitaDaily AM/PM and Wellavoh for Women and Men in a whole food base. VitaDaily contains 25 whole food concentrates that represent many of the foods we eat the least in North America. TriVita Kids Multi-Vitamin also contains 25 whole food concentrates and digestive enzymes for support. Wellavoh contains over 30 whole foods in different blends, including a special blend to aid digestion of the nutrients.
Cravings are your body's way of communicating needs and deficiencies. Taking your nutrients should erase your cravings and make you feel better. But, they won't do their job if they are not digested. Use whole food supplements as a Foundation for the nutrients we need for health today and a healthier tomorrow!

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Antioxidants

From LE Magazine August 2005

By Terri Mitchell

It’s hard to imagine a health world without antioxidants. They stand alongside aspirin and Band-Aids as mainstays of the American landscape. Hundreds line the shelves of Wal-Mart and Rite Aid, avidly sought by the masses. Yet 25 years ago, antioxidants didn’t exist for most people. It was a strange turn of events that made antioxidants mainstream. In a brew that threw together a physicist, an oil chemist, an adventurer, and a Hollywood talk show host, what emerged was the idea that average people could use science to advance their health, and the antioxidant boom was born. Oh, and Playboy. In 1968, MIT wunderkind Durk Pearson read an article from the magazine about Dr. Denham Harman’s theory on free radicals and aging. Intrigued, Pearson and Sandy Shaw dug into the UCLA library and pulled out Harman’s scientific publications. Harman, a chemist working in the then-obscure field of oxygen chemistry for the research arm of Shell Oil, had come up with the notion that the by-products of oxygen reactions (“free radicals”) cause aging. (Anything that aged rubber probably wouldn’t do much for internal organs, Harman rightfully reasoned.) Armed with degrees in physics and chemistry, Pearson and Shaw immediately took to Harman’s scientifically based concept, and began looking into it further. That was fine, and it might have been the end of it except for the well-timed entrance of a genuine Indiana Jones-type adventurer named Jack Wheeler. Wheeler was a regular guest on the then-popular Merv Griffin talk show, and when he went to California for filming, he hung out with Durk and Sandy. They had become immersed in the idea of testing Harman’s theory, and every time Wheeler showed up, they regaled him with their latest ideas about aging and free radicals. Durk’s knack for whacking complicated science down to size got Wheeler to thinking there might be a wider audience for the finer points of free radical chemistry (hey, the stuff was interesting the way Durk explained it). So Wheeler approached Merv about Durk going on the show. Incredibly (it seems now), Merv consented, and the rest is history. Durk’s second visit provoked over 100,000 letters—the single most popular appearance ever recorded for a talk show. As Wheeler tells it, Merv’s entire office was covered in letters asking Durk and Sandy questions about health and aging. Clearly, the idea that average people could use science for their own benefit was immensely popular. Until then, science on free radicals wasn’t even known to most chemists, let alone medical doctors. TV viewers of the time had two health care options: they could go to a doctor who would give them a drug, or consult a nutritionist who would make them eat wheat germ and desiccated liver. Here was something different. Here was a guy in lederhosen talking about a whole new world of antioxidants: vitamins and drugs, amino acids and hormones—things that a person could get ahold of and actually try. This was beyond prednisone and liver tablets. Now people could actually do something about their widening girth, chronic allergies, and cross-linked skin. And aging of all things! Durk said you could actually do something about aging! The fact that the man looked like an escapee from a commune was of no importance. Free radicals—boo! Antioxidants—yea! Americans had new weapons against the things that plagued them. That was then and this is now. Things are a little more complicated than they seemed to be back in the Merv era. The connection between oxidative damage and the degenerative diseases of aging, as well as aging itself, remains strong. Yet the world of antioxidants has gotten substantially more complex. The Vitamin E Shield Vitamin E is one of America’s most popular antioxidant supplements. According to a recent USDA study, that’s a good thing, because only 2.4% of American women and 8% of men get enough of the vitamin from food.1 Vitamin E is fat-soluble and reduces the level of free radicals associated with lipids, such as those that affect cholesterol and those that affect the brain. For this reason, vitamin E has been intensively studied for its ability to prevent cardiovascular and Alzheimer’s diseases. Taking relatively high doses of vitamin E (2000 IU/day) may protect against Alzheimer’s disease, especially if begun early in life and combined with relatively high doses of vitamin C (1000 mg.)2-4 There are two good reasons for people worried about Alzheimer’s to take vitamin E: Alzheimer’s patients have significantly reduced levels of antioxidants in their brains and blood, which can be raised with supplements such as vitamin E; and biochemical studies show that the high level of oxidative stress found in Alzheimer’s patients is ameliorated with antioxidants, including vitamin E.5-9 Vitamin E is one of the bestknown antioxidants, but by no means the only one. Free Radicals and Inflammation One of the most important medical discoveries of the past decade is the connection between inflammation and diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. The finding that people who take anti-inflammatory drugs have a lower risk of cancer was, at first, very surprising. How could something that lowers pain and reduces swelling possibly inhibit cancer? Researchers soon discovered inflammatory factors that enhance the ability of cancer cells to multiply and spread. Now we know that things that block inflammation—including aspirin—also impede cancer. Things have been ratcheted up in the antioxidant world with new research showing that some antioxidants have powerful anti- inflammatory action. Although inflammation involves free radicals, it’s somewhat more complicated, involving the activation and inactivation of genes as well. Some antioxidants also block inflammation in addition to having radical-scavenging effects. For example, when the antioxidant curcumin is given as a dietary supplement to animals with a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, it blocks the oxidation of certain proteins. This is the antioxidant effect, which in turn lowers the activation of inflammation signals. The net result is that abnormal Alzheimer’s proteins are lowered by about 40%.10This may slow disease progression. If this experiment held up in humans, and abnormal proteins could be retarded by 40%, it might translate into years of life that would otherwise be lost to a disease for which there is presently no cure.10 Combinations of antioxidants can have greater effects than single agents on certain types of inflammation. A recent study focuses on an inflammation marker known as C-reactive protein (CRP), which is elevated in people who may appear healthy but could have a sudden heart attack and die. This study is important because it used baboons, whose biochemistry is more human-like than that of rodents.11 It shows that elevated CRP can be dramatically reversed with a combination of two antioxidants. Vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) at a human dose of approximately 200 IU/day reduces CRP by 50%. Adding coenzyme Q10 further reduces CRP by about 20% more, for a 70% reduction overall.11 Two other studies of primates demonstrated beneficial effects of vitamin E, for both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.12,13 Curcumin and vitamin E are only two of the many antioxidants that inhibit inflammation. Information on others can be found in past and future issues of this magazine. The important thing is to be aware that some antioxidants go a step further and reduce inflammation, which may block serious diseases including cancer. Does Diet Increase Free Radicals? When free radicals first hit the radar screen, the emphasis was on taking antioxidants to counteract them. While this is still a good idea, the complementary approach is to generate as few free radicals as possible in the first place. Diet, it has been discovered, can undermine this goal. Iron and copper are required elements of human nutrition. However, an overabundance of either or both promotes free radicals that destroy healthy tissue. Iron has been the focus of several recent studies that are extremely important. One of them shows that the risk of type II diabetes increases with greater amounts of iron in the diet. In a 12-year study of more than 30,000 men, “heme” iron from red meat doubled the risk of type II diabetes.14 Dietary heme from red meat is also a potent promoter of colon cancer.15 And an analysis of two large American studies shows that excess iron increases the risk of a fatal heart attack more than fivefold and raises the risk of all-cause mortality over threefold.16 Iron from plant sources is known as “nonheme” iron and doesn’t appear to carry the same risks. One reason may be that it’s not absorbed as well. Plants contain natural metal inhibitors. The principal source of iron in the American diet is fortified cereals such as Kellogg’s Product 19, which contains 18 mg in a one-cup serving. The iron in fortified cereal, however, is non-heme iron, and its absorption is impeded by the phytate in the cereal. By comparison, three ounces of beef contain 3 mg of heme iron that is readily absorbed.17 The US Food and Nutrition Board has set an upper limit on iron intake of 45 mg/day. Postmenopausal women and men are advised to avoid highly fortified foods and iron supplements.18 Copper is another metal that promotes damaging free radicals. Copper combined with homocysteine (a natural byproduct of methionine metabolism) creates a lethal brew that can harm the brain and heart.19,20 Copper promotes the spread of cancer, and a copper chelator known as tetrathiomolybdate has been successfully used to combat some types of cancer, including squamous cell.21,22 Copper accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.23 The phytocompound curcumin again appears on the scene. It has been proposed that curcumin be used as a treatment to chelate copper and prevent it from triggering free radical damage.24 Curcumin naturally chelates both iron and copper.24 Resveratrol, from wine and grapes, is also a copper chelator that keeps the metal from oxidizing LDL (low-density lipoprotein),25 which can be found in the brain as well as the heart and blood vessels. Although resveratrol doesn’t chelate iron, it’s one of the strongest antioxidants ever discovered for protecting against iron-induced free radicals.26 Quercetin, a natural cousin of resveratrol in grapevine and other plants, neutralizes both iron and copper better than 10 other phytocompounds.27 “Remarkable protection against lipid peroxidation” is how researchers in Italy described quercetin after studying its ability to chelate iron in LDL.28 This is important, because current research indicates that it’s not cholesterol per se that’s bad, it’s oxidized cholesterol—that is, oxidized LDL. The number-one source of copper in the American diet is beef. According to the USDA database, beef contains whopping amounts of copper. Three ounces of American beef contain nearly 4 mg of copper. By comparison, one cup of chickpeas contains 0.58 mg.29 Antioxidants Reduce Mortality Researchers in Belgium theorized that people have a certain balance of antioxidants and free radicals in their bodies, and if the balance were tipped toward free radicals, they would be more likely to die. So they came up with a scoreboard for oxidative balance in a group of smokers.30 Using diet as the basis, the smokers were divided into groups with low, medium, and high oxidative stress (which generates free radicals). Those with the highest iron intake and/or the lowest antioxidant vitamin intake had the worst score. At follow-up 10 years later, those with the worst score (based on high iron intake plus low beta-carotene and vitamin C intake) had a 44% higher risk of all-cause mortality and a 62% higher risk of cancer mortality than those with a good level of antioxidants.30 The study is confirmed by others showing that blood levels of antioxidants are “strongly predictive of mortality.”31Lycopene and other carotenoids can slash the risk of mortality in half in nonsmokers.32 Antioxidant supplements and vitamin E can likewise reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence,33 and lycopene can do the same in relation to oral cancers.34 Adequate levels of vitamin E, vitamin A, and lycopene are associated with a reduced risk of microangiopathy-related cerebral damage,35 and vitamins C and E taken as supplements at levels much higher than the US RDA can help protect against ovarian cancer.36 These findings are from just a few of the hundreds of published studies. Different Radicals, Different Antioxidants Of the several different types of free radicals, some are related to fat and others to water. Antioxidants that are great at scavenging one type of radical may have no effect on another. This was illustrated by researchers at the USDA’s Fruit Laboratory who studied different berries.37 The researchers found, for example, that juice from the “Hull Thornless” blackberry could inhibit four different types of radicals (hydroxyl, superoxide, singlet oxygen, and hydrogen peroxide) a lot better than vitamins E and C and all other berries tested. They discovered that beta-carotene is good at stopping singlet oxygen, but has no effect against hydrogen peroxide. Alpha tocopherol inhibited singlet oxygen radicals by 22.5%, better than strawberries at 15.41%.37 Not only does the type of berry make a difference, but whether it’s organic also counts. Researchers at the University of California at Davis found that organic frozen corn contains 50% more vitamin C than regular frozen corn, and that levels of phenolics were likewise higher in organic frozen strawberries.38 The Body’s Own Antioxidants It’s not possible to avoid free radicals. Humans are bombarded with radical-generating radiation and toxins every day. On top of that, the body makes its own radicals. Energy production creates them and so does the immune system, where radical promoters such as hydrogen peroxide are synthesized inside cells and used to destroy invaders such as bacteria. The body, however, has a remedy for its radicals: it creates its own antioxidants. Some of them are in the form of enzymes, which rely on metals such as selenium and zinc; these include glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Others are sulfur-related, and in-clude lipoic acid, N-acetylcysteine, and glutathione. Cysteine, one of the sulfur-related antioxidants, is a critical component of glutathione, a major antioxidant for the liver, kidney, blood cells, and lungs, which are said to have an since they are exposed to both external and internal radicals.39 Prolonged or very intense oxidative stress can deplete glutathione and leave cells vulnerable to free radical damage. A quick route to glutathione depletion is drug and alcohol abuse. Lipoic acid is another sulfur-related antioxidant synthesized in the body. It is unique because it can scavenge both water- and fat-type radicals, unlike most other antioxidants that go after one or the other. In a study of humans taking 600 mg of lipoic acid a day, three major areas of oxidative stress—LDL peroxidation, protein carbonyls, and isoprostanes—were reduced, a clear demonstration of lipoic acid’s multi-system activity.40 Lipoic acid is well known for its beneficial effects against diabetes, and has been used extensively in Germany and other countries to help manage diabetic neuropathy, protect the eyes, and more.41-43 Not only does lipoic acid help reverse the effects of diabetes, but Korean researchers recently demonstrated that the supplement can also help prevent diabetes from developing in the first place, at least in overweight rats.44 Glutathione levels decrease with age.45 Part of the problem occurs at the genetic level, where the genes that help manufacture it slow down.46 Supplemental lipoic acid not only can help reverse this loss and protect the heart and brain, but also can actually jump-start an aging gene into working again.45-47 Supplemental lipoic acid and L-carnitine are a powerful antidote to age-related antioxidant and energy loss. The two work synergistically in the body’s power plants known as mitochondria.48 Antioxidants and Chemotherapy A study from the MD Anderson Cancer Center found that 62% of the patients at its clinics were taking herbs and/or vitamins,49 yet oncologists know little or nothing about how these supplements might affect conventional cancer treatment. Chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation generate free radicals that damage both cancerous and healthy cells. It was previously thought that causing free radical damage to cancer cells was the principal way these treatments work. However, new research indicates that that’s not necessarily true. Some chemotherapies actually work better when free radicals are reduced.50 There is no definitive answer at the present time as to whether or not antioxidants should be taken during chemotherapy; it may depend on the type of cancer and type of drug being used. Very few studies of antioxidants and chemotherapy have been done to date. Some confirm that antioxidants are beneficial during cancer treatment, while others indicate that some antioxidants may interfere with treatment. Still others show that certain antioxidants may enhance the cancer-killing effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. As an example of the type of research that’s emerging, researchers at Columbia University report that children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia whose intakes of vitamin E, carotenoids, beta-carotene, and vitamin A are below the recommended daily allowance have more side effects from chemotherapy.51 In another study of women undergoing treatment for breast cancer, vitamin E or multivitamins helped maintain white blood cell counts (neutrophils), while folate had a negative impact on white cells.52 British researchers analyzed levels of selenium in people diagnosed with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.53 They found that if patients had high levels of selenium upon entering treatment, they had a better response, could tolerate higher doses, and were more likely to have long-term survival. Italian researchers gave 300 mg of vitamin E a day to people undergoing chemotherapy with the drug cisplatin. When the vitamin was given prior to the drug and for three months after, toxicity to the brain was reduced from 85% to 30%. It’s not known whether a higher dose or different form of vitamin E might have slashed toxicity even further.54 Melatonin is well documented as a powerful antioxidant, particularly against radicals caused by radiation.55 In a study of people with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, 20 mg of melatonin taken each night increased their ability to tolerate chemotherapy and achieve a better result. Three of 49 people were still alive at five years in the melatonin group, whereas none of the people in the group not receiving melatonin was still alive at two years.56 These and other studies are showing the effects of antioxidants in humans treated for cancer. Many animal studies already show beneficial effects for certain antioxidants used in conjunction with certain chemotherapies. But caution is warranted because some antioxidants can interfere with the ability of some chemotherapies to kill cancer cells.57 Conclusion In the relatively short time that antioxidants have been on the radar screen, much progress has been made in understanding just how important they are for health and longevity. The critical roles they play in counteracting the toxic effects of environment and normal cellular processes are undisputed. Block a critical antioxidant in a laboratory fly, and it will live less than a quarter of its life span. Add more of the same antioxidant, and it will live much longer that it’s supposed to.58 People with greater amounts of antioxidants in their blood are more likely to survive cancer and critical illness.59-61 Strange coincidences and blind luck put free radical research on the map—a field that may have been destined to a dusty corner until the day in 1954 when Dr. Denham Harman had the epiphany that the same chemical reactions that age windshield wipers might age human beings. This epiphany was made possible by his training in both fields—petroleum chemistry and medicine, that is. Free radical research might still be languishing in obscure journals had not Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw realized the potential of Harman’s “free radical theory of aging” to be useful to humans in everyday life. Such is science. References 1. Maras JE, Bermudez OI, Qiao N, Bakun PJ, Boody-Alter EL, Tucker KL. Intake of alpha-tocopherol is limited among U.S. adults. J Am Diet Assoc. 2004 Apr;104:567-75. 2. 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Asami DK, Hong Y-J, Barrett DM, Mitchell AE. Comparison of the total phenolic and ascorbic acid content of freeze-dried and air-dried marionberry, strawberry, and corn grown using conventional, organic, and sustainable agricultural practices. J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Feb 26;51(5):1237-41. 39. Comhair SA, Erzurum SC. The regulation and role of extracellular glutathione peroxidase. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2005 Jan-Feb;7(1-2):72-9. 40. Marangon K, Devaraj S, Tirosh O, Packer L, Jialal I. Comparison of the effect of alpha-lipoic acid and alpha-tocopherol supplementation on measures of oxidative stress. Free Radic Biol Med. 1999 Nov;27(9-10):1114-21. 41. Ziegler D, Nowak H, Kempler P, Vargha P, Low PA. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid: a meta-analysis. Diabet Med. 2004 Feb;21(2):114-21. 42. Kowluru RA, Odenbach S. Effect of long-term administration of alpha-lipoic acid on retinal capillary cell death and the development of retinopathy in diabetic rats. Diabetes. 2004 Dec;53(12):3233-8. 43. Hahm JR, Kim BJ, Kim KW. Clinical experience with thioctacid (thioctic acid) in the treatment of distal symmetric polyneuropathy in Korean diabetic patients. J Diabetes Complications. 2004 Mar-Apr;18(2):79-85. 44. Song KH, Lee WJ, Koh JM, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid prevents diabetes mellitus in diabetes-prone obese rats. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Jan 7;326(1):197-202. 45. Suh JH, Wang H, Liu RM, Liu J, Hagen TM. (R)-alpha-lipoic acid reverses the age-related loss in GSH redox status in post-mitotic tissues: evidence for increased cysteine requirement for GSH synthesis. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2004 Mar 1;423(1):126-35. 46. Suh JH, Shenvi SV, Dixon BM, et al. Decline in transcriptional activity of Nrf2 causes age-related loss of glutathione synthesis, which is reversible with lipoic acid. Natl Acad Sci USA. 2004 Mar 9;101(10):3381-6. 47. Smith AR, Shenvi SV, Widlansky M, Suh JH, Hagen TM. Lipoic acid as a potential therapy for chronic diseases associated with oxidative stress. Curr Med Chem. 2004 May;11(9):1135-46. 48. Kumaran S, Savitha S, Anusuya DM, Panneerselvam C. L-carnitine and DL-alpha-lipoic acid reverse the age-related deficit in glutathione redox state in skeletal muscle and heart tissues. Mech Ageing Dev. 2004 Jul;125(7):507-12. 49. Richardson MA. Research of complimentary/alternative medicine therapies in oncology: promising but challenging. J Clin Oncol. 1999 Nov;17(11 Suppl):38-43. 50. Conklin KA. Cancer chemotherapy and antioxidants. J Nutr. 2004 Nov;134(11): 3201S-4S. 51. Kennedy DD, Tucker KL, Ladas ED, Rheingold SR, Blumberg J, Kelly KM. Low antioxidant vitamin intakes are associated with increases in adverse effects of chemotherapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jun;79(6):1029-36. 52. Branda RF, Naud SJ, Brooks EM, Chen Z, Muss H. Effect of vitamin B12, folate, and dietary supplements on breast carcinoma chemotherapy–induced mucositis and neutropenia. Cancer. 2004 Sep 1;101(5):1058-64. 53. Last KW, Cornelius V, Delves T, et al. Presentation serum selenium predits for overall survival, dose delivery, and first treatment response in aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. J Clin Oncol. 2003 Jun 15;21(12):2335-41. 54. Pace A, Savarese A, Picardo M, et al. Neuroprotective effect of vitamin E supplementation in patients treated with cisplatin chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2003 Mar 1;21(5):927-31. 55. Vijayalaxmi, Reiter RJ, Tan DX, Herman TS, Thomas CR Jr. Melatonin as a radioprotective agent: a review. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2004 Jul 1;59(3):639-53. 56. Lissoni P, Chilelli M, Villa S, Cerizza L, Tancini G. Five years survival in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy and melatonin: a randomized trial. J Pineal Res. 2003 Aug;35(1):12-5. 57. Lamson DW, Brignall MS. Antioxidants in cancer therapy; their actions and interactions with oncologic therapies. Altern Med Rev. 1999 Oct;4(5):304-29. 58. Kirby K, Hu J, Hilliker AJ, Phillips JP. RNA interference-mediated silencing of Sod2 in Drosophila leads to early adult-onset mortality and elevated endogenous oxidative stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2002 Dec 10;99(25):16162-7. 59. Jaakkola K, Lahteenmaki P, Laakso J, Harju E, Tykka H, Mahlberg K. Treatment with antioxidant and other nutrients in combination with chemotherapy and irradiation in patients with small-cell lung cancer. Anticancer Res. 1992 May-Jun;12(3):599-606. 60. Lovat R, Preiser JC. Antioxidant therapy in intensive care. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2003 Aug;9(4):266-70. 61. Roth E, Manhart N, Wessner B. Assessing the antioxidative status in critically ill patients. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2004 Mar;7(2):161-8.

Exercise regularly may postpone aging: Israeli study shows

Xinhua News Agency - CEIS

01-21-11

Exercise regularly may postpone aging: Israeli study shows

JERUSALEM, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- A new Israeli study claims it is possible to lessen, and even possibly avoid the rigors and pains of old age -- all by regular exercise.

Details of the study, conducted at Tel Aviv University's (TAU) Sackler School of Medicine, were reported this week by the Israel21C news site.

The secret to aging "gracefully," says Prof. Dafna Benayahu, is in slowing the loss of muscle mass, a fixed and almost inevitable companion of aging.

Cardio-workouts, such as jogging, bicycling and spinning, Benayahu said, help increase the number of muscle stem cells while strengthening their ability to rejuvenate old muscles.

She claimed the study explains for the first time, why older folks who adhered to an exercise regime throughout their lives, are reaping the benefits now.

"The muscles and skeleton in our bodies work jointly," Benayahu explained. "When we age, we experience sarcopenia, a decline in mass and function of muscles, and osteopenia, which is bone loss."

"As a result, our musculoskeletal system is more susceptible to daily wear and tear, which also explains the increased risk of falling in the elderly," she says in the report.

But exercise in itself isn't enough to slow down aging, or its effects on the body, said the report.

Benayahu and her team conducted their experiments on laboratory rats, and expressed their hope that the new study will lead to formulating a new drug that would assist in healing aging muscles faster.

"With this advance, we can dream about a drug for humans that could increase muscle mass and ameliorate the negative effects of aging," says Benayahu, "as well as help the elderly and immobilized to heal their muscles faster."

(c) 2011 Xinhua News Agency - CEIS. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

Copyright Xinhua News Agency - CEIS 2011

Immune System Strengthening

Age, stress, and poor nutrition can sap our immune system of its effectiveness. Influenza provides one example. During young adulthood, when the body can mount a robust immune response to this common virus, influenza is rarely fatal. Among the elderly, however, the virus is associated with significant rates of death and hospitalization (Nichol KL 2005).

The impact of aging on the immune system is profound. As people age, a number of critical immune system components are reduced or slowed, including cellular response, response to vaccines, and antibody production. At the same time, susceptibilities to infection and cancer are increased. Some of this increased susceptibility to disease is linked to chronic inflammation, which is associated with many disorders of aging (Ershler WB et al 2000; Hamerman D 1999; Taaffe DR et al 2000).

Age, however, isn't the sole culprit in reduced immune function. There is no question that exercise, stress, and nutritional status play an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system. Consider just a few of the research findings:

• Dietary deficiencies and malabsorption alter metabolism and exacerbate chronic disorders (Kaput J et al 2004). An imbalance in the intake of dietary fat, carbohydrate, and protein can contribute to the development of diseases (Kaput J et al 2004). On the other hand, there is overwhelming evidence of the benefits of a good diet on reducing the risk of many chronic diseases (Ames BN 2001; Kaput J et al 2004).
• Malnutrition causes a decline in immune function and increased susceptibility to infection (Brussow H et al 1995; Lotfy O et al 1998; delaFuente M et al 1998). Likewise, a vitamin or mineral deficiency can suppress immune system function (delaFuente M et al 1998). Correct choices of supplements, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, probiotics, and botanicals have been shown to boost immunity and may also reduce the risk of diseases in healthy Individuals (Kaminogawa S et al 2004).
• Psychological health influences the immune system and the course of many diseases (Kiecolt-Glaser J et al 2000). Depression, stress, and anxiety increase the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals in the blood, which in turn can compromise, depress, or suppress the immune system (Appels A et al 2000; Dentino AN et al 1999; Maes M et al 1997; Maes M et al 1998; Maes M et al 1999; Boscarino JA et al 1999; Lutgendorf SK et al 1999; Zhou D et al 1993; Papanicolaou DA et al 1998).
• High levels of anxiety are associated with decreased immune function (Ironson G et al 1990; Koh KB et al 1998; Boscarino JA et al 1999; Kiecolt-Glaser J et al 2000).
• Chronic stress can provoke long-term increases in pro-inflammatory chemicals. For example, caregiving for a relative with a serious medical condition results in long-term immune suppression among women (Lutgendorf SK et al 1999).
• Chronic stress from persistent marital problems, burnout at work (Lerman Y et al 1999), and lengthy unemployment (Arnetz BB et al 1991) can also lead to immune alterations that persist for years (Boscarino JA et al 1999; Kiecolt-Glaser JK et al 1987; Kiecolt-Glaser JK et al 1997; Kiecolt-Glaser JK et al 1988; Kiecolt-Glaser JK et al 1993).

Life Extension believes that all aging people should take prospective action to bolster their immune systems. This means reducing negative psychological stress; following a physician-approved, moderate, long-term exercise program; and following a diet and consuming nutrients that have been shown to enhance the immune response and promote health.

The Immune System: How It Works

The immune system is an elegant and complex set of components that combine to fight disease, infections, and various pathogens. A healthy immune system distinguishes organisms in the body as “self” or “non-self.” An intact immune response identifies pathogens as “non-self” and rapidly destroys them. A depressed immune system, by contrast, will allow invading organisms to flourish.

Furthermore, when the immune system mistakenly recognizes a “self” cell as “non-self” and mounts an immune response, the result is an autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis.

In general, the body has two primary defense mechanisms: natural immunity and acquired immunity. Natural immunity is the “first responder” to an attack. The natural immune response relies on various white blood cells and physical barriers to block or immediately attack any foreign invader and attempt to destroy it.

Acquired immunity, on the other hand, involves antibodies that are created in response to specific foreign antigens. This sort of response requires a few days for the body to recognize the invader and manufacture antibodies against it. Once the body has manufactured a particular antibody for a specific invader, the immune system response is faster and more effective the next time that invader appears (Janeway CA et al 1999; Beers MB 2004).

The natural immune system relies on a host of weapons to protect the body, including various kinds of white blood cells (see Table 1). These natural defenses include the following organs, chemicals, and processes:

Physical and chemical barriers. The body's first lines of defense are the skin and mucous membranes, which prevent the entrance of many pathogens. There are many secondary barriers. For example, tears, sweat, and saliva combat some bacteria, and the hydrochloric acid and protein-digesting enzymes secreted by the stomach are lethal to many, but not all, pathogens (Janeway CA et al 1999; Beers MB 2004).

Inflammation and fever. Inflammation is a nonspecific response to infection or tissue injury. The four signs of the inflammatory response are redness, swelling, heat, and pain. Inflammation begins when cells release certain cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha ) (Janeway CA et al 1999; Beers MB 2004).

Phagocytic cells. Phagocytic cells engulf foreign cells and destroy them. The phagocytic cells are white blood cells and include neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages; they have short lives and must be continually replenished by the body. Neutrophils and macrophages are a very important aspect of the innate defenses of the body (Janeway CA et al 1999; Beers MB 2004).

Natural killer cells. Natural killer cells destroy certain cancer cells and a variety of pathogens. Killer cells are active secretors of interferon, an important and potent protein. Natural killer cells attach directly to the surfaces of infected cells and cause them to burst. They can also kill a pathogen by making its outer membrane leak (Janeway CA et al 1999; Beers MB 2004).

Antimicrobial proteins. Infected immune cells produce interferon, which causes healthy cells to produce antiviral proteins. There are more than 30 distinct antiviral proteins. When an individual complement (immune system) protein is activated by infecting organisms, it triggers a cascade that activates other complement proteins. Activated proteins can destroy bacteria while sparing host cells or cause the infected cells to become engulfed by phagocytic cells (Janeway CA et al 1999; Beers MB 2004).

Cytokines. To communicate and share information, cells use chemicals. Each chemical sends a different message to other cells. These chemical messengers are called cytokines. Cytokines regulate immunity, inflammation, and the production of white blood cells. There are dozens of cytokines; each performs a specific set of activities against specific target cells. They can act in concert or in opposition. Cytokines are often produced in a cascade; in other words, a cytokine stimulates its target cells to make additional cytokines. TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, and type I interferon are important cytokines in the regulation of natural immunity.

Acute-phase proteins. The acute-phase response is activated during critical illnesses. When phagocytic cells bind pathogens, they release pro-inflammatory cytokines. This response enables the body to recognize invaders before the immune responses have been fully activated. Acute-phase proteins promote inflammation and stimulate phagocytes to move where they are needed.

Table 1. Major Cells of the Immune System (Janeway CA et al 1999; Nairm R 2000)
Cell	Activity
Lymphocytes
Natural killer cells	Destroy a variety of tumor cells and antibody-coated target cells; not antigen specific.
Cytotoxic T (CD8+) cells	Secrete cytokines that attract macrophages and increase their phagocytic activity; destroy target cells that display the same antigen that activated their progenitor cell; lyse infected cells by releasing toxins. Cytotoxic T cells fight foreign invaders by destroying cells that display the antigen that activated its progenitor cells (immunological surveillance).
Helper T (T4+) cells	Stimulate cellular immunity and inflammation; secrete cytokines that stimulate proliferation of B cells and other T cells; amplify antibody production by plasma cells.
Suppressor T cells	Suppress activity of naïve (unstimulated) and effector T cells.
Memory T cells	Recognize antigens that have invaded in the past, which allows for a larger and more rapid response when there is a second encounter with that antigen.
B lymphocytes (B cells)	Differentiate into antibody-producing plasma cells; process and present antigen to helper T cells; display immunoglobulin and class II MHC antigens.
Plasma cells	Main antibody-secreting cells.
Memory B cells	Descendents of B cells that remain after an immune response.
Phagocytes
Macrophages	Phagocytize antigens, then process and present them to T cells for destruction; attack dead and defective blood cells; secrete cytokines that induce proliferation of B and T cells.
Neutrophils	Major defense against bacteria; first on scene to fight infection.
Eosinophils	Active against parasites and commonly elevated in allergies.
Dendritic cells (interdigitating reticular cells)	Process and present antigen to T and B cells; most potent stimulators of T cell responses.
Antigen-presenting cells	Engulf antigens, process them internally, and then display fragments of them on their surface; surface markers alert other immune cells that there is an invader. Identified antigen-presenting cells: dendritic cells, macrophages, and B lymphocytes.

Inflammation, Free Radicals, and Cytokines

Although acute inflammation is an important immune system response, chronic inflammation has also been linked to many diseases, including heart disease. Besides the pro-inflammatory cytokines, inflammation may be related to the overproduction of free radicals (Janeway CA et al 1999).

A free radical is an atom or group of atoms (i.e., a molecule) with unpaired electrons. Free radicals are extremely unstable and react easily with other molecules, thereby changing their chemical composition. Oxygen is especially susceptible to free radical formation. The free radicals derived from oxygen are known as reactive oxygen species, or oxidants.

When the body has increased levels of reactive oxygen species (i.e., when it is experiencing oxidative stress), widespread damage may result. At high concentrations free radicals can damage fats, proteins, and nucleic acids. They can also cause cell death, gene mutations, and cancer ( Moslen MT 1994). Several diseases may be the result of cellular and genetic damage caused by free radicals, including several immune disorders ( Moslen MT 1994).

In order to reduce the damage caused by elevated free radicals and cytokines (which are both part of the natural immune system), the body fights back by producing antioxidants and hormones such as cortisol to suppress the immune system (Grimble RF 1996). Antioxidants are valuable because they pair with unstable free radicals, thereby limiting the damage free radicals can inflict on other cells.

What You Have Learned So Far... The immune system declines as we age, making us more susceptible to various diseases and pathogens. The immune system's health is closely related to stress, frequency of exercise, and nutritional status. Poor intake of vital nutrients is closely associated with a depressed immune response and an increased rate of disease. The immune system has two primary defense mechanisms: natural, which uses white blood cells and physical barriers to protect us from disease, and acquired, in which specialized cells generate antibodies to defend against specific pathogens. Inflammation is caused by multiple factors, including microorganisms, physical stress, tissue death, and inappropriate immune responses. Chronic inflammation is linked to diseases such as heart disease. Inflammation is mediated by cytokines and free radicals. It is an important immune system response, but it can also be dangerous because a chronic inflammatory state is linked to various diseases of aging. Free radicals are unstable molecules that readily react with other molecules, especially oxygen, to change their chemical composition. Antioxidants are used by the body to scavenge for free radicals and limit the amount of damage they can cause.

Nutrition, Immunity, and Your Genes Have you ever noticed how some people seem never to get sick, but others are constantly battling colds and the flu? Researchers are just now beginning to understand how genes affect nutrition and overall immunity. It turns out that the overall risk of contracting many diseases is influenced by genetics (Mathew C 2001). A new field of nutritional genomics explores the interaction of nutrition, genes, and environmental factors, including diet (Kaput J et al 2004). This emerging field of science evolved from the Human Genome Project, which mapped the human genome and identified many genes that cause disease. The association between diet and chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, and cancer is well known (Jenkins DJ et al 1997; Jenkins DJ et al 1999; Jenkins DJ et al 2000; Kaput J et al 2004). Nutrients supplied by food are an important variable in gene expression. Deficiency of some essential nutrients can alter metabolism and the structure of DNA (Kaput J et al 2004). A well-studied example of the relationship between genetics and diet is type 2 diabetes. This condition is associated with a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight, and ethnicity. Although some individuals are genetically predisposed to this condition, many can control symptoms through exercise and a change in diet (Kaput J et al 2004). In the future, genetic testing might be able to help physicians recommend specific, personal nutritional programs that are tailored to each individual's unique genetic makeup and that will help us fight disease and stay healthy.

Supporting a Healthy Immune System

A healthy immune system grows ever more important as we age, and immune status is closely associated with nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction. Older people and people with compromised immune systems should talk to their physician about exercising, reducing stress, and designing an active, immune-boosting nutritional program.

Glutathione boosters. Glutathione is probably the body's most important cellular defense against free radical damage. It is a free radical scavenger and major antioxidant.

Low levels of glutathione are linked to many diseases. Malnutrition and aging (Cai J et al 2000) deplete glutathione.Glutathione is also involved in one of the major liver detoxification pathways.

Glutathione is produced in the body, and it is not easily absorbed when taken orally. Instead, glutathione precursors may be used by the body to increase glutathione (Bounous G 2000). Glutathione precursors include glutamine, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) , and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) (Devlin T 2002). It can also be upregulated by lipoic acid and vitamins C and E.

Glutamine. Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body (Roth E 2002). Glutamine depletion causes downregulation of glutathione levels in the body (Roth E 2002), and dietary supplementation increases it (Roth E 2002). Glutamine has immunoregulative activities (Roth E 2002; Li J et al 1995). Lymphocytes and macrophages use glutamine at a very high rate (Newsholme E 1994). Glutamine stimulates lymphocyte production and killer immune cell activity (Rohde T et al 1995; Rohde T et al 1998; Rohde T et al 1996; Jurectic A et al 1994).

Glutamine depletion slows wound healing and increases the risk of organ failure under certain conditions (Wilmore DW 1991). Endurance athletes whose muscles do not fully recover between workouts have decreased glutamine levels (Shephard RJ et al 1998; Castell LM et al 1998). Some scientists believe that intense physical exercise or stress due to trauma, burns, or sepsis (blood infection) forces the body into glutamine debt, which temporarily compromises immune function (Newsholme E 1994).

SAMe. SAMe is a natural amino acid present throughout the body. It is crucially important because it is involved in dozens of chemical reactions, including the synthesis of DNA and RNA, proteins, melatonin, creatine, and many others. SAMe is an important energy source (Osman E et al 1993) and is intrinsically related to the synthesis of glutathione.

NAC. NAC acts as an antioxidant and is recommended for conditions that increase oxidative stress or decreaseglutathione levels (Burgunder JM et al 1989). NAC has a protective effect on DNA and is a powerful free radical scavenger. It increases the synthesis of glutathione only when there is a demand and is thought to concentrate only in tissues where it is required (Burgunder JM et al 1989). NAC can modulate the concentrations of certain cytokines. In laboratory studies, it has increased IL-1 and IL-2 levels when they are at low concentrations and decreased these cytokines at higher concentrations (Baier JE et al 1996). It has also demonstrated an ability to inhibit cell growth and proliferation in cancer cell lines (Chiao JW et al 2000) and prevent the transformation of carcinogens into more toxic compounds (De Flora S 1984; Wilpart M et al 1986).

Antioxidants and Coenzyme Q10

Because of their ability to scavenge free radicals, antioxidants are important immune-system boosters. Supplementation with antioxidants like vitamins C and E and the B vitamins may improve immune function (Grimble RF 1997), and supplementation with vitamin A stimulates antibody-mediated immune responses (Cantorna M et al 1995).

Vitamin E is a powerful fat-soluble antioxidant. It protects cellular membranes of the immune system and other cells by trapping free radicals and enhances the effectiveness of lymphocytes (Kaminogawa S et al 2004).

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a key component of the immune system and antioxidant defense (Kagan VE et al 1991; Kagan VE et al 1992; Peters E et al 1993). It prevents the production of free radicals and reduces DNA damage in immune cells. Moreover, vitamin C downregulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and participates in recycling vitamin E (Schwager J et al 1998).

B vitamins indirectly contribute to antioxidant defenses and have considerable influence on immune function. Vitamins B12 and B6 are cofactors in the creation of cysteine, a key component in glutathione synthesis. Deficiencies in B vitamins and vitamin E create abnormalities in the immune response (Murrary R et al 2000).

Lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant with antiviral, free-radical-quenching, and immune-boosting qualities. It is unusual because it is soluble in both fat and water (Kagan VE et al 1992) and active in both its oxidized and reduced form (Bustamante J et al 1998). Lipoic acid is able to regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and raise glutathione levels significantly (Packer L et al 1995; Packer L et al 1997; Scholich H et al 1989; Fuchs J et al 1993).

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine. It is present in high quantities in the heart muscle and has shown a wide range of benefits. It is an essential cofactor in the production of adenosine triphosphate, which is the primary source of energy for all the body's cells. Levels of CoQ10 decline naturally as humans age, which may be related to increased lipid peroxidation. CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant and scavenger of free radicals. It inhibits lipid peroxidation and works synergistically with vitamin E (Alleva R et al 1995). CoQ10 has an important role in the stimulation of the immune system and improves several parameters of immune function (Folkers K et al 1985).

Whey protein. Whey protein is isolated from milk. The proteins in whey are very available to the body, and whey protein contains potent antioxidants. Its antioxidant activity is due to its high concentrations of glutamate and cysteine, which are precursors to glutathione (Walzem RL et al 2002). Whey also contains several substances that enhance the immune system, including the following:

• Beta-lactoglobulin, which modulates lymphatic responses (Guimont C et al 1997)
• Alpha-lactalbumin, which has a direct effect on B and T lymphocytes and has the ability to reduce oxidative stress
• Lactoperoxidase, which reduces toxic hydrogen peroxide (Sundberg J et al 1991; Ha E et al 2003)

Lactoferrin, a major component of whey protein, also acts as an antioxidant (Steijns JM et al 2000) and can inhibit the absorption of bacteria through the intestinal wall. Whey protein can activate natural killer cells (Nishiya K et al 1982). In the laboratory, lactoferrin inhibited metastasis of cancer cells in mice (Marshall K 2004) and increased IL-2 and natural killer activity (Watanabe A et al 2000).

Minerals

Metallic micronutrients such as copper, zinc (Prasad AS 2000), and selenium influence the activity of antioxidant enzymes and can reduce oxidative stress. Among children, deficiencies of zinc, copper, and selenium have been linked to immune deficiency and infection (Cunningham-Rundles S et al 2005).

Selenium is involved in several key metabolic pathways (Rotruck JT et al 1973; McKenzie RC et al 1998; McKenzie RC 2000). Glutathione peroxidase, the enzyme that recycles glutathione, depends on the presence of selenium for its antioxidant activity (Arthur JR 2003). Plant food is a major dietary source of selenium—for example, garlic is rich in selenium—while the highest concentration of dietary selenium occurs in meat.

Zinc deficiency is linked to impaired immune function, partly because of decreased T lymphocyte and B lymphocyte function. Zinc has shown the ability to decrease inflammation and the production of IL-2 (Tanaka S et al 2005). Copper and zinc together have been shown to stimulate internally produced antioxidants such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (Kuppusamy UR et al 2005).

For safety information on copper, zinc, and selenium, see Safety Caveats at the end of this chapter.

DHEA and Immune Function

Dehydroepiandrosterone, more commonly known as DHEA, is produced by the adrenal glands. DHEA has over 100 metabolites and is used by the body for estrogen and testosterone production.

Blood levels of DHEA rise until they peak in the third decade of life, then rapidly decline. Endocrinologists and anti-aging researchers have been focusing on this decrease in DHEA, which in turn produces a decline in other steroidal hormones.

Animal experiments suggest that DHEA has many biological effects, including anticancer, immune-enhancing, neurotrophic, and general anti-aging effects (Bovenberg SA et al 2005). A recently published review article of DHEA supplementation in men found convincing research showing positive effects of DHEA on the cardiovascular system, body composition, the skin, the central nervous system, sexual function, and the immune system (Saad F et al 2005).

On the cellular level, DHEA exerts its actions on peripheral target tissues either indirectly, following its conversion to androgens, estrogens, or both, or directly, as a steroid hormone (Perrini et al 2005). Lower DHEA levels are associated with decreased production of IL-2 and an increase in the presence of IL-6, which is a pro-inflammatory cytokine (Hammer F et al 2005). A study was performed on younger and older men to compare DHEA blood levels and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in populations of varying ages. The results showed significant changes in sex steroid metabolism by human PBMCs with aging, which may represent a link to age-associated changes in the immune system (Hammer F et al 2005).

The immunomodulatory effects of DHEA in various autoimmune diseases have been studied. Relative reductions in DHEA have been noted in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, HIV and AIDS, sepsis, and trauma (Chen CC et al 2004).

Overall, DHEA blood levels have been used as diagnostic factors in evaluating immune senescence. Supplemental DHEA has been clinically valuable when used to restore youthful hormonal blood levels in aging, stressed, and immune-compromised individuals (Valenti G 2004).

One of DHEA's metabolites, 7-keto DHEA, has also been studied for its ability to support the immune system. A study at the Minnesota Applied Research Center and the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center in Minneapolis found that four weeks of 7-keto DHEA supplementation improved immune function in elderly men and women (Zenk JL 2004).

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 22 women and 20 men over the age of 65 took either 100 mg of 7-keto twice daily or a placebo. Patients in the 7-keto group had a significant decrease in immune suppressor cells and a significant increase in immune helper cells. The 7-keto group also saw reductions in diastolic blood pressure and an increase in neutrophils, the first white blood cells to respond to infection.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil and flaxseed oil, have been studied for their anti-inflammatory action (Kaminogawa S et al 2004). Polyunsaturated fatty acid reduces the inflammatory response caused by TNF-alpha (Johnson J et al 1993; Pedersen BK et al 2000), discussed above.

Most people in the United States have an imbalance in the ratio of omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids because of diets high in animal fat and vegetable oils high in omega-6 (e.g., corn oil). This imbalance has been associated with inflammation (Calder PC 1997). The ratio can be improved by taking supplemental omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to

• Counteract suppression of the cellular immune system (Pedersen BK et al 2000)
• Suppress TNF-alpha production and have an anti-inflammatory effect (Grimble RF et al 2002)

Probiotics

The gastrointestinal tract relies on live bacteria (microflora) to help support a robust immune response. These probiotic bacteria are important because they help prevent foreign bacteria and allergens from passing through the intestinal wall and are important to the overall health of the intestinal immune system (Marteau P et al 2001; Conway PL et al 1987; Robins-Brown R et al 1981). Probiotics are found in foods such as yogurt and kefir, which enhance the microflora in the gut by providing additional probiotic bacteria (Fuller R 1991; Isolauri E et al 2001). The most commonly used probiotic bacteria are lactobacillus and bifidobacterium, found in yogurts.

Probiotics also strengthen the intestinal immunological barrier. Lactobacillus stimulates natural immunity by improving phagocytic and natural killer immune cell activity (Kaminogawa S et al 2004).

Grape Seed Extract

Chemicals in grape seeds known as proanthocyanidins have potent antioxidant and immune-boosting properties (Ashraf-Khorassani M et al 2004; Bagchi D et al 1997; Bagchi D et al 1998). They increase the activity of internal antioxidants such as glutathione and SOD (Peng Q et al 2000).

The antioxidants in grape seed extract are twice as potent as vitamin E and four times as potent as vitamin C (Bagchi D et al 1997; Bagchi D et al 1998). In laboratory studies, proanthocyanidins increased the power of natural killer cells, enhanced the production of IL-2, and decreased production of IL-6 (Cheshier JE et al 1996).

Green Tea Extract

Green tea extract, which contains a class of compounds known as catechins, has become increasingly popular as scientists learn more about its antioxidant and free radical–scavenging abilities. One of the most potent catechins in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (Chen A et al 2002). Green tea extract is also rich in vitamins C and B (Hasegawa N et al 2002; Hasegawa R et al 1998).

Green tea has a positive influence on lipid metabolism and exerts anticancer effects. Green tea modulates the inflammatory processes and protects against DNA damage (Lin AM et al 1998). The catechins from green tea demonstrate considerable antioxidant activity (Chen A et al 2002) and are potent free radical scavengers (Zhong Z et al 2003; Jimenez-Lopez JM et al 2004).

Life Extension Foundation Recommendations The nutritional recommendations discussed in this chapter, coupled with a healthy lifestyle, may improve the function of the immune system by increasing antioxidant levels in the body and minimizing free radical damage. Some of the recommendations in the following list are based on special products created by Life Extension to address multiple conditions. In some cases, individually listed ingredients are also present in the recommended Life Extension Products. If you have questions, call 1-800-544-4440 to speak with a knowledgeable health advisor. The following supplements may protect and enhance immune function: Life Extension Mix—as directed on label Enhanced Life Extension Whey Protein—20 to 30 g daily DHEA—A beginning dose of 15 to 75 mg, followed by blood testing after three to six weeks to guarantee optimal levels L-Carnitine—1 to 2 g daily CoQ10—100 to 200 mg daily with food Lactoferrin—1 to 3 capsules daily Primal Defense Probiotic blend—900 mg in 3 divided doses daily; best taken with water on an empty stomach Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)—700 mg EPA and 500 mg DHA Selenium—200 mcg daily Thymic Immune Factors—2 capsules daily Zinc—30 mg daily Garlic extract—1200 mg daily with food Grape seed extract—100 to 200 mg daily Green tea extract—725 mg daily Glutathione—1000 mg daily NAC—600 to 1800 mg daily R-lipoic acid—200 mg twice a day

Immune System Safety Caveats An aggressive program of dietary supplementation should not be launched without the supervision of a qualified physician. Several of the nutrients suggested in this protocol may have adverse effects. These include: Coenzyme Q10 See your doctor and monitor your blood glucose level frequently if you take CoQ10 and have diabetes. Several clinical reports suggest that taking CoQ10 may improve glycemic control and the function of beta cells in people who have type 2 diabetes. Statin drugs (such as lovastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin) are known to decrease CoQ10 levels. DHEA Do not take DHEA if you could be pregnant, are breastfeeding, or could have prostate, breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer. DHEA can cause androgenic effects in woman such as acne, deepening of the voice, facial hair growth and hair loss. EPA/DHA Consult your doctor before taking EPA/DHA if you take warfarin (Coumadin). Taking EPA/DHA with warfarin may increase the risk of bleeding. Discontinue using EPA/DHA 2 weeks before any surgical procedure. Garlic Garlic has blood-thinning, anticlotting properties. Discontinue using garlic before any surgical procedure. Garlic can cause headache, muscle pain, fatigue, vertigo, watery eyes, asthma, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea. Ingesting large amounts of garlic can cause bad breath and body odor. Green Tea Consult your doctor before taking green tea extract if you take aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin). Taking green tea extract and aspirin or warfarin can increase the risk of bleeding. Discontinue using green tea extract 2 weeks before any surgical procedure. Green tea extract may decrease platelet aggregation. Green tea extract contains caffeine, which may produce a variety of symptoms including restlessness, nausea, headache, muscle tension, sleep disturbances, and rapid heartbeat. L-Carnitine L-carnitine can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea. Lipoic Acid Consult your doctor before taking lipoic acid if you have diabetes and glucose intolerance. Monitor your blood glucose level frequently. Lipoic acid may lower blood glucose levels. NAC NAC clearance is reduced in people who have chronic liver disease. Do not take NAC if you have a history of kidney stones (particularly cystine stones). NAC can produce a false-positive result in the nitroprusside test for ketone bodies used to detect diabetes. Consult your doctor before taking NAC if you have a history of peptic ulcer disease. Mucolytic agents may disrupt the gastric mucosal barrier. NAC can cause headache (especially when used along with nitrates) and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea. Selenium High doses of selenium (1000 micrograms or more daily) for prolonged periods may cause adverse reactions. High doses of selenium taken for prolonged periods may cause chronic selenium poisoning. Symptoms include loss of hair and nails or brittle hair and nails. Selenium can cause rash, breath that smells like garlic, fatigue, irritability, and nausea and vomiting. Zinc High doses of zinc (above 30 milligrams daily) can cause adverse reactions. Zinc can cause a metallic taste, headache, drowsiness, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea. High doses of zinc can lead to copper deficiency and hypochromic microcytic anemia secondary to zinc-induced copper deficiency. High doses of zinc may suppress the immune system. For more information see the Safety Appendix