Healthy aging involves genetics, diet, lifestyle and supplementation with molecules that support cellular health. As humans age, the production of beneficial molecules and proteins decreases.
Taurine is an amino acid found in meats and seafood that can also be made in the human body, but production goes down during the life span. Benefits of taurine include
- Anti-oxidant properties
- May reduce triglycerides and improve lipid profiles
- Improved cardiac function
- Promotes nitric oxide formation
- Lower levels of taurine were associated with cell senescence (dying cells) and shorter telomeres, which protect DNA.
- Supplementation at 1 gram per day for 8 weeks supported reduced insulin resistance and lower biomarkers of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.
- 1.6 grams per day for 12 weeks improved blood pressure and vascular function.
Spermidine can also be made in the human body. Dietary sources include wheat germ, cruciferous vegetable and many other foods. Like taurine the body gets less efficient at creating it and this loss of production is believed to contribute to diseases of aging.
- Encourages autophagy, the cellular recycling process.
- Exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
- In patients who were admitted to the hospital with a heart attack, higher spermidine levels were associated with a reduced risk for a secondary cardiac event.
- In adults aged 60-92 with cognitive decline, spermidine supplementation at 1.9 –3.3 mg per day improved memory and other cognitive skills. Greater improvement was seen at the higher dose.
- Higher intake of spermidine was associated with lower blood pressure and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Lithium is a mineral that is found in rocks and soil and even in water. It has been reported that in areas with a higher level of lithium in the drinking water the population experiences lower death rates, lower suicide rates, increased longevity and lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Low dose lithium supplementation was shown to benefit cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, metabolic and cognitive function, inflammation and acts as an antioxidant.
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