How the Right Nutrients Help Keep Memory Sharp

03/14/2008

By David N. Ilfeld, M.D.
Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, & NSI Scientific Advisory Board Member

Many people say they are concerned about the possibility of losing memory and cognitive function. There are two major causes of severe memory loss. The most frequent cause is, in part, due to deposits of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (from abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau protein) with loss of microtubule transport in neurons leading to communication problems between neurons and later with a massive loss of neurons. The other major cause is due to multiple episodes of decreased blood flow through the arteries in the brain leading to multiple areas of localized brain damage.

The point of this Newsletter is the hypothesis that risk of memory loss may be reduced and memory health may be improved in some people by supplementing with neurologically beneficial nutrients

Phosphatidylserine is a cell membrane phospholipid that improves membrane flexibility and permeability which helps connections between neurons and improves the release of two important neurotransmitters, acetylcholine and dopamine. Three randomized double blind, placebo controlled trials (one for two months and two for three months) reported that people with poor cognitive health given phosphatidylserine (300 mg daily) significantly improved attention, memory, verbal skills and daily activities^1-3.

Ginkgo is the oldest tree in the world. It can live up to 1,000 years and is highly resistant to insects, fungi and pollution. Ginkgo biloba extract has several antioxidants: quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetine, proanthocyanidins, and the unique bilobalides and ginkgolides (which have not been found in any other plants). Ginkgo biloba extract has several major effects: antioxidant protection from free radicals within cells including protecting mitochondria, dilating blood vessels by releasing endothelium-derived relaxing factor, inhibiting platelet-aggregating factor and thereby blocking blood clots, inhibition of stress response of excessive glucocorticoid steroid, and promoting the release of alpha amyloid precursor protein which is neuroprotective and enhances memory. The large majority of double blind, placebo controlled clinical trials have found supplementation with ginkgo biloba extract to be effective for helping people with poor memory function^4-7. Most of these clinical studies used 240 mg per day which is why NeuroPower® has 240 mg of standardized ginkgo biloba extract.

NeuroPower® has choline and B-complex, including a high dose of 1,000 mcg of the neuroactive form of vitamin B12, methylcobalamin, which are important for brain function. Vinpocetine is included as it has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, enhances the brain's utilization of oxygen and increases the synthesis of several neurotransmitters that affect memory recall, focus and mood.

Approximately 80% of people are considered to have a magnesium deficiency (as compared to RDA levels). An epidemiological study of 26,556 Finnish male smokers reported that men with the highest magnesium intake, average 589 mg per day, (as compared to the lowest consumption averaging 373 mg per day) were associated with a 15% lower risk of blockage of blood flow to the brain with permanent brain damage⁸. NeuroPower® has 200 mg of magnesium which, in addition to the magnesium in food, may help people to reach optimal total levels of magnesium intake when combined with a person's dietary intake.

Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant which is active in water-soluble as well as lipid-soluble areas of the body including the brain. Furthermore, alpha lipoic acid can regenerate oxidized, inactive vitamin E, vitamin C and CoQ10 back to being active antioxidants. Double-blind placebo controlled trials have shown that alpha lipoic acid 600 mg per day can help improve nerve health^9,10. The most common cause of poor nerve health is elevated blood sugar levels so common in today's society because of the overconsumption of sugar and other simple carbs.

Placebo controlled studies have also shown that acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) can also help improve nerve health¹¹. The effect of acetyl-L-carnitine on promoting healthy memory is mixed with some of the studies reporting a beneficial effect¹². The carnitine studies utilized 1,500 to 3,000 mg per day. NSI® scientific medical doctor advisors consider 1,000 mg of acetyl-L-carnitine as a good maintenance dose for long term administration when combined with other beneficial nutrients such as CoQ10 and alpha lipoic acid.

Mitochondria are small compartments within all of our cells that function as power plants by breaking down food and generating about 95% of our cellular energy (stored as ATP). One of the critical components of aging is that mitochondria also produce high levels of free radicals, which can damage the mitochondria. Unfortunately, mitochondrial function decreases as we get older.

Acetyl-L-carnitine increases the transport of fatty acids into mitochondria. Alpha lipoic acid is an essential cofactor for several mitochondrial enzyme complexes that catalyze critical reactions related to energy production and the catabolism (breakdown) of fatty acids and amino acids. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is part of the electron transport chain in mitochondria and is critical for mitochondrial energy production. Acetyl-L-carnitine, alpha lipoic acid and/or CoQ10 increase mitochondrial energy production which also increases dangerous free radical formation.

CoQ10 and alpha lipoic acid are powerful antioxidants which protect the cells and particularly the mitochondria from free radical damage. The combination of CoQ10, alpha lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine may be synergistic for increasing mitochondrial energy production while protecting mitochondria from free radical damage and may increase mental stamina and physical stamina. For example, studies in elderly rats have shown a synergistic improvement using alpha lipoic acid together with acetyl-L-carnitine for improving memory tasks by lowering oxidative damage and improving cellular energy production in mitochondria¹³.

A placebo-controlled study of extremely aged people (over one hundred years old) given L-carnitine reported reduction in total fat mass, increase of total muscle mass, improvement in mental fatigue as well as physical fatigue, and improvement in cognitive health¹⁴. This shows that it is never too late to start nutritional supplementation. Clinical studies have also reported that giving either phosphatidylserine, ginkgo biloba extract or acetyl-L-carnitine may improve mood in people who are feeling unhappy¹⁵. Ginkgo biloba extract has also been reported to help anxious people¹⁶. Carnitine has also been reported to improve attention in people with problems concentrating¹⁷.

The new NeuroPower® Version 4 has several new nutrients that may be neurologically beneficial including green tea extract (500 mg) and turmeric extract with curcumin. Three studies reported that drinking five cups or more of green tea daily was associated with more than a 50% reduction, a 65% reduction and a 69% reduction in the risk of brain damage from decreased cerebral blood flow^18-20. Curcumin from turmeric extract has been shown to help protect the brain in animal experiments of temporarily blocking arterial blood flow to the brain (ischemia/reperfusion injury) as well as for decreased cognitive health in animal models with amyloid-beta accumulation followed by brain damage²¹.

Severe memory loss in humans from accumulation of amyloid-beta and tau fibrils is also associated with iron dysfunction. Both EGCG (the most active antioxidant in green tea) and curcumin are anti-inflammatory nutrients and, together with alpha lipoic acid, are also antioxidants and iron-chelating agents in which their multiple effects may assist them in being more effective.

Pine bark extract (200 mg) and pomegranate extract (200 mg) have also been added to NeuroPower Version 4. Pine bark extract has been reported to improve attention and concentration in people with problems of attention and concentration²². A placebo-controlled study of people with narrowing of their carotid arteries (which are major arteries in the neck for blood flow to the brain) reported that drinking one glass a day of pomegranate juice resulted in improvement of the carotid arteries²³.

Pomegranates have high levels of a unique family of antioxidants called punicosides. This is the basis for adding standardized pomegranate extract to NeuroPower which with 80% polyphenols and 40% punicosides has similar composition of antioxidants as found in pomegranate juice. Standardized extracts are far superior because they are concentrated to provide more effective and guaranteed levels of the active components.

Some of these neuronutrients may help some people with poor memory health whereas some of the other neuronutrients may be useful in protecting memory while still healthy. The above information is for a single nutrient helping to protect brain function.

This approach of giving multiple neuronutrients is consistent with two studies in dogs with age-related deterioration of cognitive abilities.

Aged dogs with cognitive decline given alpha lipoic acid together with acetyl-L-carnitine for two months had fewer errors in learning²⁴. Aged dogs with cognitive decline given a supplement which included phosphatidylserine, alpha lipoic acid, L-carnitine and CoQ10 for two months had significant improvement in disorientation, social interaction and soiling. I have personally observed people with poor memory health who took NeuroPower® Multi-Vitamin Version 3 and within three months had a marked improvement in their memory as reported to me by their spouses.

NeuroPower® Version 4 is a significant upgrade. For example, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been more than tripled from 60 mg to 200 mg. Alpha lipoic acid has been doubled from 300 mg to 600 mg. Acetyl-L-carnitine has been increased from 600 mg to 1,000 mg. I look forward to reading customers' product reviews of the new NeuroPower® Version 4 regarding benefits for memory and overall health. One request, please also have the spouse or family member of the person with poor memory health assist with writing the product review.

It is quite likely that combining together all of these neuronutrients as done in NeuroPower® might be useful in protecting healthy people from developing poor memory health. Most of these neuronutrients are antioxidants. The powerful antioxidants in NeuroPower may also help protect the cardiovascular system as CoQ10²⁵, Ginkgo biloba extract²⁶, carnitine^27-30 and pomegranate juice³¹ have each been shown to help protect the heart in humans. For example, a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial gave CoQ10 120 mg per day to people after permanent heart damage from blockage of coronary blood flow. After one year, people supplemented with CoQ10 had fewer total cardiac events (24.6%) as compared to the control group (45.0% total cardiac events)25. Coenzyme Q10 at 120 mg per day as well as 200 mg per day has been shown to help promote healthy blood pressure^{32, 33}.

Alpha lipoic acid and curcumin have been shown to be cardioprotective in animals³⁴ and alpha lipoic acid together with acetyl-L-carnitine promoted healthy blood pressure³⁵. Thus Synergy NeuroPower® is an excellent multi-vitamin for healthy people who want to promote healthy cardiovascular function, cerebrovascular function and cognitive function.

Another improvement is that vitamin D3 has been increased in NeuroPower® to 2,000 IU. NSI®'s scientific advisors are convinced of the potential dramatic benefits of optimal doses of vitamin D3 (we recommend 2,000 to 4,000 IU per day) for many organs in the body with the most exciting observations that optimal doses of vitamin D3 are associated with less abnormal cell growth³⁶. At present, Synergy NeuroPower®, Synergy GlucoPower®, Synergy Ultra®, and Synergy Platinum have 2,000 IU of vitamin D3. In the future, all new versions of the NSI® Synergy line of multi-vitamins for non-pregnant adults will have at least 2,000 IU of vitamin D3.

The maintenance dose of NeuroPower® is 6 capsules a day split between two (or three) meals. Fat, such as healthy extra virgin olive oil, should be included in the meals to assist absorption of fat-soluble nutrients such as CoQ10, alpha lipoic acid, vitamin D and lutein. For people with poor memory healthy, you can start with the maintenance dose of 6 capsules a day or, for perhaps faster effects, start with 9 capsules or even 12 capsules a day for one to three months and then taper down to the maintenance dose of 6 capsules a day.

The price for one bottle (which is for 30 days supplementation) has been reduced from $59.99 for the previous Version 3 to $39.99 in the new Version 4. This has been accomplished because over 200,000 customers are now buying NSI® products and as a result, NSI® can purchase the raw materials at a far greater discount and pass these savings on to the consumer. In fact NSI® continues to upgrade its Synergy multi-vitamin products with far superior formulas while maintaining or even lowering the prices. I sure wish food, energy, insurance and auto companies would follow a similar philosophy.

There are several additional methods which may help promote healthy memory as we age: physical exercise, cognitive exercise (such as reading a book, doing crossword puzzles or playing bridge), not smoking, a healthy diet especially fruit and vegetables, weight control, and taking grape polyphenol antioxidants by drinking red wine and purple grape juice.

Epidemiological studies report that regularly eating fish (especially cold-water fatty fish) as well as a placebo-controlled study giving omega-3 fish oil EPA and DHA in softgels are associated with better cardiovascular health. Healthy brains generally contain high levels of DHA whereas low levels of DHA have been found in brains of people with amyloid beta (Abeta) accumulation and severe memory loss.

Low fish intake and low blood levels of the omega-3 DHA are associated with increased risk of poor memory health in humans and in experimental models in mice. Furthermore, when these mice were given omega-3 DHA starting later in life, there was marked reduction in amyloid beta (Abeta) accumulation in the brain, reduction in oxidative brain damage, and improved cognitive function³⁷.

The Framingham Heart Study measured the omega-3 DHA blood levels and then prospectively followed for 9 years 899 people (average age of 76 years). Cognitive function was tested every 2 years. People with the highest quartile (top 25%) of DHA blood levels had an average DHA intake of 180 mg per day, average fish intake of 3 servings per week and had a 47% reduction of the development of poor memory health (as compared to the other 75% of people with lower DHA blood levels)³⁸. People who averaged two servings of fish per week did not have a reduction of the development of severe memory loss.

The optimal dosage of omega-3 EPA and DHA appears to be 2,000 mg per day. Unfortunately the amount of mercury and other heavy metals plus PCBs in most fish would make it dangerous to attempt this level by just eating fish.

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8. Larsson SC, Virtanen MJ, Mars M, Männistö S, Pietinen P, Albanes D, Virtamo J. Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, and Sodium Intakes and Risk of Stroke in Male Smokers. Arch Intern Med. 2008 March;168(5):459-465.

9. Tankova T, Koev D, Dakovska L. Alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of autonomic diabetic neuropathy (controlled, randomized, open-label study). Rom J Intern Med. 2004;42(2):457-64.

10. Ziegler D, Ametov A, Barinov A, Dyck PJ, Gurieva I, Low PA, Munzel U, Yakhno N, Raz I, Novosadova M, Maus J, Samigullin R. Oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy: the SYDNEY 2 trial. Diabetes Care. 2006 Nov;29(11):2365-70.

11. De Grandis D, Minardi C. Acetyl-L-carnitine (levacecarnine) in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. A long-term, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Drugs R D. 2002;3(4):223-31.

12. Montgomery SA, Thal LJ, Amrein R. Meta-analysis of double blind randomized controlled clinical trials of acetyl-L-carnitine versus placebo in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2003 Mar;18(2):61-71.

13. Liu J, Head E, Gharib AM, Yuan W, Ingersoll RT, Hagen TM, Cotman CW, and Bruce N. Ames BN. Memory loss in old rats is associated with brain mitochondrial decay and RNA/DNA oxidation: Partial reversal by feeding acetyl-L-carnitine and/or R-α-lipoic acid. PNAS. 2002 Feb 19;99(4):2356-61.

14. Malaguarnera M, Cammalleri L, Gargante MP, Vacante M, Colonna V, Motta M. L-Carnitine treatment reduces severity of physical and mental fatigue and increases cognitive functions in centenarians: a randomized and controlled clinical trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Dec;86(6):1738-44.

15. Cavallini G, Caracciolo S, Vitali G, Modenini F, Biagiotti G. Carnitine versus androgen administration in the treatment of sexual dysfunction, depressed mood, and fatigue associated with male aging. Urology. 2004 Apr;63(4):641-6.

16. Woelk H, Arnoldt KH, Kieser M, Hoerr R. Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 in generalized anxiety disorder and adjustment disorder with anxious mood: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Psychiatr Res. 2007 Sep;41(6):472-80.

17. Van Oudheusden LJ, Scholte HR. Efficacy of carnitine in the treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2002 Jul;67(1):33-8.

18. Chen Z, Li Y, Zhao LC, Zhou BF et al., A study on the association between tea consumption and stroke, Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi. 2004 August; 25(8): 666-70.

19. Sato Y, Nakatsuka H, Watanabe T, Hisamichi S et al., Possible contribution of green tea drinking habits to the prevention of stroke, Tohoku J Exp Med. 1989 April;157(4):337-43.

20. Keli SO, Hertog MG, Feskens EJ and Kromhout D, Dietary flavonoids, antioxidant vitamins, and incidence of stroke: the Zutphen study. Arch Intern Med. 1996 March;156(6):637-42.

21. Wang Q, Sun AY, Simonyi A, Jensen MD, Shelat PB, Rottinghaus GE, MacDonald RS, Miller DK, Lubahn DE, Weisman GA, Sun GY. Neuroprotective mechanisms of curcumin against cerebral ischemia-induced neuronal apoptosis and behavioral deficits. J Neurosci Res. 2005 Oct 1;82(1):138-48.

22. Trebatická J, Kopasová S, Hradecná Z, Cinovský K, Skodácek I, Suba J, Muchová J, Zitnanová I, Waczulíková I, Rohdewald P, Duracková Z. Treatment of ADHD with French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006 Sep;15(6):329-35.

23. Aviram M, Rosenblat M, Gaitini D, Nitecki S, Hoffman A, Dornfeld L, Volkova N, Presser D, Attias J, Liker H, Hayek T. Pomegranate juice consumption for 3 years by patients with carotid artery stenosis reduces common carotid intima-media thickness, blood pressure and LDL oxidation. Clin Nutr. 2004 Jun;23(3):423-33.

24. Milgram NW, Araujo JA, Hagen TM, Treadwell BV, Ames BN. Acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid supplementation of aged beagle dogs improves learning in two landmark discrimination tests. FASEB J. 2007 Nov;21(13):3756-62.

25. Singh RB, Neki NS, Kartikey K, Pella D, Kumar A, Niaz MA, Thakur AS. Effect of coenzyme Q10 on risk of atherosclerosis in patients with recent myocardial infarction. Mol Cell Biochem.2003 Apr;246(1-2):75-82.

26. Wu Y, Li S, Cui W, Zu X, Wang F, Du J. Ginkgo biloba extract improves coronary blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease: role of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Planta Med. 2007 Jun;73(7):624-8.

27. Davini P, Bigalli A, Lamanna F, Boem A. Controlled study on L-carnitine therapeutic efficacy in post-infarction. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1992;18(8):355-65.

28. Singh RB, Niaz MA, Agarwal P, Beegum R, Rastogi SS, Sachan DS. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of L-carnitine in suspected acute myocardial infarction. Postgrad Med J. 1996 Jan;72(843):45-50.

29. Xue YZ, Wang LX, Liu HZ, Qi XW, Wang XH, Ren HZ. L-carnitine as an adjunct therapy to percutaneous coronary intervention for non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2007 Dec;21(6):445-8.

30. Rizos I. Three-year survival of patients with heart failure caused by dilated cardiomyopathy and L-carnitine administration. Am Heart J. 2000 Feb;139(2 Pt 3):S120-3.

31. Sumner MD, Elliott-Eller M, Weidner G, Daubenmier JJ, Chew MH, Marlin R, Raisin CJ, Ornish D. Effects of pomegranate juice consumption on myocardial perfusion in patients with coronary heart disease. Am J Cardiol. 2005 Sep 15;96(6):810-4.

32.Burke BE, Neuenschwander R, Olson RD. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in isolated systolic hypertension. South Med J. 2001 Nov;94(11):1112-7.

33.Hodgson JM, Watts GF, Playford DA, Burke V, Croft KD. Coenzyme Q10 improves blood pressure and glycaemic control: a controlled trial in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2002 Nov;56(11):1137-42.

34. Manikandan P, Sumitra M, Aishwarya S, Manohar BM, Lokanadam B, Puvanakrishnan R. Curcumin modulates free radical quenching in myocardial ischaemia in rats. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2004 Oct;36(10):1967-80.

35. McMackin CJ, Widlansky ME, Hamburg NM, Huang AL, Weller S, Holbrook M, Gokce N, Hagen TM, Keaney JF Jr, Vita JA. Effect of combined treatment with alpha-Lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine on vascular function and blood pressure in patients with coronary artery disease. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2007 Apr;9(4):249-55.

36. Holick MF. Vitamin D Deficiency. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:266-81.

37. Cole GM, Frautschy SA. Docosahexaenoic acid protects from amyloid and dendritic pathology in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Nutr Health. 2006;18(3):249-59.

38. Schaefer EJ, Bongard V, Beiser AS, Lamon-Fava S, Robins SJ, Au R, Tucker KL, Kyle DJ, Wilson PW, Wolf PA. Plasma phosphatidylcholine docosahexaenoic acid content and risk of dementia and Alzheimer disease: the Framingham Heart Study. Arch Neurol. 2006;63:1545-1550.
 

Rejuvenate with CoQ10 & ALC

If I were to randomly go up to a hundred people on the street and ask them if they were interested in having more energy in their lives, what do you think their responses would be? I venture to guess that virtually everyone would answer with a resounding yes. Every day I see patients in my office complaining of a lack of energy. This is because we have become a 24/7 society. As such, we are addicted to caffeine and other stimulants that help keep us going.

It was with interest that I came across some recent articles on some nutrients that may counter the effects of fatigue in our lives. In the first study published earlier this month in the journal Nutrition¹, seventeen healthy volunteers were randomized to receive oral coenzyme Q10 at 100 mg or 300 mg daily or placebo for eight days. The participants were then asked to engage in certain physical tasks. It was found that the group receiving 300 mg of coenzyme Q10 daily performed better and, in addition, had subjectively less fatigue compared to the placebo group. This is no surprise given the fact that coenzyme Q10 is required by mitochondria (the power plants of the cells) to produce ATP (the cellular energy molecule). Every muscle, nerve, heart, immune and brain cell requires coenzyme Q10 to survive and maintain the health of the body.

Numerous published peer reviewed medical journal studies over the last 30 years indicate that as we age, lower coenzyme Q10 levels result in declining cardiovascular and brain health. Unfortunately, our diets only contain a few milligrams of coenzyme Q10 and even worse, statin cholesterol lowering drugs such as Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor inhibit natural coenzyme Q10 production. These drugs produce serious side effects in thousands of people including muscle and nerve damage. The evidence indicates this is a result of their adverse effects on coenzyme Q10 production. I recommend that my patients consume 200 – 400 mg per day of coenzyme Q10 for general immune, energy and cardiovascular health. For my patients with neurological/brain health concerns I recommend 1,200 mg per day based on the most recent published medical studies in humans.

There was another study published in the March 2008 edition of the journal Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics² concerning acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC). I had previously reported a couple of months ago in a prior newsletter about the benefits of acetyl-L-carnitine in reducing fatigue in a group of centenarians (individuals over the age of 100). In the more recent study noted above, 96 individuals between the ages of 71 to 88 were supplemented with acetyl-L-carnitine. At the end of the testing, those individuals given this nutrient had a significant decrease in physical fatigue and mental fatigue along with significant improvement in cognitive functioning compared to placebo.

In a somewhat related subject, acetyl-L-carnitine was tested in a group of children with poor attention. The study was reported on in the February 2008 edition of the American Journal of Medical Genetics³. Sixty-three boys between the ages of six and thirteen suffering from a genetic disorder concerning attention problems were randomized in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled fashion to receive acetyl-L-carnitine 20 mg to 50 mg per kilogram (2.2 lbs) of body weight per day versus placebo (the average adult weighs around 50 to 100 kilograms, this equates into a dosage range of 1,000 – 5,000 mgs per day for most adults). The children who were given the acetyl-L-carnitine were observed to have improvement in social behavior and attention compared to the placebo group.

Coenzyme Q10 and acetyl-L-carnitine are two of the most powerful nutrients available and are critical for maximizing energy production that leads to good overall health. I also strongly recommend alpha lipoic acid at 600 mgs per day; it is proven to be a powerful "universal antioxidant"; in addition to assisting with burning blood glucose for producing cellular energy. LiveWellStore has long recognized the incredible benefits of these nutrients and has included them in most of our Synergy Multi-vitamins. Read your current multi-vitamin label and I guarantee you they have little to none of these amazing nutrients.

We even have a Synergy Multi-Vitamin specifically formulated for energy called Synergy Energy. The higher end Synergy products in packets contain the new patent pending NSI® ToCoQ10™ softgels. This is a superior natural trans form Japanese coenzyme Q10 combined with Bioperine®, tocotrienols, rice bran oil and other powerful antioxidants that enhance overall benefits and absorption. I love reading the customer reviews, with the average NSI® product achieving a 4.7 out of 5 stars based on thousands of customer reviews. In fact NSI®'s CoQ10, alpha lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine combination and acetyl-L-carnitine have an average review of 4.8 – 4.9 out of 5 stars with 100% saying they would recommend these products to others. It makes me proud when I read just how well most customers fare with these products.


1. Mizuno K, Tanaka M, Nozaki S, Mizuma H, Ataka S, Tahara T, Sugino T, Shirai T, Kajimoto Y, Kuratsune H, Kajimoto O, Watanabe Y, Antifatigue effects of coenzyme Q10 during physical fatigue, Nutrition, Published online ahead of print 13 February 2008, doi:10.1016/j.nut.2007.12.007/

2. Malaguarnera M, Gargante MP, Cristaldi E, Colonna V, Messano M, Koverech A, Neri S, Vacante M, Cammalleri L, Motta M, Acetyl l-carnitine (ALC) treatment in elderly patients with fatigue, Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Volume 46, Issue 2, Pages 181-190, March 2008.

3. Torrioli M, Vernacotola S, Peruzzi L, Tabolacci E, et. al., A double-blind, parallel, multicenter comparison of L-acetylcarnitine with placebo on the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in fragile X syndrome boys, American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A, Published Online: 19 Feb 2008.
 

Waist Management: How to Stay Slim and Trim

By John Walker, M.D.
Gastroenterologist & NSI Scientific Advisory Board Member
02/14/2008

The holy grail of weight reduction is most likely appetite control. If you can control or curb your appetite, you are bound to eat less. If you consume less food, you ingest fewer calories, and if you include some exercise, you have an effective weight reduction system.

Leading scientists have discovered that appetite is an amazingly complex desire. Physiology, biochemistry and emotional components are involved. How many people do you know (and are you one of them) are "stress eaters"? I fall into that category, and I was always somewhat envious of those people who have appetites that actually diminish when under the gun.

No one is really sure what drives us one way or the other: is it nature or nurture, or like most things, both. However, there is no disputing the role of hormones in appetite control and satiety, the feeling of fullness that makes us want to stop eating. The major players in this cavalcade of hormones are CCK (cholescytokinin), ghrelin and leptin. Knowing a bit about the physiology may help us manipulate this to our advantage.

Ghrelin is called the "hunger hormone." It seems to be primarily responsible for appetite. Elevated levels of ghrelin signal to the brain that it is time to find some food, while levels decrease after a meal. CCK may be ghrelin's natural counterpart because after a meal, CCK levels increase, and it is thought that this (and other hormones) may signal the brain that you have had enough to eat for now. Finally, leptin is the hormone produced in body fat. It appears to bind to receptors in the hypothalamus that signal the body it has enough food for the present time.

Some nutrients appear to have a general affect on satiety when taken before meals, although the precise mechanism is unclear. Fiber, both soluble and insoluble, is thought to exert a nonspecific affect on satiety, and decreases appetite. Several forms of fiber have been studied, including glucomannan and oat fiber. In addition to fiber, protein may be more filling than carbohydrates. In studies, when subjects were given casein and whey protein before meals, they had decreased appetites. In one study this correlated with an elevated level of CCK.

This may explain why certain protein drinks, such as the Walker Diet Shakes, give people a sense of fullness with fewer consumed calories when compared to high carbohydrate shakes or meals. Walker Diet Shakes contain both whey protein and casein and as a result may help suppress appetite. Numerous studies have proven that reduced carbohydrate and increased protein intake results in superior weight loss when compared to the government recommended high carbohydrate diet.

One fascinating nutrient that may help manipulate CCK levels and cause satiety is pinolenic acid, derived from the Korean Pine Tree. This long-chain fatty acid appears to cause an increase in CCK levels. When subjects were given 3g (3,000 mg) per day of pinolenic acid in the form of PinnoThin™, there was a significant decrease in the sensation of hunger when measured on a visual analog scale, and also a significant increase in the level of the hormone CCK, as well as other satiety hormones.

Another novel compound is an extract of potato protein called Slendesta. It appears to work in a similar fashion to pinolenic acid, by increasing levels of CCK and decreasing appetite. One study showed that when 300 or 600 mg of Slendesta was given before meals, statistically significant reductions in weight were achieved.

Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) has been studied as a weight reduction agent for its effects on the hormone leptin. This hormone appears to act in the hypothalamus, where it binds to receptors that signal the body to decrease appetite. When HCA is taken before meals, it has been shown to increase leptin levels, thus decreasing appetite.

I also recommend chromium at 200 – 500 mcg per day and alpha lipoic acid at 600 mg per day to assist with burning carbohydrates for energy versus storing them as fat. Other nutrients beneficial for weight loss are Tonalin and 7-Keto. I noticed some of our customer reviews stating this seems to be an almost magical combination for achieving their fat reduction goals while also increasing muscle mass.

By supplementing with these nutrients, you may be able to counteract some of the body's signals that increase appetite. By controlling your hunger, you can consume fewer calories and lose weight. It may not be the holy grail, but for now, it seems like the next best thing.