The New Elixirs of Youth - Best of the Anti-aging Supplements

Researchers at the University of California have found that a combination of two antioxidants could slow down the physical and neurological ageing processes in animals by up to 40 per cent.

These antioxidants are:

• Acetyl-L-Carnitine,and

• Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Antioxidants work against ‘oxidation’ or ‘free radical damage’ in the body

If you’ve noticed how an apple turns brown when it’s cut or how iron rusts when exposed to the elements, you’ve seen the effects of oxidation.  Oxidation causes similar damage to the cells of the body.  But unless you have discovered how to live without breathing, you cannot escape the consequences of oxidation.  It takes place whenever you breathe, digest food, exercise, or even sleep – and produces potentially harmful agents called free radicals. 

Free radicals trigger chain reactions that damage cells of the body and the genetic material they contain.  Emotional stress, ultraviolet light, air pollution, coffee and cigarette smoke also generate free radicals that cause premature ageing. 

Fortunately, nature provides antioxidants, which have been shown to be helpful in minimising the effects of free radicals.

The two antioxidants used in the study mentioned above are Acetyl-L-Carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC)

• Slows down the progression of Alzheimers Disease.

• Speeds up recovery after stroke.

• May help strengthen immune system

• Helps maintain myelin sheath around nerves which are damaged in Multiple Sclerosis.

• Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) is similar to the amino acid L-Carnitine. It’s better absorbed and probably more active than L-Carnitine.

ALC can:

• improve mental energy

• improve mood

• slow the ageing of brain cells and impede the advance of Alzheimer’s

• strengthen our defences against infections and immune problems

Stroke

Studies have found that ALC helps prevent damage that can occur to nerve cells when there is a lack of oxygen in the brain. In studies, stroke victims have been found to recover better on 1,500mg of ALC per day than those taking a placebo. (1)

Alzheimer’s

Various studies have shown the effectiveness of Acetyl-L-Carnitine in improving symptoms of Alzheimers, and to slow down or reverse mental deterioration.  (2,3,4).

Vigorous exercise will help the body to convert the amino acid carnitine into Acetyl-L-Carnitine and this is very useful for reduction of body fat and boosting energy levels.  For increasing the brain’s energy and protecting nerve cells from stress and free radical damage, however, it is necessary to take a supplement in the form of Acetyl-L-Carnitine.

May increase quality and quantity of sperm

There is some early and unsubstantiated research that suggests that l-carnitine with acetyl-l-carnitine may increase quality and quantity of sperm though there is no sound evidence for this as yet.

A healthy person who wants to improve mental and physical performance should take about 500-1000mg of both carnitine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine.  Therapeutic doses for the immune and nervous systems might need1500-3000mg of each.  Because Acetyl-l-Carnitine invigorates the brain, don’t take it in the evening before sleep.

ACL should not be taken without medical supervision by pregnant women, those on prescription medication, or people with epilepsy or depression.

1. Patti, F., et al., Clinical Trials Journal, 1988; 25 (2pp.1): 87-101

2. Pettegrew, J.W., et al., Neurobiology of Ageing, 1995; 16(1): 1-4

3. Can L-Carnitine help reverse Alzheimer’s disease? Nutrition Science News, 8/00

4. Acetyl-l-Carnitine slows decline in younger patients with Alzheimer’s disease: a reanalysis of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study using the trilinear approach – Medline, 6/98.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Small amounts are produced in the body from food intake, especially broccoli and spinach, but may not be highly bio-available. Alpha-Lipoic Acid:

• converts blood glucose to energy, which may help symptoms of Syndrome X, and diabetes.

• Helps prevent the formation of fat from blood glucose – useful for weight loss

• It is an Antioxidant (both water and fat soluble, i.e. can work anywhere in the body).

• It recycles other antioxidants after they have already been used against free radicals, thus extending other antioxidants’ usefulness

• Its powerful antioxidant value reduces damage to cells and therefore slows the ageing process.

• It helps reverse diabetic nerve damage, especially when used in conjunction with GLA (as found in Evening Primrose Oil for instance).

• It may help with the pain symptoms of sciatica.

• It has prevented formation of cataracts in rats, and may do so in humans.

• It may minimise damage due to strokes

Alpha-Lipoic Acid should not be taken without medical supervision by pregnant women, those on prescription medication, or suffering from epilepsy or depression.