FROM RAPID RECOVERY HYPERBARICS WWW.HBOT4U.COM [email protected] Can Supporting Mitochondrial Function Promote Cognitive Health? By Alan R. Gaby, M.D. Mitochondrial function declines with advancing age, and there is evidence from animal studies that mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to brain aging and neurodegeneration. Several different factors appear to play a role in mitochondrial decay, including oxidative damage to mitochondrial lipids, proteins, and DNA, and a decrease in the activity of enzymes involved in ATP production. Antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium, and alpha-lipoic acid have the potential to protect mitochondrial integrity; magnesium, riboflavin, niacinamide, and coenzyme Q10 may improve mitochondrial energy production by directly activating enzymes involved in the electron-transport chain; and L-carnitine may improve mitochondrial energy production by facilitating the transport of fatty acids into mitochondria. Treatment with alpha-lipoic acid has been reported to promote cognitive function in aged mice and to slow cognitive decline in mice with chemically induced accelerated aging. The combination of alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC; a compound that functions like L-carnitine and also has neurotransmitter activity) was more effective than either compound by itself for supporting mitochondrial function in old rats. In an uncontrolled trial, supplementation with 600 mg per day of alpha-lipoic acid for one year appeared to stabilize cognitive function.1 In a double-blind trial, supplementation with ALC (1 g twice a day) for one year promoted cognitive function.2 In addition, there is evidence that riboflavin supplementation (30 mg 3 times per day) can support motor function in some patients.3 It is one of the axioms of nutritional therapy that combinations of nutrients are often more supportive than any one nutrient by itself. The possibility that using various combinations of the nutrients mentioned above could slow age-related cognitive decline and other manifestations of aging is an exciting area for future research. hbot4u
Posted on: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 00:28:06 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015