Life Extension

Description

This topic describes advances in the study of extending the potential life span of humans.

Amines

 Spermidine may possess Life Extension properties.  ^[1]

Amino Acids

 Arginine may possess Life Extension properties (due to its ability to increase Nitric Oxide levels).  ^[2]

 Carnitine may extend Lifespan (due to its decline in tandem with the Aging Process). 

 Creatine may possess Life Extension properties.  ^[3]

 Cysteine (especially the N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) form of Cysteine) may possess Life Extension possibilities (due to its participation in the repair of some forms of endogenous Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)).  ^[4]

 Ethylene-Diamine-Tetra-Acetate (EDTA which is a synthetic Amino Acid used in Chelation Therapy) may possess Life Extension potential:  ^[5]

 Microscopic organisms treated with EDTA experienced extended lives and reduced accumulation of Calcium.

 L-Dopa may possess Life Extension possibilities (it has extended the average life span of mice).  ^[6]

 Tyrosine may increase the Norepinephrine/Serotonin ratio which is claimed to increase lifespan. 

Antioxidants

 Many substances that possess Antioxidants properties may increase human Lifespan:

 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) may extend the lifespan of some laboratory animals.  ^[7]

 Ethoxyquin may possess Life Extension potential (probably due to its potent Antioxidant properties).  ^[8]

Carbohydrates

 Maintaining optimal Hyaluronic Acid levels may result in Life Extension.  ^[9]

Carotenoids

 Beta-Carotene may possess Life Extension capabilities - it is claimed that it may retard the Aging Process in its own right.  ^[10]

Enzymes

 Catalase (by preventing oxidative damage to Cells) may possess Life Extension potential:  ^[11]

 Species of animals with high endogenous Catalase production have longer life-spans.

 Increased Glutathione Peroxidase activity may be associated with Life Extension.  ^[12]

 The animals of any given species that live the longest are those that have the highest serum Superoxide Dismutase(SOD) levels (which indicates that SOD may have Life Extension properties).  ^[13]

 Telomerase elongates Telomeres (components of the Chromosomes of Cells that shorten with each successive replication of a Cell).  By elongating Telomeres, Telomerase may lengthen the lifespan of Cells (and thereby has Life Extension potential).  Conversely, Telomerase also allows Cancer cells to attain “immortality”.  ^[14]

Hormones

 DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) may possess Life Extension possibilities:  ^[15]

 Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEAS) may possess Life Extension possibilities: 

 The death rate for people who naturally have high levels of DHEAS is lower than for those with reduced levels.

 Human Growth Hormone (hGH) may possess significant Life Extension potential.  ^[16]

 Supplemental Melatonin may possess Life Extension properties (when regular supplementation is commenced over the age of 40 - 45):  ^[17]

 Melatonin supplemented mice live for an average of 20% longer than those that don't receive Melatonin supplementation.

 Caution:  people under the age of 40 - 45 should not use Melatonin supplements for Life Extension purposes as the body already produces sufficient Melatonin during "youth" and supplemental Melatonin during these ages could actually shorten lifespan.

 Pregnenolone may possess Life Extension potential.  ^[18]

 Triiodothyronine(T3) may possess Life Extension properties.  ^[19]

Immune System Cells

 Above normal levels of NK Lymphocytes have been correlated with Life Extension:  ^[20]

 People who live to above average age generally have a high level of activity of NK Lymphocytes.

Lipids

 Phosphatidylcholine may possess Life Extension potential: 

-           As the body's Cell Membranes age, they contain less Phosphatidylcholine, and more Cholesterol causing them to become less fluid and more rigid.

-           Old rats incorporated more Phosphatidylcholine into their Cell Membranes than did young rats, indicating that Phosphatidylcholine can reverse this condition of Aging.