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AGE RELATED HEALTH ISSUES
Background
Background
The aging process involves many body functioning factors. On this page we present two of the leading factors of this process and its health implications: Dysregulation of the immune system that leads to a chronic systemic inflammatory state and Nitric Oxide impaired generation and signaling that contribute substantially to cardiovascular risk and associated health issues.
Chronic Inflammation and Risk Factors
CHRONIC INFLAMMATION AND RISK FACTORS
"One of the major changes that occur during aging is the dysregulation of the immune response, leading to a chronic systemic inflammatory state. Among the dysregulated proinflammatory mediators, cytokines and chemokines are major culprits in the development of chronic inflammation"
How does systemic chronic inflammation (SCI) - impact the body?
There are multi-level mechanisms underlying SCI and several RISK FACTORS that promote this health-damaging phenotype, including infections, physical inactivity, poor diet, environmental and industrial toxicants and psychological stress. First and foremost, try to reduce (preferably - eliminate) these risk factors! (Read more)
Chronic inflammation can start damaging healthy cells, tissues, and organs. Over time, this can lead to DNA damage, tissue death, and internal scarring.
One of the most important medical discoveries of the past two decades has been that the immune system and inflammatory processes are involved in not just a few select disorders, but a wide variety of mental and physical health problems that dominate present-day morbidity and mortality worldwide. Indeed, chronic inflammatory diseases have been recognized as the most significant cause of death in the world today, with more than 50% of all deaths being attributable to inflammation-related diseases such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes mellitus (diabetes type 2), chronic kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and autoimmune and neurodegenerative conditions. (Read more)
A key factor in chronic inflammations
Cytokine dysregulation is believed to play a key role in the remodeling of the immune system at older age, with evidence pointing to an inability to fine-control systemic inflammation, which seems to be a marker of unsuccessful aging. This reshaping of cytokine expression pattern, with a progressive tendency toward a pro-inflammatory phenotype has been called “inflamm-aging.” Despite research there is no clear understanding about the causes of “inflamm-aging” that underpin most major age-related diseases, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and aging itself.
“The importance of chronic low-grade inflammation in the pathology of numerous age-related chronic conditions is now clear”.(Read more)
COOPING WITH CHRONIC INFLAMMATION
First and foremost, start the keto diet, take care of your microbiome, and exercise (Read more on this page). Note, there is a "UNANIMOUS" AGREEMENT among practitioners and "experts" that diet is the underlying cause for chronic inflammation, and therefore a diet change is the first and most important element in the recovery process. Give up smoking, keep healthy weight and exercise and your health restoration will follow!
A key factor in chronic inflammations
Coping with chronic inflammation
HEALTH ISSUES CAUSED BY IMPAIRED NITRIC OXIDE GENERATION AND SIGNALING
AGE RELATED NITRIC OXIDE EFFECTS
The three long quotations below highlight the significant role of nitric oxide in age related decline and disease.
"Twenty percent of the Medicare population has at least five chronic conditions i.e., hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, etc. Studies in experimental models and even humans reveal that constitutive production of nitric oxide (NO) is reduced with aging and this circumstance may be relevant to a number of diseases that plague the aging population. NO is a multifunctional signaling molecule, intricately involved with maintaining a host of physiological processes including, but not limited to, host defense, neuronal communication and the regulation of vascular tone. NO is one of the most important signaling molecules in our body, and loss of NO function is one of the earliest indicators or markers of disease."
"Impaired generation and signaling of nitric oxide contribute substantially to cardiovascular (CV) risk (CVR) associated with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. In our rapidly aging society, advanced age is, in itself, a consistent and independent CVR factor. Many processes involved in aging are modulated by NO. We therefore postulated that aging might be independently associated with impaired NO signaling."
"Aging is associated with a decline in physiological function and exercise performance. These effects are mediated, at least in part, by an age-related decrease in the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), a ubiquitous gasotransmitter and regulator of myriad physiological processes. The decrease in NO bioavailability with aging is especially apparent in sedentary individuals, whereas older, physically active individuals maintain higher levels of NO with advancing age.
Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous signaling molecule that plays an essential role in regulating systemic physiological function. As such, maintaining NO homeostasis is essential for optimal function and health [REF1], [REF2], [REF3]"
Nitric Oxide Enrichment
The process of maintaining NO homeostasis is quite complex but there are strong evidences about the role of flavonoids in Modulating this process. Furthermore, research work on the exceptional health and life expectancy of the Kuna tribe has linked it to their exceptional flavonoids rich cocoa consumption.[REF4], [REF5], [REF6]
Nitric Oxide Enrichment Practice
Do not confuse this compound - Nitric Oxide - (NO), with nitrous oxide with the chemical formula N2O which is a powerful oxidiser.
"One of the main mechanisms by which dietary flavonoids are thought to influence cardiovascular disease is via protection of the bioactivity of the endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO)."[REF1].
"The endothelium plays an important role in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis. Central to this role is the endothelial production of nitric oxide (NO), synthesized by the constitutively expressed endothelial isoform of nitric oxide synthase" [REF2]
Authentic cocoa and coffee powders are rich with flavonoids. A 5 grams of cocoa (a table spoon) contains up to 130 mg of flavonoids. This study brings a lengthy discussion about the preferred flavonoids daily dosage, but as with many others dealing with this specific issue (flavonoids daily dosage), it does not provide a simple answer. So what left for us is to recommend that you try to follow the Kuna indigenous tribe members and drink as much unsweetened cocoa as you feel good with (they drink 10 ounces of water with cocoa a day).
What we do is adding a spoonful of cocoa powder to our coffee - you are welcome to try it.
Alternatively, you may want to follow Dr. Gundry's recommendations or anybody else that you consider as a trust worthy one.
Health Issues Caused By Impaired Nitric Oxide Generaton
Nitric Oxide Enrichment
Nitric Oxide Enrichment Practice
Citrus Peels
"It has been found that peels are the main sources of polyphenols in citrus fruits [6]. Peel residues from sweet and bitter oranges, lemons, and mandarins have proved to be an important source of phenolic acids and flavonoids, chiefly polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), flavanones, and glycosylated flavanones [7–10]. These bioactive compounds are strongly associated with therapeutic properties including antiallergenic, antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, antithrombotic, cardioprotective, and vasodilatory effects [11–18]".
Ceylon Cinnamon Bark Oil Anti Aging Properties
There are many supplements that have one anti aging property or another. What sets the cinnamon oil apart is the broad spectrum of its anti aging benefits, and the fact that it is a tasty supplement, making it easy to add as a daily supplement, without the need to ingest it in a capsule.
This study " Medicinal properties of ‘true’ cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): a systematic review" presents the results of 70 studies (published before Dec. 2012) on the "subject":
"The beneficial health effects of Cinnamomum Zeylanicum identified were; a) anti-microbial and anti-parasitic activity, b) lowering of blood glucose, blood pressure and serum cholesterol, c) anti-oxidant and free-radical scavenging properties, d) inhibition of tau aggregation and filament formation (hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease), e) inhibitory effects on osteoclastogenesis, f) anti-secretagogue and anti-gastric ulcer effects, g) anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity, h) wound healing properties and i) hepato-protective effects. The studies reported minimal toxic and adverse effects."
Talking of aging, this study that focuses on "The breakdown of collagenous networks with aging results in hypoactive changes in the skin." concludes:
"Cinnamon extract potently up-regulated both mRNA and protein expression levels of type I collagen without cytotoxicity. We identified cinnamaldehyde as a major active component promoting the expression of collagen by HPLC and NMR analysis." or to put it simply:
"These results suggested that cinnamon extract is useful in antiaging treatment of skin."
Dosage: daily dosage should be 3-5 drops of oil diluted in 1/2 table spoon of coconut oil. Read on this page about how to select a good quality cinnamon oil.
Citrus Peels
Ceylon Cinnamon Bark Oil
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