THE ALCHEMIC HEALTH BLOG

All Longevity

November 13, 2020

Longevity: Thymus Health and Regeneration

The thymus is an amazing little gland in the body that does some very important things. It’s part of the lymphatic system along with adenoids, spleen and tonsils and is also part of the endocrine system. It is located in the center of the chest behind the sternum and is responsible for producing progenitor cells which mature into T-cells (thymus-derived cells). The thymus also produces immune regulating compounds, hormones such as thymosin, thymopoietin and thymulin, as well as other peptides and interleukins. It is one organ that reaches maturity in utero and involutes as we age. The involution of the thymus changes it’s architecture, causing it to lose its organized structure and is replaced with adipose tissues as it becomes functionally less active(1). As we age, our thymus regresses and increases our susceptibility to disease and further aging due to the decline in T-cell output(1)(2). Advance aging correlates with a reduced ability of the immune system to generate antigen specific responses to pathogens. This profound change exhibited by the aging immune system is termed immunosenescence, affecting both innate and adaptive immunity(2). We can help slow down this regression or even regenerate the thymus gland through a number of interventions. By doing this we can reestablish a stronger and healthier immune system, helping ward off aging and age-related diseases.

A number of vitamins and minerals can help the health and functionality of the thymus as we age. High vitamin C intake has shown to suppress age-related thymic atrophy whilst promoting maturation of T-cells(3)(4). Vitamin A deficiency has shown to effect the production of thymosin-β4 and CD4 but high vitamin E intake enhances T-cell differentiation via TEC functions in the thymus(5)(6). Exogeneous melatonin leads to a marked reduction in signs of thymic aging, while being zinc deficient causes age related immunological dysfunction, including thymic failure(9)(10). However, when it comes to increasing thymus health and regeneration, one of the best tools for this job are bioregulatory peptides such as Thymalin.

Thymalin is a synthetic version of thymulin (H-Pyr-Ala-Lys-Ser-Gln-Gly-Gly-Ser-Asn-OH). It was first isolated from the thymus gland in 1977 and has been studied for its geroprotective effects, meaning it aims to affect the root cause of aging and age-related diseases. It regulates immune function via increased T-cell activity, lowering inflammation, raising immunoglobulin A and has shown to be neuroprotective. One study researched the effects Thymalin has on the elderly (60yrs+) over a 6-8 year period, receiving the peptide for the first 2-3 years of observation(7). The results showed the ability for bioregulators to normalize functions in cardiovascular, endocrine, immune and nervous systems. This restoration of homeostasis was accompanied by a 2.0-2.4-fold decrease acute respiratory disease, ischemic heart disease, hypertension disease, osteoarthrosis and osteoporosis(7). There was a significant improvement in the overall health state of the peptide treated patients which correlated with a decreased mortality rate during observations by 2.0-2.1 fold, demonstrating prevention in age related pathology and prolonging active longevity(7).

Other studies show it has pronounced antitumor effects, causing tumor growth arrest and also regression, some seeing growth suppression by 78%(8). Thymalin induced a significant increase in lymphoproliferative activity and the content of tissue basophils and plasmocytes in the thymus lobules(8). The results of other studies shows that thymalin significantly enhances immunological resistance to viral infections(11). Research demonstrates thymalin’s ability to regenerate the thymus gland, helping increase immunity whilst warding off age-related diseases.

A healthy lifestyle is the best way to attain a long and healthy life. If we want to help slow the onset of aging and age-related diseases, we need to incorporate lifestyle and nutritional factors into our life, supporting the body’s organs and systems as we get older. A healthy thymus is vital to longevity and if we support it throughout life with the right nutrients and even peptide technology, we can greatly affect and combat this major factor of aging. Living younger and longer without the diseases that primarily come with advanced age.

Written by Luke Pavasovic
Director and Naturopath at Alchemic Health
facebook.com/alchemichealth
www.alchemichealth.com

References:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539748/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3791471/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25608928/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3869442/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6296595/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9523031/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14523363/
8. https://www.pubfacts.com/detail/29797130/Effect-of-Thymalin-on-the-Tumor-and-Thymus-under-Conditions-of-Activation-Therapy-In-Vivo
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5995606/
10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8582782/
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8067076/

October 30, 2020

Longevity: Eliminating Senescent Cells

Let’s face it, many of us would love to stay youthful forever. With more understanding and science on how we progressively age, there may be ways to slow down aging, helping you live younger for longer. Aging is complex, it’s not as easy as addressing one mechanism because there are numerous aspects to this process. A major contributing factor to this process is the accumulation of senescent cells. Senescent cells are constantly created when a cell reaches its Hayflick limit, this is the limit when a cell can no longer divide through a process called mitosis. Each normal human cell can only replicate and divide forty to sixty times before it cannot divide anymore. Once it reaches this Hayflick limit it will either go through programmed cell death, apoptosis or becomes a senescent cell. Cellular senescence can also be induced by DNA damage, oxidative stress and oncogene activation. It is a process in which cells cease dividing and undergo distinctive phenotypic alterations, including profound chromatin and secretome changes and tumour-suppressor activation(1). The term senescence was first introduced by Hayflick and Moorhead to describe the phenomenon of irreversible growth arrest(1). The purpose of this cell-cycle arrest is to limit the proliferation of damaged cells, to eliminate accumulated harmful factors and to disable potential malignant cell transformation(2).

As we go through life, senescent cells accumulate, secreting proinflammatory cytokines which damage other cells and may trigger chronic immune reactions. This accumulation may also lead to tissue dysfunction and cancer whilst increasing the aging process(2). Our immune system has the ability to eliminate or deal with senescent cells, but this can become faulty as our age increases leading to less elimination. We are able to support our immune system in this process by looking after ourselves with how we eat and how often we exercise, but also through natural compounds that have senolytic activity (molecules that induce death of senescent cells and improve human health).

Fisetin
Fisetin is a natural flavonoid that is found in various fruits and vegetables, such as apples, grapes, cucumber and strawberries. Numerous studies have demonstrated the effect of fisetin against numerous diseases and it’s reported to have antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, neurotrophic effects(4). It has also been found to have potent senolytic properties, reducing senescence which restored tissue homeostasis, reduced age-related pathology and extended median and maximum lifespan(3). As senescent cells resist apoptosis through upregulation of the senescent-cell anti-apoptotic pathways (SCAP), fisetin has demonstrated to overcome this(5). It has been identified that fisetin selectively inhibits BCM-X_L/BCL-2 pathways which have been shown to be the “Achilles’ heel” of senescent cells(6).

Quercetin
Quercetin is another natural flavonoid (plant polyphenol) found abundantly in vegetables and fruits. Evidence suggests that quercetin has therapeutic potential in prevention and treatment of different diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurodegenerative disease(7). It has shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties whilst possibly being able to retard the aging process. It does this through its restoring effect on cellular senescence by the down-regulation of senescence activities and up-regulation of gene expressions of antioxidant enzymes(8). When taken with other senolytics, it demonstrates to increase the selective elimination of senescent cells, decreasing the number of naturally occurring senescent cells and their secretion of proinflammatory cytokines(9).

Theoretically, by consuming fisetin with quercetin this will increase the elimination of senescent cells in the body, helping ward off age related diseases and also decrease aspects of aging. These are two compounds from nature that can help us all on the road to better health as we age. Taking these alongside other longevity protocols may help increase lifespan, keeping you younger for longer and protecting your body in the process. By clearing senescent cells, we help rejuvenate the body which improves longevity and long-term health.

Written by Luke Pavasovic
Director and Naturopath at Alchemic Health
facebook.com/alchemichealth
www.alchemichealth.com
References:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4214092/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6610675/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6197652/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3689181/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6842927/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5391241/
7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128021477000322
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29737207/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29988130/

October 9, 2020

Longevity: A Natural Compound Combats Aging

Longevity is a very exciting new field to be involved in today. There are a number of new compounds going through research or trials in the race to slow down aging, ward of age-related diseases and ultimately stop or even reverse aspects of aging. Aging is no longer viewed as just a natural process but can be addressed and tackled like any other disease. When we understand the fundamental mechanisms involved, we can map out the process and intervene through altering certain pathways in the body.

We understand the importance of one of the main mechanisms of aging which is telomere length and how it progressively shortens with age(1). You may ask what are telomeres? They are the protective DNA-protein complexes found at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes(2). Telomeres are specialised structures that consist of tandem repeats of the hexanucleotide sequence TTAGGG, as well as a protein complex called shelterin. Together, they form a protective loop structure against chromosome fusion and degradation(3). As we age and cells divide through a process called mitosis, telomeres shorten. When they become too short, this blocks further cell division and induces senescence (loss of a cell’s power of division and growth), apoptosis, or oncogenic transformation of somatic cells, affecting the health and lifespan of an individual(1)(4). Telomeres not only shorten with age but may be further shortened in response to external stress and damage.

There are a few compounds being studied right now for their ability to help stop telomere shortening and even lengthen them, which would in theory help halt or even reverse this aspect of the aging process. Popular ways to address this is through peptide therapies, which I will cover in the near future, but today I want to go over a natural compound extracted from a herb called cycloastragenol (CAG) that is being studied for some of its incredible abilities.

CAG is a triterpenoid saponin compound and a hydrolysis product of the main active ingredient in Astragalus membranaceus herb(5). There is an increasing body of evidence which indicates that CAG has a wide range of pharmacological functions that has attracted attention from the research community.

A number of studies have shown that CAG activates telomerase (an enzyme that repairs the telomeres), this then lengthens telomeres in a telomerase-dependent manner. Therefore CAG decreases the percentage of critically short telomeres and DNA damage in the cell(5). CAG may activate telomerase and other cellular effects by activating the Src/MEK/ERK pathway(5). Aging also increases the dysfunction of the immune system, weak immune systems lead to an increased susceptibility to infections, which accelerates the process of senescence. CAG enhanced both CD8(+) T lymphocytes and CD4(+) T lymphocytes, telomerase activity and proliferative capacity. CD8(+) T lymphocytes from HIV infected human donors treated with CAG showed an increase in telomerase activity, modest retardation of telomere attrition, increased in proliferative potential of CD8(+) T lymphocytes, and enhanced cytokine/chemokine production, which increases antiviral potential(5). By the increase of telomerase activity this not only lengthens telomeres but also increases aspects of the immune system, demonstrating that CAG may be an important compound in decreasing the aging process.

CAG also has amazing effects on other systems in the body. It can improve skin fitness and wound healing via stimulation of telomerase activity in human keratinocytes(5). In addition to its wound healing properties, CAG promotes recovery from brain injuries. Neural stem cells are vital for brain injury recovery, CAG has shown to increase the proliferation and improves survival in neural stem cells(5). Furthermore, CAG reduces neuron apoptosis, improves nerve function and reduces cerebral infarction volume, these functions are related to increasing expression of TERT(5).

Apart from it already amazing ability to increase telomerase (which lengthens telomeres), improving the immune system, wound and brain healing effects, CAG also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This compound helps move biology toward a more ‘youthful’ profile while improving biomarkers of metabolic, bone and cardiovascular health, such as fasting glucose, insulin, cholesterol, blood pressure and bone mineral density(5).

I would highly recommend CAG for anyone looking to boost their overall health and ward off age related illnesses. There is an abundance of benefits that come with increased telomerase activity that CAG provides, along with its great safety profile. It may be hard to find on the market right now as it’s a novel compound, although if you purchase Astragalus membranaceus extracts it will contain CAG within it. This compound is definitely one to look out for!

Written by Luke Pavasovic
Director and Naturopath at Alchemic Health
facebook.com/alchemichealth
www.alchemichealth.com

References:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3370421/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1693310/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30779012/
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/telomeres
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6122403/

September 11, 2020

Mitochondria: A Path to Longevity

When we lack energy, many of us turn to consuming certain “energy boosting” drinks like RedBull or coffee and even medications that can provide a stimulating effect, but is this real energy? Why are you lacking energy in the first place? Are you not feeling as youthful as you once did? When trying to address these aspects many people think that their iron is low or that they need more B vitamins. This is a great place to start but if your diet is in check and your iron levels aren’t low then where is your lack of energy and vigour originating from? There are many avenues that contribute to this but unfortunately many don’t consider that this may all stem from mitochondrial dysfunction.

The mitochondria are the key organelle responsible for cellular energy production, they produce the essential fuel our body needs to survive called adenosine-5′-triphosphate, better known as “ATP”(1). As we live our lives, we open ourselves up to damaging the mitochondria through numerous lifestyle factors, causing decreased density, numbers and mutation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) which has a 10-fold greater mutation rate then nuclear DNA with less repair capacity, leading to dysfunctional mitochondria(1).

This dysfunction can lead us to being more susceptible to countless diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, cancer, cardiovascular disease and more, whilst causing excess fatigue and ultimately leading to increased aging(1)(2)(3). At Alchemic Health longevity is one of our specialties, helping to slow down aging and warding off age related diseases. This is all done primarily through addressing mitochondrial dysfunction.

Correcting dysfunctional mitochondria is done through tried and tested biohacking supplemental formulas that I have created over the past 10 years of research. This has not just been tested on myself but also a large number of family and friends to assess the efficiency of my formulas, and the results have been outstanding. By focusing on mitochondrial health, you can expect clean energy that is sustained throughout the day, better thinking and memory, quicker healing, increase endurance and stamina, better recovery from exercise, healthier skin and ultimately feeling better in your overall health. When we address our mitochondria, we also combat one of the main factors of aging, essentially helping us live a longer, healthier and more youthful life.

Aging is a natural process, but in this day and age we can also look at it like any other disease. Science has now mapped out the fundamental mechanisms to this process with many being hacked through natural compounds and lifestyle factors. Ask yourself, do you want to live as long as you can, as young as you can? Well I can help put you on the right path by correcting the function of your mitochondria along with focusing on other mechanisms of aging. Through this I hope to bring a new paradigm to the way we view ourselves as we progress through our years on this planet.

Written by Luke Pavasovic
Director and Naturopath at Alchemic Health
facebook.com/alchemichealth
www.alchemichealth.com

References:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4566449/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4580208/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4779179/

THE ALCHEMIC HEALTH BLOG

Longevity: Thymus Health and Regeneration

Longevity: Eliminating Senescent Cells

Longevity: A Natural Compound Combats Aging

Mitochondria: A Path to Longevity

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY TO AN OPTIMAL STATE OF HEALTH TODAY