Have you ever heard of glutathione (pronounced; gloota-thigh-own)? Neither has almost anyone else. Many researchers say it’s probably the most important substance we require to stay healthy. Many go as far to say it’s the secret to prevent aging. So where’s Oprah, and the rest of the media? A quick search of the term “glutathione” on PubMed.gov reveals 94,117 scholarly articles, reviews and abstracts.

Present in every cell of our body, glutathione levels just might be one of the best biochemical markers there is; the higher your glutathione levels are the healthier you will be. Glutathione deficiency is found in almost all patients with extreme illnesses, e.g., cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, liver disease, diabetes and more. In fact, researchers are concluding glutathione deficiency may play a role in patients with schizophrenia. In cerebrospinal fluid of drug-free schizophrenic patients, a significant decrease in the level of total glutathione was observed as compared to controls. EJN

Glutathione’s importance to a properly functioning immune system has been shown in many studies. According to Dr. Gustavo Bounous, “The limiting factor for the proper activity and multiplication of our lymphocytes (white blood cells) is the availability of glutathione”.

Every day our bodies are exposed to stress, pollution, infection, drugs (illicit or licit) and alcohol, poor diet, infections and injury, which drain our bodies of glutathione; this depletion leaves our bodies susceptible to high levels of oxidative stress, which leads to aging, disease and eventual death. I predict that concern about glutathione levels will eventually be on par with other preventative health issues.

According to the 2002 United States Life Tables, In 2002 the average person in the US could expect to live a little over 19 years longer than in 1920. But does longevity come with a healthy life? Not for most. Arthritis, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, deteriorating senses, and other diseases and conditions all come with age. However, new research may have uncovered a true fountain of youth, and it may be as simple as cutting down on consuming carbs.

Professor Cynthia Kenyon, a US genetisist, has discovered that the carbohydrates we eat like bananas, potatoes, bread, pasta, and cakes directly affect two key genes that govern youthfulness and longevity.

But what Professor Kenyon found out was why ­drastically reducing calories has such a remarkable effect.

She discovered that it changed the way two crucial genes behaved. It turned down the gene that controls insulin, which in turn switched on another gene, which acted like an elixir of life.

‘We jokingly called the first gene the Grim Reaper because when it’s switched on, the lifespan is fairly short,’ she explains.

The ­second ‘elixir’ gene seems to bring all the anti-aging benefits.

Professor Kenyon has changed her diet as a result of her research.

‘Carbo­hydrates, and especially refined ones like sugar, make you produce lots of extra insulin. I’ve been keeping my intake really low ever since I discovered this.

‘I’ve cut out all starch such as potatoes, noodles, rice, bread and pasta. Instead I have salads, but no sweet dressing, lots of olive oil and nuts, tons of green vegetables along with cheese, chicken and eggs.

‘I’ll have a hamburger without a bun and fish without batter or chips. I eat some fruit every day, but not too much and almost no processed food. I stay away from sweets, except 80 per cent chocolate.’

She is adamant it will be well worthwhile. ‘You could have two completely different careers if you could stay healthy to 90,’ she says. ‘How fascinating that would be.’

READ MORE

It’s no secret, the positive anti-aging effects Human growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 has on the body including increased fat metabolism, increased muscle mass, increased bone density, collagen rejuvenation, and more. Although the exact mechanisms that are most efficacious for stimulating release of these anti-aging hormones remains some-what of a mystery, scientists are getting closer.

Evidence suggests that load and frequency are determining factors in the regulation of hGH secretion. Despite the significant exercise-induced growth hormone response (EIGR) induced by resistance training, much of the stimulus for protein synthesis has been attributed to insulin-like growth factor-1 with modest contributions from the hGH-GH receptor interaction on the cell membrane. The EIGR to endurance exercise is associated with the intensity, duration, frequency and mode of endurance exercise. A number of studies have suggested an intensity ‘threshold’ exists for EIGR. An exercise intensity above lactate threshold and for a minimum of 10 minutes appears to elicit the greatest stimulus to the secretion of hGH. Exercise training above the lactate threshold may amplify the pulsatile release of hGH at rest, increasing 24-hour hGH secretion. The impact of chronic exercise training on the EIGR remains equivocal. Recent evidence suggests that endurance training results in decreased resting hGH and a blunted EIGR, which may be linked to an increased tissue sensitivity to hGH.
Sports Med. 2003;33(8):599-613.

There is a naturally occurring substance that has been receiving a whole lot of attention over the last several years. It’s a polyphenol antioxidant called resveratrol found in foods like peanuts, some berries, grapes and consequently, wine. In a new study researchers examined the effects of resveratrol on rats with colon cancer.

The rats were divided into four groups according to treatment?one that received a chemical to induce cancer (called 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, or DHM for short), one that received DHM and trans-resveratrol, one that received only trans-resveratrol, and finally, one that received no treatment to serve as a control.

Over the course of this 30-week study, researchers had two major goals: to evaluate the short-term effect that this powerful compound would have on DNA damage and to evaluate the long-term effect it would have on membrane lipid peroxidation (the process by which free radicals cause damage to cell membranes). In addition, the researchers measured the levels of circulating antioxidants.

The results? Rats supplemented with trans-resveratrol showed significantly less white blood cell damage than those that received DHM alone. What?s more, those that received trans-resveratrol for the full 30 weeks also showed a marked increase in several key antioxidant enzymes?including superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase?along with other antioxidant factors like vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene. Finally, this group of rats also showed a noticeable decrease in markers of dangerous lipid peroxidation.1

In the end, the study authors? conclusion couldn?t be more clear?or promising, for that matter?stating ?results indicate that DMH-induced DNA damage and oxidative stress were suppressed/prevented effectively by chronic resveratrol supplementation.?

So does this study show that daily supplementation of resveratrol will keep you young? No. However, resveratrol has a whole lot of good things going for it backed by a lot of research and should be considered as part of ones daily regimen. Vitamin Research Products

Another benefit males might be most interested in has to do with estrogen. Resveratrol acts as a potent estrogen antagonist. This means it hinders the negative effects of estrogen.

In higher concentrations, it acts as an aromatase inhibitor. Resveratrol has been shown to hinder the transformation of testosterone to estrogen. As ones estrogen goes up the testosterone goes down. This means that it help to halt the body’s natural aging process of whittling away at your Testosterone.

Why is this good for men? Because if a substance hinders the transformation of testosterone to estrogen or estradiol, not only does it prevent the malicious effects of estrogen like a decrease in muscle and strength and an increase of body fat, it increases your level of testosterone, which translates into an increase in strength and muscle.