Anti-Aging Strategies for Health and Longevity
The Quest for the “Fountain of Youth” Part VI
By Steven and Rose Novil

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The Antioxidants Glutathione and Vitamin E

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Continuing the discussion about the role antioxidants play in anti-aging, let’s talk about two more important antioxidants.

Pycnogenol

When you mention Pycnogenol, it really describes a trademark name given to pine bark extract. The naturally occurring substances present in pine bark extract are phytochemicals known as OPC, oligomeric proanthocyanidins.

     Besides occurring in pine bark, this natural flavonoid is found in grape seed extract which is derived from the seeds of wine grapes. Pycnogenol provides all the same benefits of other antioxidants (neutralizing free radicals, preventing disease and slowing aging), but what is very interesting is that OPCs may be up to fifty times more potent than vitamin E, and twenty times more potent than vitamin C, especially in terms of bioavailable antioxidant activity based on clinical trials. It can be more powerful than vitamins C and E because it remains in the blood stream 72 hours, giving extended free radical protection, while vitamins C and E pass quickly through the system.

     OPCs can cross the blood-brain barrier thereby protecting the brain and spinal nerves from free radical damage. They also protect the liver from damage caused by toxic doses of acetaminophen, a non-prescription pain reliever. OPCs strengthen and repair connective tissue which includes the cardiovascular system, and support the immune system and slow down aging. They also moderate allergic reactions and inflammatory responses by reducing histamine production. OPCs are highly water soluble, so the body is able to absorb them rapidly.

     Because every company may have different formulations, take recommended dosages as prescribed on the labels and of course, consult with your healthcare practitioner for advice. Now that you understand what Pycnogenol is, we would like to discuss a case study.

     A mother brought her fourteen year old daughter to a clinical nutritionist. The girl had an ongoing cold for almost one year. She was taking many different vitamin supplements and courses of antibiotics, but none seemed to cure her cold. In less then 21 days of taking a special Pycnogenol extract, the girl’s cold was completely gone and she had no symptoms from that time on. The mother reported that she gives this extract to the entire family at the beginning of any colds or flus and has had startling success in shortening their duration.

     Claims of Pycnogenol’s success as an antioxidant include that it helps strengthen and restore the heart muscle and the circulatory system and lowers blood sugar in patients with mild type 2 diabetes. It has been shown to have numerous cardio health benefits including reducing high blood pressure, lowering bad (LDL) cholesterol, reducing platelet activity, relaxing artery constriction and improving circulation, and in asthma.

     It is also effective in helping against aging of the skin. According to Frank Schonlau, PhD, director of scientific communications for Horphag Research in Geneva, “pycnogenol helps stimulate the production of immune cells, which in turn helps protect against the aging process. Pycnogenol releases pro-inflammatory mediators that help immune cells protect the skin from photoaging [the detrimental effects on skin that result from long-term exposure to sunlight] and extend the skin’s resistance to sunburn. The ingredient also improves microcirculation of tiny skin capillaries, supporting better oxygen and nutrient supply and better hydration, which work together to give skin a healthy look and vibrant glow.”

CoQ10

Inside each cell of your body is a microscopic energy factory that uses chemicals and electrical charges to keep all systems operating. One of the keys to the process is coenzyme Q10. While it’s not the only chemical required to produce energy, what makes CoQ10 unique is that it’s the only coenzyme that is present in every single cell in the body. And it is found in the greatest concentration in the heart muscle. CoQ10 is a catalyst in the process that produces 95% of cellular energy, and studies demonstrate its ability to treat a wide range of ailments..

     Ever since CoQ10 was discovered in 1957, it has intrigued scientists. A chemical found in such abundance in the body, they surmised, must carry significant healing properties. Because CoQ10 is such a basic source of energy, some advocates—doctors, nutritionists, body builders and cancer researchers—believe it is a miracle substance. It is one of the most talked about new supplements on the market. Many people are heralding it as the “Fountain of Youth” pill. Based on hundreds of studies conducted around the world, claims have been made that CoQ10 can be used to treat a wide variety of maladies: heart disease, gum disease, improved ejection fraction, breast cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, migraines, high blood pressure, helps prevent oxidation of bad (LDL) cholesterol, infertility in males, skin diseases, fibromyalgia and more. Some even claim it can enhance athletic performance and exercise tolerance.

     Roberta Anding, a registered dietitian and the resident nutritional expert for the Houston Texans football team says. “It deserves the press it gets for heart health.”

     One thing that is known for sure, experts agree that CoQ10 should be used as a nutritional supplement by people who are taking medications for heart-related problems. Those drugs—statins that lower cholesterol and others that help control blood pressure—are known to block production of CoQ10, which can eventually lead to a decrease in muscle function.  

     One prominent advocate who believes CoQ10’s broader benefits have been proven is Andrew Weil, MD, the internationally known physician and author of Spontaneous Healing. Weil is reported to take CoQ10 every day. He recommends 30mg (milligrams) per day for most everyone and an additional 60 mg per day for anyone with the following conditions: people with a personal or family history of heart disease, people taking statin drugs, and people with high cholesterol, angina, diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and breast cancer.

     CoQ10’s safety record is clear. Researchers have found no side effects associated with its use, and there appear to be no adverse reactions when it’s taken with pharmaceuticals.

     Let’s talk about a specific case study. A 78 year old male with unusually high blood pressure visited a clinical nutritionist. Following cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra’s recommendations for cardiac challenges, including up to 350mg of softgel CoQ10 daily, the patient experienced reduction in blood pressure after ninety days. He also exercised every other day as part of the program and ate a heart-healthy diet, one recommended by the American Heart Association. He has maintained his normal blood pressure readings after one year.

     CoQ10 is beneficial to the heart, and some studies suggest it may benefit people with periodontal disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, deafness and impaired immunity, according to an article in Healthwatch newsletter. The article quotes William H. Lee, Ph.D., who says CoQ10 has also been shown to have direct anti-aging effects. “As we age, our supply of CoQ10 diminishes,” says Lee. “With supplements, people can correct age-related declines in the immune system, and increase energy and exercise tolerance.”

     One thing to remember—research concludes if the enzyme is low or deficient in the body, supplementing it can be beneficial. But if the level is normal, additional CoQ10 will usually have little or no effect.

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American Fitness, January-February, 1996.

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