Anti-Aging and Mitochondrial Support Overviews
The Anti-Aging, Regenerative, and Mitochondrial Support programs that we are excited about are discussed below:
A. Recall (focusing on the nervous system), Oxylorem (focusing on oxygenation and kidney function), and Relivium (aiming to regenerate the GI tract) are extracts of 7-day-old chicken embryos. They provide a multitude of growth factors and signaling micro-RNAs, which can exert favorable effects on our physiology (discussed in the Information Sheets available in the office). Recall and Oxylorem are taken twice a day, and if in one to two months a benefit is experienced, the dose could be decreased to once a day, to see if the benefit can be maintained at a lower cost. Relivium is taken once a day, and the dose could be decreased if GI motility becomes too rapid. One can mix and match here (I take one a day, rotating between the three growth factor supplements).
B. Exosomes are the effector mechanisms of umbilical cord stem cells. These are tiny intracellular vesicles released by umbilical cord stem cells to influence physiology of adjacent cells. Actually, all of our cells release Exosomes to communicate to adjacent cells (termed paracrine communication). Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells are large, such that if they are administered IV they become trapped in the liver and lung, not reaching deep within our physiology. Exosomes are prepared by centrifuging umbilical cord stem cells and amniotic fluid, concentrating the exosomes, and then injecting them IV. The exosomes are so small that they will reach every cell in the body, there providing growth factor and anti-inflammatory effects. Exosome Therapy will decrease generation of inflammatory cytokines, throughout the body. In animal models of tissue injury, Exosome Therapy is ameliorative. The benefits of Exosome Therapy are dose-related, fairly rapid in onset, and comprehensive (every cell in the body will be affected), but not persistent, such that ongoing benefit begins to attenuate in three to six months. (Over this time interval, we can take other steps to optimize your health, and, of course, you could receive additional Exosome Treatments periodically to maintain your gain).
C. VSELs (very small embryonic-like stem cells) are Mother Nature’s paramedics, naturally activated during trauma or calamity, to release growth factors and then to differentiate into tissue-specific stem cells in body regions compromised. We utilize physics to stimulate dormant VSELs into proliferative action, promoting tissue rejuvenation and self-repair. Benefits related to VSEL Activation develop over four to six months, and are felt to be persistent. Repetitive VSEL Activation should lead to cumulative anti-aging gain. It is likely that the Avian Growth Factors and Exosome Approaches will synergize with VSEL Activation, in that VSELs harbor receptors for these growth factors. For more information on VSEL Activation.
D. Mitochondrial Biogenesis refers to phenomena that stimulate the generation of new mitochondria, the fuel cells that generate ATP. Dr. David Sinclair, in his book “Lifespan” discusses the use of NAD precursor molecules (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide or Nicotinamide Riboside), combined with Resveratrol (to stimulate sirtuin enzymes that convert the NAD precursors into NAD) and Quercetin (which prevents diversion of NAD away from mitochondrial generation). NAD is depleted with aging and any health challenge, and in animal models, NAD repletion is universally ameliorative. As you cannot go wrong with more mitochondria, I am taking NMN 500 mg and Resveratrol 500 mg, once a day.
E. While we are interested in generating new mitochondria, we also need to cull old, dysfunctional mitochondria, and here, we can use Urolithin. Urolithin can be obtained from Pomegranate, Walnuts, and Strawberries, but only if our gut flora is intact (and it typically is not). Thus, supplementation with Urolithin has been shown to improve muscle strength and endurance in middle-aged adults, while in animal models, Urolithin has been shown to be of value in essentially all age-related degenerative conditions (all of which are associated with impaired mitochondrial quality control – I take 500 mg a day).
F. Methylene Blue supports mitochondrial function. The mitochondria actually generate ATP energy by conducting electrons down a chain of electron carriers, creating an electrochemical gradient that leads to the synthesis of ATP energy packets. In age-related health challenges, ATP generation is compromised, and the mitochondria instead generates pro-oxidant free radicals, which damage the mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial death and cellular compromise. Methylene Blue serves as an exogenous electron carrier, improving mitochondrial performance, while concomitantly decreasing generation of harmful free-radical species. Methylene Blue has been shown to be of value in animal models of all of the important chronic human illnesses, and we know from human studies that Methylene Blue has a role in our defenses against infection (including Malaria and COVID) and improving cognitive performance. At low dose (0.5 mg/kg), MB is innocuous, but you will note a bluish discoloration in urine color. The dose can be slowly advanced up to 2.5 mg/kg/day. Side effects of even high-dose oral Methylene Blue have not been reported, other than in individuals who are taking SSRI antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (with which Methylene Blue can synergize, possibly leading to excessive neurotransmitter generation) or in individuals with genetic G6PD deficiency (which we can measure in a Lab Test). IV Methylene Blue inhibits nitric oxide synthase, and on this basis can be used to treat circulatory shock following Bypass Surgery or in the setting of sepsis, but inhibition of endothelial function with Oral Methylene Blue has not been described. An extensive write-up on Methylene Blue will soon be available on the heartfixer.com website.
G. Red Light/Near-Infrared Light Therapy, applied to the surface of one’s body, will stimulate mitochondrial function. Cytochrome c, the terminal electron transporter within the mitochondria, will absorb a photon of Red or Near-Infrared Light, and use this to stimulate ATP generation. No matter what disease or aging state you are experiencing, more ATP is nearly always ameliorative. This approach is discussed in “Red Light Therapy” by Ari Whitten (you might need to read the book twice – I did). The standard approach is to apply the light to unclothed skin surfaces, over 20 minutes, initially three days a week, and once you become comfortable with this approach, you can increase up to seven days per week, and again, for no longer than 20 minutes each day. With the RedRush 360, you can position yourself one foot away from the light, allowing you to treat yourself from the waist to crown, five minutes front and five minutes back, and then you shift positions to treat yourself from the waist down, again five minutes front and five minutes back. You can lie on your side or you can hang the red light from a door frame, and you can hoist the light up or down. The closer the light to your body, the deeper the penetration. Thus, if you are treating yourself for autoimmune thyroid disease, when you are treating your front side, it would make sense to position your neck close to the light, while for general health or skin conditioning, positioning the light one foot away from you will be more effectiv