Anti-Aging Medicine

Ronald Klatz, MD, DO, and Robert Goldman, MD, PhD, DO, FAASP

www.worldhealth.net

Anti-Aging Approaches to Address Chronic Inflammation

While the inflammatory response is a potent defense mechanism that the body mounts to counter infection, inflammation itself can be a powerful negative process in the body, contributing to chronic diseases from arthritis to Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome to atherosclerosis. Chronic inflammation is also linked with poor mental health. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammatory disease, may associate with increased risk of psychological distress and depression. Marie Kim Wium-Andersen and colleagues from Copenhagen University Hospital (Denmark) analyzed CRP levels using data from two general population studies in Copenhagen, which included 73,131 men and women aged 20 to 100 years. Increasing CRP levels were associated with increasing risk for psychological distress and depression in analyses. Other analyses suggest that increasing CRP levels also were associated with increasing risk for hospitalization with depression, according to the study results. The study authors conclude, “Elevated levels of [C-reactive protein] are associated with increased risk for psychological distress and depression in the general population.”

Indeed, aging itself may be considered as a consequence of inflammation. Emerging science suggests that certain nutrients and lifestyle choices may serve as effective approaches that may help to curb the chronic inflammatory response – and thereby potentially forestall aging-related diseases as an additional benefit,

Wium-Andersen MK, Ørsted DD, Nielsen SF, Nordestgaard BG. Elevated C-reactive protein levels, psychological distress, and depression in 73 131 individuals. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2013;70(2):176–184.

Tomato Juice Decreases Inflammation

Rich in lycopenes, a potent type of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound, tomatoes have been shown by a number of previous studies to improve antioxidant defenses and reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases. Mahsa Ghavipour and colleagues from Tehran University (Iran) recruited a group of overweight and obese women, average age 23 years, for a study in which each subject either consumed a glass (330 mL) of tomato juice a day, or water (control beverage), for 20 days. Among the women who drank tomato juice, interleukin-8 (IL-8) was reduced by 11.77 pg/mL and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) by 5.44 pg/mL, as compared with 6.22 and 0.07 pg/mL, respectively, among the control group. Writing, “Tomato juice reduces inflammation in overweight and obese females,” the study authors submit: “Increasing tomato intake may provide a useful approach for reducing the risk of inflammatory diseases such as [cardiovascular disease] and diabetes, which are associated with obesity.”

Ghavipour M, Saedisomeolia A, Djalali M, et al. Tomato juice consumption reduces systemic inflammation in overweight and obese females. Br J Nutr. 24 Oct. 2012.

Frankincense Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Best known as a gift of the Magi, frankincense – the resin from the trunk of Boswellia tree, has been used since ancient times as part of religious ceremonies and festivities. Oliver Werz and colleagues from the Friedrich Schiller University (Germany) studied the ingredients of the Boswellia resin. The team found that boswellic acids interact with several different proteins that are part of inflammatory reactions, and most notably with an enzyme which is responsible for the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 –one of the mediators of the immune response and plays a decisive role in the process of inflammation. Explaining, “Boswellic acids block this enzyme efficiently and thereby reduce the inflammatory reaction,” the lead author submits: “With this, not only a targeted use in the therapy of inflammatory diseases is conceivable. It can also be expected that boswellic acids have less side effects than today’s prevalent anti-inflammatory [pharmaceutical] treatments.”

Verhoff M, Seitz S, Northoff H, Jauch J, Schaible AM, Werz O. A novel C(28)-hydroxylated lupeolic acid suppresses the biosynthesis of eicosanoids through inhibition of cytosolic phospholipase A(2). Biochem Pharmacol. June 23, 2012.

Beer Compounds May Combat Inflammation

By modulating the biological pathways involved in inflammation, humulones and bittering acids found in beer may beneficially impact diabetes, cancers, and other diseases. Werner Kaminsky and colleagues from the University of Washington (US) employed X-ray crystallography to ascertain the exact structure of beer’s bittering acids, humulone molecules and some of their derivatives. During the brewing process, humulone molecules are rearranged and the resulting molecular forms have potential to be incorporated into new pharmaceuticals to exert health effects.

Urban J, Dahlberg CJ, Carroll BJ, Kaminsky W. Absolute configuration of beer′s bitter compounds. Angew Chem Int Ed. January 28, 2013;52(5):1553–1555.

Cocoa and Green Tea Compounds Counter Inflammation

Rich in a variety of antioxidants, cocoa and green tea extracts help to reduce markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in overweight men and women at high risk for insulin resistance. Researchers from the US Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service (Maryland, US) April 20 adult men and women in a study, in which each subject can send a control diet with four cocoa beverages containing between 30 and 900 mg flavanols per day, or ATP matched to a cocoa beverage for flavanol content for five days. After consumption of cocoa beverage, C-reactive protein (CRP) – a marker of inflammation, and 8-isoprostate – a marker of oxidative stress – were markedly reduced. Green tea was found to lower the inflammatory compound, fibrinogen. Reporting, “Short-term intake of cocoa and green tea flavanols [us] affect selected markers of one or more measures of oxidative stress, inflammation or hemostasis in obese adults at risk for insulin resistance.”

Stote KS, Clevidence BA, Novotny JA, et al. Effect of cocoa and green tea on biomarkers of glucose regulation, oxidative stress, inflammation and hemostasis in obese adults at risk for insulin resistance. Eur J Clin Nutr. August 1, 2012.

To stay updated on the latest breakthroughs in natural approaches to manage the body’s process of inflammation, visit the World Health Network (www.worldhealth.net), the official educational website of the A4M and your one-stop resource for authoritative anti-aging information. Be sure to sign up for the free Longevity Magazine e-journal, your weekly health newsletter featuring wellness, prevention, and biotech advancements in longevity.