This article is the third in a series about biohacking for increased lifespan.
We Have Entered a New Era
“We have entered a new era in which the key genes and intracellular pathways responsible for aging and longevity have been identified. Our discovery of the [sirtuin longevity genes] and the fact that their activity is responsive to changes in cellular metabolism and a number of xenohormetic plant compounds –has proven that lifespan is tractable. Not only is the research progressing at an exponential rate, but, right now—today, we can safely utilize emerging knowledge to develop effective longevity-enhancing protocols”. Quote from Lara Pizzorno, MDiv, MA, LMT. http://www.lmreview.com/articles/view/resveratrol-niacin-nicotinamide-riboside-key-players-in-activating-sirtuins-to-mimic-calorie-restriction-extend-lifespan-part-i/
Resveratrol
Resveratrol made a big splash in the 1990s because of its ability to extend the lifespan of laboratory animals. Resveratrol is found in small amounts in a varieties of foods such as grapes, peanuts, pistachios, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, mulberries, lingonberries and chocolate. Resveratrol is also available as a diatary supplement.
Resveratrol’s utility as a biohack is deminished by the fact that altho “resveratrol is well-absorbed after oral administration, and is highly active in the body, yet it has a low bioavailability. It is rapidly metabolized, and hence the levels of unmetabolized resveratrol in the blood are low”.http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Resveratrol.aspx
Synergistic Effects
Is it possible to boosts resveratrols effectiveness? Are there other compounds in food that have a higher bioavailability that can substitute for resveratrol? Surprisingly there are.
In a research paper published in the journal PLoS One, the authors find that the amino acid leucine stimulates the longevity gene Sirtun1 by enabling activation of the gene at the lower NAD+ concentrations. The authors write that “[the effects of leucine] are synergistically enhanced in the presence of [resveratrol]”. The most surprising finding in this research paper is that these “effects are not a unique feature of [resveratrol] but can also be extrapolated to other structurally related compounds, including stilbenes and hydroxycinnamic acids. These effects occur at concentrations that produce no independent effects and can be readily achieved via diet or supplementation. Moreover, some of these synergies were more robust than those we previously found for low-dose [resveratrol] and [leucine]”.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3925247/
So hydroxycinnamic acids or stilbenes with the amino acid leucine can biohack the Sirtun1 longevity gene causing the gene to up-regulate its expression. Moreover this biohack can be achieved through diet or supplementation.
Here is link for foods that contain leucine.
https://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/high-leucine-foods.php
Hydroxycinnamic acids are present in significant amounts in some foods. Caffeic acid is in the family of hydroxycinnamic acids. Below is a table listing some foods along with their caffeic acid (Caf), stilbenes (Stil) and hydroxycinnamic acid (Hydc) content. Coffee is listed to give the reader a reference point.
| Food | Caf | Stil | Hydc | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black chokeberry | 141.14 | ---- | 141.14 | mg/100g |
| Spearmint, dried | 25.00 | ---- | 956.67 | mg/100g |
| Ceylan cinnamon | 24.20 | ---- | 24.75 | mg/100g |
| Common sage, dried | 26.40 | ---- | 667.25 | mg/100g |
| Common sage, fresh | 7.42 | ---- | 127.49 | mg/100g |
| Common thyme, dried | 21.28 | ---- | 888.26 | mg/100g |
| Common thyme, fresh | 11.70 | ---- | 51.20 | mg/100g |
| Italian oregano, fresh | 10.40 | ---- | 165.00 | mg/100g |
| Lingonberry*, raw | 6.34 | 3.00 | 14.39 | mg/100g |
| Coffee beverage [Filter] | 0.03 | ---- | 212.15 | mg/100ml |
- Lingonberry contain 3 mg/100g of resveratrol.
The data in the table was attained from the phenol-explorer. The link is below and you can use it to find the polyphenol content of other foods. http://phenol-explorer.eu/contents/polyphenol/457
Branch Chain Amino Acids
Lucine is an amino acid and amino acids are proteins. More specifically lucine is a branch chain amino acid. People that do weight training may be familiar with branch chain amino acids. Many protein powders have branch chain amino acids added to them.
Branch chain amino acids are considered essential amino acids because your body cant synthesize them. Therefore they must be attained from food. It is unlikely that the average person would need to take branch chain amino acids supplements because they are in most protein sources. Therefore the biohack of hydroxycinnamic acids and leucine shouldn't require a leucine supplement as long as a protein is eaten that contains leucine.
Branch chain amino acids are available in free form in most health food stores and Internet supplement stores. The free form branch chain amino acids enter the blood stream much faster than food protein sources. For more about branch chain amino acids here is a webmd link. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1005-branched-chain%20amino%20acids.aspx?activeingredientid=1005
Conclusion
Altho resveratrol has the ability to extend the lifespan of laboratory animals it is rapidly metabolized making it a poor biohack for longevity.
The amino acid leucine is present in most protein containing foods. The amino acid leucine up-regulates the longevity gene Sirtun1 at low NAD+ concentrations. There is a synergistic effect when resveratrol and the amino acid leucine are combined. Also there is a synergistic effect when hydroxycinnamic acids and the amino acid leucine are combined. These synergistic effects occur at concentrations that produce no independent effects and are readily achievable through diet. Therefore adding spices that contain hydroxycinnamic acids to any protein containing food that you may already be eating may be a good biohack for the Sirtun1 longevity gene.
Remark
The plants that contain hydroxycinnamic acids can be ordered from an herb nursery or a plant nursery. Growing your own plants means that you can use organic fertilizers, keep them pesticide free and they will always be fresh. Also growing your own is a "more reliable source, you can harvest at energy peaks, and you can consume close to harvesting".
Disclaimers
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. As always consult your doctor before making any dietary changes if you are taking any medications.
I have no financial interest in any pharmaceutical or supplement companies.
I am not employed by any pharmaceutical or supplement companies.
Comments
If the steemit community is interested in this topic I plan to do some updates to the article. The updates will cover any dietary supplements that can biohack the 169 enzymes that are responsible the repair of DNA and the 200 genes that are associated with longevity. It would be an enormous project and an expensive one. It would be expensive because a lot of the research papers are behind pay walls and it can cost $35 just to access one research paper.
Also writing is not my strong point I am sure that there are errors and would appreciate suggestions to correct them.