High Performance Living

Another way resveratrol promotes longevity

SIRT1 is a protein that is upregulated during famine or caloric restriction.  It is also upregulated by resveratrol, a compound found in red wine.

A lot of research is being done on resveratrol and synthetic derivatives, with many hopes that a longevity drug will be the results.  And of course, many people are already taking resveratrol as a supplement - I'm currently taking 100 mg/day.

Researchers have discovered more about how this substance works.  One thing it does is regulate and keep active something called "heat shock factor 1" (HSF1). HSF1 can sense when a cell has damaged proteins, and increase the expression of molecules called molecular chaperones, which keep proteins correctly folded. 

So basically, high levels of SIRT1 keep your cellular repair machinery on high alert.  Maybe, just maybe, extending longevity.

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/323/5917/1063

Arginine, amazing amino acid

Arginine is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein. A new study funded by the American Heart Association showed how arginine caused the body to send proteins towards muscle growth, and away from fat storage. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090204161848.htm

Your body also uses arginine to make nitric oxide, the chemical responsible for blood dilation. Benefit for the arteries, and you can kind of think of it as natural viagra.

Arginine supplementation also causes growth hormone release. Growth hormone steadily declines as people age. Higher levels of growth hormone correlate with less body fat, more muscle, and even better skin elasticity.

I often supplement with an arginine formulation before going to bed, because the body pulses a larger amount of growth hormone when you sleep.  And, well, you know...

Ritalin May Cause Changes In Brain’s Reward Areas; Effects May Overlap With Those Of Cocaine

One day humanity will look back on this time and shake their heads about the way we medicated ourselves and our families.  Ritalin is a powerful drug that has really helped some people.  But too many people take this drug, and most could take better care of their brains by optimizing their nutrition.  A quality long-chain omega 3 (fish oil) would be the best place to start.

from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090204193314.htm

A common treatment for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, prescribed millions of times a year, may change the brain in the same ways that cocaine does, a new study in mice suggests. Research from Rockefeller University shows that methylphenidate, commonly known as Ritalin, causes physical changes in neurons in reward regions of mouse brains. In some cases, the effects overlapped with those of cocaine...