The Neuro-Protective Lifestyle

Nine Natural Neuroprotective Agents You Can’t Live Without!

Posted on 22. Feb, 2009 by Kerry Friesen, M.D. in Cogniceuticals

Protect This!

Don’t wait for the next “block-buster” study to come along to give you permission to integrate the latest neuroprotective agents into your day to day life—it may be too late.  

While scientists are busy conducting bench research (controlled laboratory studies) and not talking to one another, ethnobotanists are collecting real-world data that can help your brain survive the onslaught of aging and the 21st century.

The following nine neuroprotective agents are as close as your local supermarket or quality health-food store.  

1. Astaxanthin 4 mg 2 per day
2. Boswellia 100 mg one per day
3. Caffeine (coffee, have some)
4. Curcumin 250 mg 2 per day
5. E vitamins as tocotrienols 200 mg 2 per day
6. Flavonoids from food
7. Grapefruit juice (naringenin 250 mg 2 per day)
8. Huperzine 50 mcg 2 per day
9. Ubiquinol 50 mg 2 per day

JUST ASK ASTAXANTHIN

One of my all time favorite antioxidants is astaxanthin (ast uh ZAN thin). It’s just one of 700 carotenoids and is found in everything from marine animals to vegetables.

An optical isomer of astaxanthin is responsible for  the “rainbow” in rainbow trout.  More importantly, astaxanthin quenches singlet oxygen, prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, reduces the risk for age-related macular degeneration, protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation and exhibits neuroprotective properties.

BOSWELLIA BEATS ALL

Nothing beats boswellic acid when it comes to naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agents.  Boswellic acid is the active component of  Boswellia Serrata (frankincense) and has essentially the same pharmacologic effect as non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)—without the nasty side-effects of course.  Given that neuroinflammation is the hallmark of most neurodegenerative disorders, naturally occurring antiinflammatory agents are high on the list of important neuroprotective agents.

CURCUMINOIDS COUNT

Curcumin is a close second.  Curcumin is an extract of tumeric and tumeric is a member of the ginger family.  Curcuminoids have been the subject of 6 human trials, all of which demonstrated safety in addition to potent anti-inflammatory properties.  In another study, both naringenin (the bitter principle in grapefruit juice) and curcumin were able to protect the dopamine producing cells of the substantia nigra area of the brain in a rat model of Parkinson’s Disease.

I NEED NARINGENIN (AND A CUP OF COFFEE)

Of note, by inhibiting an isomer of the P450 cytochrome in the liver, naringenin enhances both the psychostimulant and neuroprotective properties of caffeine.  While not exotic, the neuroprotective effects of caffeine (3 cups per day) are now well established from both a mechanistic and population based study perspective.

TOUCHED BY A TOCOTRIENOL

Not to be confused with tocopherols, tocotrienols possess an unsaturated side chain that allow deep penetration into the brain. Even nanomolar concentrations of tocotrienols within the brain prevent the excitotoxic effects of the neurotransmitter glutamate.  No small feat given that glutamate induced neurotoxicity is currently the subject of intense neuroscientific research.

FLAVONOIDS FIRST

Flavonoids are found in everything from red wine to raspberries.  Citrus flavonoids however,  possess the one property critical to brain health—lipophilicity.  Lipophilic (read fat soluble) compounds are able to traverse the blood brain barrier and “bring the goods home” so to speak.  Hesperetin, naringenin and their metabolites do what nanotechnologists only wish they could—consistently and safely permeate the brain and impart a neuroprotective effect.  

HELP FROM HUPERZINE

Huperzine A is an alkaloid derived from the Chinese club moss Huperzia serrata. Huperzine is a naturally occurring acetylcholine esterase inhibitor.  In other words, huperzine has the same pharmacologic properties as Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl—medications that I have prescribed for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease for years—minus the potential adverse effects!  When the enzyme acetylcholine esterase is inhibited, acetylcholine levels increase in the brain.  Acetylcholine is the major  excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain—no acetylcholine—no neuroplasticity—no new memories.

Better yet, huperzine is a known NMDA receptor antagonist.  NMDA receptors are activated by glutamate, an amino acid/ neurotransmitter that when released in excessive amounts generate what neuroscientists call the “glutamate storm”.  Head trauma, stroke and chronic neurodegenerative diseases all involve excessive amounts of glutamic acid. Huperzine limits the damage and mops up the aftermath of the storm.

UBIQUINOL: IT’S EVERYWHERE YOUR BRAIN NEEDS TO BE    

CoQ10 or ubiquinone was discovered in 1957, its molecular structure determined in 1958 and its true physiologic function—unfolding as we speak!   A transfer of electrons converts ubiquinone to ubiquinol and creates the active antioxidant component of CoQ10. Compared to CoQ10, ubiquinol has increased bioavailability thereby doubling plasma levels without side-effects.  Human mitochondria are extraordinarily rich with CoQ10.  Without it, oxidative stress results in damaged DNA and mitochondrial dysfunction.  Mitochondrial dysfunction is causally linked to Parkinson’s Disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.  

So why wait?  Neuroprotection is a life-long endeavor that starts today.  Prevent the glutamate gate from swinging open and the flood of neurotoxicity that comes with it!

Tags: caffeine, CoQ10, natural MAO-inhibitors, neuroprotective agents, selegiline, Tim Russert, tocotrienols