3 replies to this topic

[Exception]

I keep reading journal articles that subtly suggest that the hippocampus has a role to play in aging, with more neurogenesis usually being seen as better. However these article never really explain the role that the hippocampus plays. They appear to be written under the assumption that anyone reading them already knows about it.

 

Can somebody explain the role that the hippocampus plays in aging?

[PeaceAndProsperity]

Another case of "aging" being used as a term with an all-encompassing meaning.

[Turnbuckle]

Below is an article for the layman--

 

In the study, Cai and his colleagues probed the hypothalamus's role in aging in mice. The team studied a protein complex called nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), which plays a central role in inflammatory processes.

The researchers showed that activating the NF-κB pathway in the mouse hypothalamus sped up aging, demonstrated by decreased muscle strength and size, skin thickness and learning ability. The activation led to aging throughout the body that shortened the life span of the mice.

 

In contrast, when the researchers blocked the NF-κB pathway, the mice aged more slowly and lived about 20 percent longer than mice that didn't receive the treatment.

 

http://www.livescien...d-by-brain.html

 

 

 

So how to block NF-κB (considered the master regulator of inflammatory responses)? One supplement that appears to work is anthocyanin, which is found in blueberries and can be bought in capsules. This has been reported to extend the lives of flies and worms by 10%. Not too exciting, though. With hypertensive rats, anthocyanin actually killed them more quickly. See Fig. 2 of this paper.

 

 

 

 

[Junk Master]

With regard to suppression of the NF-kB pathway this might be of some interest--

 

"Results. Treatments with the natural chemopreventive compounds resulted in different responses in the NF-κB-luciferase assay. ITCs such as phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), sulforaphane (SUL), allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), and curcumin (CUR) strongly inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB-luciferase activations, whereas RES increased activation at lower dose, but inhibited activation at higher dose, and tea flavonoids and procyanidin dimers had little or no effects. ITCs, CUR, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and RES reduced LPS-induced IκBα phosphorylation. Furthermore, in the MTS assay, PEITC, SUL, and CUR also potently inhibited cell growth. Caspase-3 activity was induced by chemopreventive compounds, however, the kinetics of caspase-3 activation varied between these compounds within the 48-h time period."

 

From "https://link.springe...2413.43212.cf."

 

Personally, I've started adding broccoli seeds to my MCT/Coconut water/chia seed/creatine/protein or BCAA shakes.

 

Have I been able to feel any difference?  Well, I believe I have less post exercise muscle soreness and that my immune system has been better able to fight off cold/sinus infections-- but its really been too early to tell.