Maintaining muscle promotes extended survival in wasting diseases by Jerry Brainum

Cachexia is the term applied to body wasting,marked by an extensive loss of muscle, that occurs in 80% of patients with advanced cancer, and also accounts for 30% of deaths from cancer. In typical cases of cachexia, both fat and muscle are lost. The loss of muscle signals a downward trend, and as expected, makes the patient feel even worse. While the occurrence of cachexia is common, the exact cause remains elusive to medical researchers. Implicated in the process are various inflammatory pathways of the body, along with a significant drop in the level of anabolic hormones, including IGF-1, testosterone, and insulin.
     In a new study involving mice with implanted tumors, another catabolic pathway was found to be the predominant cause of cachexia and associated muscle-wasting. This pathway involves the activin type-2 receptor (AT2R). Activin is known to be involved in the release of myostatin, a protein that prevents muscle hypertrophy and promotes muscle catabolism or breakdown. In the mouse study, researchers injected the mice with a soluble version of AT2R. Previous studies have shown when this substance was supplied to mice, it dramatically blunted the activity of myostatin, resulting in significant growth of muscle mass. Providing AT2R to mice with tumors extended their lives by several weeks, despite having no effect on the tumors themselves or on bodyfat losses. In fact, the cancer-stricken mice even showed a gain in muscle mass.Based on this finding, the study authors suggest that blocking the activity of AT2R may extend the life of those afflicated with any type of disease that features a massive loss of muscle.
     Besides preserving skeletal muscle mass, the soluble injectable version of AT2R also reversed the loss of cardiac muscle. Elevated levels of myostatin have been previously implicated in causing heart failure, which makes sense since the heart is a muscle, and myostatin helps to degrade muscle.
    From a bodybuilding and exercise standpoint, myostatin has held a particular fascination because of its potent effects of promoting muscle mass in animals. It not only produces larger muscles, but also promotes a loss of bodyfat. On the negative side, myostatin is required for connective tissue repair, and blocking it could result in increased tendon and ligament injuries. Various supplements have been offered that are touted to block myostatin. These included a seaweed-based compound that worked well in test-tube studies, but did nothing for intact human bodies. A more recent version is derived from eggs, known as follistatin. This version is no doubt based on animal studies showing that injected follistatin does indeed effectively block myostatin,. But there is as yet no convincing evidence that an oral supplement would duplicate the effect. This is particularly true because follistatin is a protein, and would undergo the typical digestive effects of all orally ingested proteins, which of course would inactivate it.

Zhou X, et al. Reversal of cancer cachexia ands muscle wasting by ActR2-B antagonism leads to prolonged survival. Cell 2010;142:531-43.

 

©,2015 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

"Junk" ingredient may be better than the real thing by Jerry Brainum

Resveratrol supplements are highly popular on the Internet and elsewhere. This popularity stems from animal research findings, in which high doses of resveratrol produced some anti-aging and various other health benefits in the animals. One finding was that resveratrol appeared to impart protective effects against the onset of diabetes. It does this by helping to prevent high blood glucose levels, and also may prevent some adverse cardiovascular effects common in those with diabetes. This is significant because diabetes onset is on the rise throughout the world. While type-2 diabetes used to be called "adult-onset diabetes" because it was more common in those over age 40, early signs of diabetes, such as insulin resistance, are turning up in children as young as 12. The increased incidence of diabetes is linked to both poor diets, rich in fructose and trans fats, as well as physical inactivity.
     The problem with resveratrol as a cure-all is twofold. For one, the dose supplied in animal studies are far higher than is ever consumed naturally.Red wine is one of the richest sources of natural resveratrol, yet the amounts provided of resveratrol in animal studies are equivalent to thousands of bottles of wine. Another problem with resveratrol is that there is little or no human evidence that it provides similar benefits to that shown in animal research. But this doesn't stop countless human guinea pigs from self-dosing themselves with megadoses of resveratrol in the belief that it will both make them healthier, as well as slow the aging process.
   As you might expect, resveratrol supplements aren't cheap. To use the doses frequently suggested on various Internet sites could cost a few hundred dollars per month. One measure of the quality of resveratrol supplements is purity. This is measured by the percentage of the active isomer of resveratrol, trans resveratrol. The higher the content of trans resveratrol, the more expensive the supplement. Nearly all resveratrol supplements are derived from a plant called polygonum cuspidatum, most of which emanates from China. One of the other ingredients in this plant is a substance called emodin, which is considered undesirable by those who use high dose resveratrol supplements because it produces laxative effects. As such, frequent warnings are often voiced on various Internet longevity forums about only using "high quality" resveratrol supplements,lest you be exposed to the hidden dangers of emodin in lower grade supplements.
   An ironic aspect of this is that emodin is pretty good stuff. Studies show that it may help prevent various types of cancer, independent of any resveratrol effect. More recent studies show that it may be a potent preventive against the onset of type-2 diabetes. Animal studies show that emodin provided to mice with diet-induced obesity (the primary diabetes risk factor) lowers elevated blood glucose and insulin levels, and also improves insulin resistance, the first stage of diabetes. Even more impressive, however, is that emodin inhibits an enzyme called 11B-HSD-1 that works to convert inactive cortisone into active cortisol. This enzyme is known to be active in fat cells, and there is a theory that overactivity of the enzyme in fat cells both promotes and perpetuates obesity, particularly in the central part of the body, or trunk. This type of fat is considered most dangerous to health because of an association with diabetes and CVD onset. Excess levels of cortisol produced by the enzyme oppose the actions of insulin,leading to insulin resistance.
     If emodin proves as effective in humans as it is in mice, it will be a potent preventive against the onset of both diabetes and cardiovascular disease. And yes, in large doses in may also act as a laxative. But considering how many people have a problem with  that, too, I'd say that's a bonus effect of emodin.

©,2013 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

Depressed? Just ask for SAMe by Jerry Brainum

S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) is a metabolite of the essential amino acid, L-methionine. It is produced naturally in the body, and plays a pivotal role in a number of important reactions in the body. SAMe works by donating a one-carbon methyl group in a process called transmethylation. As such, it's a primary methyl donor of the human body. This means that SAMe is vital to the production of a number of substances produced in the body, including DNA, RNA, phospholipids, creatine, melatonin, and other substances. The methylation of DNA is critical for a process called gene silencing. This gene silencing helps to suppress the onset of cancer by stopping the activity of certain genes. SAMe also acts to help synthesize phosphatidlycholine in the body, a substance that plays an important structural role in cell membranes, and is also involved in the production of acetylcholine in the brain, which is vital for memory and learning functions. SAMe also helps to maintain chromosome structure through contributing a methyl group needed to produce histones. L-carnitine is produced from methylated lysine residues, so SAMe is involved here, too. Without SAMe, your body woundn't produce epinephrine, creatine, melatonin, glutathione, or the amino acids taurine and cysteine.
   Supplemental SAMe is best ingested on an empty stomach using enterically coated tablets to prevent premature destruction of SAMe in the gut. it reaches peak blood levels in about 3 to 5 hours.Unfortunately, a large amount of ingested SAMe is broken down in the liver following oral ingestion. One thing that's important to keep in mind is that SAMe is converted into a potentially toxic amino acid byproduct called homocysteine. On the other hand, this effect is preventable by also ingesting vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid, which activate enzymes that convert homocysteine into a harmless, rapidly excreted form.
     Because of its beneficial effect on brain neurotransmitters, SAMe produces an antidepressant effect in the brain. Studies show that in this respect, SAMe is as effective as tricyclic antidepressants, but unlike the drugs, doesn't produce as many side effects. In addition, while drugs can take 4-6 weeks to begin working, SAMe starts to work in about a week. A new study just found that when SAMe is provided in a dose of 800 mgs twice daily to people who had not responded to drug antidepressants, most of the subjects did show marked improvement in their depressive symptoms.Other studies show that SAMe may help in preventing Alzheimer's disease, and prevent mood disturbances in those afflicted with the disease. But those with bipolar disease should avoid using SAMe, since it may increase the mania portion of the disease.
        Another use for SAMe may be to treat liver disease. Levels of SAMe are depleted in liver disease, and SAMe is known to help preserve the fluidity of liver cell membranes. It helps to restore depleted levels of glutathione, a major antioxidant and detoxifying factor in the liver. Studies show that SAMe may help releive cholestasis, a slowdown of bile flow in the liver usually caused by liver inflammation. This is a common side effect of high dose oral anabolic steroid usage. Through increasing glutathione levels in the liver, SAMe may prevent or reverse liver toxicity caused by various drugs,alcohol, and toxic chemicals.
     SAMe also provides potent anti-inflammatory effects that are coomparable to some drugs.While the drugs work faster than SAMe to relieve pain,SAMe can match the effects of drugs over time. For this purpose, larger doses of SAMe are required, usually in the range of 1,200-1,600 milligrams daily, and this can be quite expensive. But when used in smaller doses, such as 200-400 milligrams daily, SAMe may work synergistically with other joint nutrients, such as glucosamine and chondroitin to help protect joints.
     SAMe rarely produces side effects in doses up to 1,600 milligrams daily. Possible rare side effects include gastrointestinal upset, anxiety, insomnia, and hypomania. Good supplemental forms include SAMe tosyls and SAMe 1,4 butanedisulfonate. The tablets should always be enteric coated, and kept very dry, since exposure to moisture rapidly degrades SAMe. SAMe usually comes in 200 milligram tablets, with a recommended dose range of 400 to 1,600 milligrams daily in divided doses. You use lower doses for joint pain, and higher doses for the antidepressant effect. If it works for you, you'll know in about two weeks. At that time, you can reduce the dose to half and still get the benefits. Again, it should be taken on an empty stomach about an hour prior to meals.

Papakostas G, et al. S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) augmentation of serotonin reuptake inhibitors for antidepressant nonresponders with major depressive disorder: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial.Am J Psychiatry 2010: in press.

 ©,2015 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

 Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com

 

Here we go again: alleged kidney toxicity of high protein diets by Jerry Brainum

One of the enduring critiques about high protein diets is that they impose excess stress on the kidneys.I've been hearing this ever since I got into bodybuilding, over 40 years ago. The one thought that immediately comes to mind is since consuming a high protein intake is a common bodybuilding practice, shouldn't some bodybuilders who've followed long-term high protein (HP) diets all suffer from kidney disease? One problem with this is that in many cases, kidney disease isn't readily apparent, unless you undergo specific kidney function tests. Another thing to consider is that kidney function appears to decline with age in many people, with some studies showing that the average person over age 60 walks around with about 40% of kidney function. But even this significant age-related decline isn't enough to produce any overt symptoms in such people. Many people lose a kidney to disease, and live comfortably with only one working kidney.Others contribute one of their kidneys for transplant purposes, and suffer no apparent problems. It is known that when a kidney is removed, the remaining kidney has the ability to compensate for the lost kidney. Still, critics of chronic high protein diets insist that reducing protein intake as you age will likely help preserve kidney function, with the implication being that eating a high protein diet will eventually result in a severe loss of kidney function, which is a long-term process.
      Most of the "proof" that high protein diets are detrimental to kidney function are derived from studies involving those with pre-existing kidney disease, or from animal studies. And even the animal studies are hardly definitive. When animals are fed high protein diets, the workload of the kidneys increase. This is apparent by an increase in the filtering rate of the kidneys. The primary job of the kidneys is to filter the blood, and protein metabolic byproducts, such as urea, must be excreted by the kidneys. When this happens, the kidneys step up the filtering rate. Since the kidneys are now working harder, the idea is that this increased workload stresses the kidneys, resulting in eventual disease. This notion assumes that normally functioning kidneys aren't up to the task, which simply isn't true. Indeed, a 2004 study in which rats were provided with 50% protein diets showed no kidney strain or defects in the rodents. Another study of rats that featured a 60% protein diet also showed no ill effects in their kidneys. Of course, these were short-term studies, and most types of kidney disease are the result of long-term problems related to kidney function.
     The latest animal study that examined the relationship of protein intake to kidney function involved pigs. Pigs were chosen for this study because they have kidney structure and function similar to that of humans. The pigs received either a high protein (35% of total energy intake) or low protein (15% of energy intake) diet that both contained the same number of total daily calories. They consumed these diets for 4 to 8 months. The higher protein diet contained additional amounts of egg and dairy proteins. After 8 months, the pigs on the high protein diet showed enlarged kidneys at the 4 and 8-month marks. Renal and glomerular volumes (internal structure) were 60-70% higher in the HP pigs at the end of the study.The enlarged kidneys in the HP pigs also showed 55% more fibrosis (scar tissue) and 30% more glomerulosclerosis (scarring of the kidney filtering units) compared to the LP pigs.
      Studies of athletes, including bodybuilders, show that consuming a high protein diet doesn't appear to impose any severe stress on the kidneys that the organs cannot handle. As noted, most of the evidence suggesting that a high protein intake is bad for kidney function is derived from those with existing kidney disease. In those people, protein intake must be controlled to decrease the stress on kidneys that are not fully functional. But extrapolating this to those with normal kidney function isn't logical or scientifically sound reasoning. But there might be some truth to long-term effects of a high protein diet on kidney function.
      In a recent interview with a pathologist from Columbia University who specialized in kidney disorders, she suggested that it's actually body mass that really stresses kidney function. The larger you are, whether that mass results from fat or muscle, the more work your kidneys must perform in filtering the blood. She said that while a high protein diet itself isn't dangerous for kidney health, the combination of a large body mass and an excessive  long-term high protein diet of over 300 grams per day would likely increase the risk of scarring of the filtering units of the kidneys, which could eventually result in kidney failure. Recall that one established effect of consuming a high protein diet is increased production of urea, the nitrogen-based metabolic waste product of protein consumption. More protein means greater urea production, which must be dealt with by the kidneys. This involves a significant increase in kidney filtering of the blood, and it's not hard to understand how this, coupled with the increased filtering required for those with larger body mass (larger body mass equals more blood, which means more filtering in the kidneys) could raise the risk of future kidney problems.The obvious solution would be not to continue to ingest massive amounts of protein when you no longer need to such as ,as you age. Along with this, reducing your body mass, preferably bodyfat, would also ease the work of your kidneys.
      Other ways to preserve kidney function include preventing the onset of high blood pressure. While the kidneys require a certain level of blood pressure to properly function (too low a blood pressure can also cause kidney shutdown), too high a blood pressure damages the filtering units of the kidneys, leading to disease and loss of function. It's also vital to stay hydrated. Being dehydrated through not enough fluid intake concentrates toxins, including urea, in the kidneys, again leading to kidney damage. The practice of many bodybuilders of consuming a  high protein diet while restricting water intake is very harsh on the kidneys. One gram of urea nitrogen requires 40-60 milliliters of water for proper kidney excretion of the urea.

Yong J, et al. Long-term high intake of whole proteins results in renal damage in pigs.J Nutr2010: in press.

 ©,2015 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited

Have you been ripped off  by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.

 

The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.

 

See Jerry's book at  http://www.jerrybrainum.com

 

Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com