[extropy-chat] Life Extension: creatine

[Acy James Stapp]

The most effective over-the-counter nootropic I have seen is a
combination of SAM-E 200mg and Vinpocetine 10mg four times a day. In
summary, SAM-e is a methyl donor for many important biological
compounds, including many neurotransmittersm, creatine, and
phosphatidylcholine. Vinpocetine increases cerebral blood flow, has a
neuroprotective effect, and inhibits acetylcholine release. I've also
had good results with pregnenolone, which is an upstream steroid
precursor and memory enhancer. 

All of these are available OTC in Texas at any well-stocked supplement
store, including Whole Foods and Central Market. The may not be
available in some states. YMMV. As with any nootropic, you should
titrate your dosage by starting low and keeping records of your
cognitive state as you slowly raise the dosage. After a point the gains
start to reverse and you can actually make yourself stupider :P  So be
smart!

Acy
==================
SAM-E info from
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/sad_0231.s
html
ACTIONS

SAMe plays a crucial biochemical role in the body by donating a
one-carbon methyl group in a process called transmethylation. SAMe,
formed from the reaction of L-methionine and adenosine triphosphate
catalyzed by the enzyme S-adenosylmethionine synthetase, is the
methyl-group donor in the biosynthesis of both DNA and RNA nucleic
acids, phospholipids, proteins, epinephrine, melatonin, creatine and
other molecules.

Supplemental SAMe may have anti-depressant and hepatoprotective
activities.
MECHANISM OF ACTION

The mechanism of action of supplemental SAMe is unclear. Much is known,
however, of the mechanism of action of endogenous SAMe.

Methylation of DNA is critical in the biological phenomenon known as
gene silencing. Gene silencing helps suppress genes that may give rise
to cancer or those that may carry information for endogenous
retroviruses. Methylation of RNA, particularly transfer RNA, is
similarly important in safeguarding the form and function of these
molecules in protein synthesis.

SAMe is the methyl donor to phosphatidylethanolamine in the formation of
phosphatidylcholine (PC). PC is a major component of cell membranes and
is vital for maintenance of cellular membrane fluidity, important in
sustaining the bioenergetics and information-processing functions of
cells.

SAMe is also involved in the methylation of histones, major elements in
chromosomal structure. This methylation is believed to play a key role
in the regulation of DNA transcription, the process by which RNA is
formed. The carbon and nitrogen atoms of L-carnitine are derived from
methylated lysine residues, which are formed by methylating certain
proteins with SAMe's methyl group.

SAMe's importance in the body is further emphasized by the fact that it
is also the methyl donor for the synthesis of epinephrine (adrenaline),
creatine, melatonin, glutathione, the polyamines spermine and
spermidine, and the amino acids L-cysteine and taurine, all of which
play vital roles in human health.

==================
Vinpocetine info From
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/vin_0259.s
html
ACTIONS

Vinpocetine has several possible actions, including increasing cerebral
blood flow and metabolism, anticonvulsant, cognition enhancement,
neuroprotection and antioxidant. Vincamine, the parent compound of
vinpocetine, is believed to be a cerebral vasodilator.
MECHANISM OF ACTION

Several mechanisms have been proposed for the possible actions of
vinpocetine. Vinpocetine has been reported to have calcium-channel
blocking activity, as well as voltage-gated sodium channel blocking
activity. It has also been reported to inhibit the acetylcholine release
evoked by excitatory amino acids and to protect neurons against
excitotoxicity. In addition, vinpocetine has been shown to inhibit a
cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase, and it is speculated that this inhibition
enhances cyclic GMP levels in the vascular smooth muscle, leading to
reduced resistance of cerebral vessels and increase of cerebral flow. In
some studies, vinpocetine has demonstrated antioxidant activity
equivalent to that of vitamin E.

==================
Pregnenolone info from
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/pre_0211.s
html
ACTIONS

Supplemental pregnenolone has putative memory-enhancing activity.
MECHANISM OF ACTION

Memory enhancement has been observed in aged animals when given
pregnenolone or pregnenolone sulfate. Pregnenolone sulfate is both a
gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) antagonist and a positive allosteric
modulator at the N-methyl-D-asparatate (NMDA) receptor and may reinforce
neurotransmitter systems that may decline with age.

Pregnenolone sulfate was found to stimulate acetylcholine release in the
adult rat hippocampus. Acetylcholine release may be due to pregnenolone
sulfate's negative modulation of the GABA (A) receptor complex and
positive modulation of the NMDA receptor. While a modest increase in
acetylcholine release facilities memory processes, elevation of
acetylcholine beyond an optimal level is ineffective in doing so.

-----Original Message-----
From: extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org
[mailto:extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org] On Behalf Of
nvitamore at austin.rr.com
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2005 10:31 AM
To: extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org
Subject: [extropy-chat] Life Extension: creatine


Has anyone tried creatine for boosting brain activity?

"Through its role in promoting an abundant pool of cellular energy,
creatine helps support the healthy functioning of muscle, brain, and
other body tissues. A substantial body of research demonstrates that
creatine is a safe and effective tool for managing a wide range of
pathologies, and may be a powerful anti-aging nutrient. Healthy adults
may benefit from supplementing with two to three grams of creatine
daily, while those seeking to address specific health concerns such as
muscle loss or brain injury may benefit from five to ten grams of
creatine daily."  (LE Magazine April 2005)


Natasha