[extropy-chat] Let's protect these brains! With Antioxidants!

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I think it's likely that many list members here are going to be playing pivotal roles in the development of the Singularity. [Not that it needs to be stated, but Mr. Yudkowsky is a perfect example]. Given that the Singularity may not arrive for several decades, I think it's important that the "pivotal" people take some easy and reasonable precautions toward protecting their mental faculties. One of the most probable threats is from age-related cognitive decline. As many of you probably know, one of the primary suspects for age-related cognitive decline is cumulative free-radical damage. Fortunately, humans can significantly reduce (but not totally eliminate) further free-radical damage by consuming appropriate antioxidants (eg. Vitamin E, C, and others). I've read a fair amount on the subject of free-radicals and antioxidants, and I thinks it's safe to say that all else being equal, a person can forestall or even effectively prevent age-related cognitive decline by
 consuming the correct antioxidants in the correct amounts. There is a core of so-called "Network Antioxidants" which synergize powerfully with each other inside the brain (eg. by recycling each other and/or operating in varied cellular environments). These are: Vitamin C, Vitamin E (take the "natural" spectrum E), Coenzyme Q-10, R-Lipoic Acid, and Glutathione. Don't take Glutathione as a supplement! There is some evidence that it is harmful. Stay away from the synthetic L- or DL- prefixed vitamin E, try to get the natural (D-), full spectrum Vitamin E (which is a mixture of eight different "forms") in a dosage of about 400 IU daily. Coenzyme Q-10 is an iffy call, with some evidence that it may be ineffective and or slightly harmful - I wouldn't fully recommend supplementing with it. R-Lipoic acid is the most powerful known antioxidant (has the greatest reducing potential), yet it is made within our bodies naturally (in very small, inadequate amounts) and is completely safe
 at reasonable dosages. The only "side-effect" which one might encounter at ridiculously high dosages is a moderate drop in blood glucose. Stick with ~100mg daily and you won't have any problems. Vitamin C is also totally safe unless you are trying to overdose with it and exceed around 10,000 milligrams daily - you won't overdose successfully but you will get some pretty bad diarrhea.  :-) . 1000 - 1500 mg daily is a good amount. If you would like to know more about Antioxidants, Free-Radicals, and Cognitive decline, I highly recommend the books: "The Antioxidant Miracle" (explains the details of the "Network Antioxidants") by Dr. Lester Packer M.D. and "Your Miracle Brain" by Jean Carper. That's a lot of "Miracles", I know, but these really are informative books. Or you can just Google for this info. I'm sorry, I'm feeling way too lazy to go searching for links today. 
   
  At the very least, we should all consider taking 2 X 500mg Vitamin C, daily. It's a powerfully effective brain antioxidant, it's totally harmless, and it's damned inexpensive. And a good quality multi-vitamin is a good idea too. 
  "I'm seriously, you guys."  X-D
   
  For the record: Just in case it's not painfully obvious, I'm not a medical doctor, or a medical expert. Please consult your doctor before adding to your diet any of the supplements mentioned here.
   
  Best Wishes,
   
  Jeffrey Herrlich        



 		
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