[extropy-chat] Life Extension: creatine

[Neil H.]

Hm... I wonder if it would be worthwhile for us to put together a wikibook
about nootropics and other supplements...

On 10/7/05, Acy James Stapp <astapp at amazeent.com> wrote:
>
> 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
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