01 May 2002

At last, I am completing the final edit on my book, Age Power, which will be published in Britain in August, and in the Southern Hemisphere in September and October. The process of writing it has been life changing for me. In no small part this is thanks to some of the natural solutions to age degeneration which my research uncovered – some of which I have been using myself for several months. My energy levels are so high that my family threaten to force me to start smoking, or something, so that they can handle me more easily. In the process, I have discovered what has to be the most effective anti aging skin care product ever invented. It is so good I wish I owned the company – who knows maybe I will see if I can buy into it eventually? I wish I had had access to the cellular biologist - a guy name Nicholaos Skouras – who invented these anti aging skin care products when I conceived, and created, the Origins Skincare range for Estee Lauder in the late eighties. Amongst other things I have been exploring many different natural substances for space age brain support, I thought I would share a few of those here with you.

In recent years a great many natural substances – either metabolites that occur in the human body or occur naturally in our foods or herbs – have become popular brain-helpers because they offer protection from brain-related age degeneration and all of the emotional and mental dramas that accompany it. There are many known brain boosters which are now considered to be safe and user friendly. Most are available over the counter. Some, such as DHEA and melatonin, can be purchased freely in one country but not in another. Others such as Ginkgo biloba extract, acetyl L-carnitine, blueberry or bilberry extracts are widely available just about everywhere. Each has specific actions. If these actions coincide with a particular need you have they are well worth looking at as possible supplements. But remember what comes first is diet and lifestyle. No brain-enhancer, no matter how effective, can work its wonders in a neglected, malnourished, toxic body. Here are a few of my favorites.

ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID

Often called a master nutrient, alpha-lipoic acid is so unique and important for health that small amounts of it are made by your body. It helps burn glucose and convert it into energy to power your brain as well as every organ in the body and it provides noticeable cognitive effects. It also offers high level antioxidant protection against free radical damage. It even enhances the actions of other antioxidants such as vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients which you should be getting in your diet. It helps preserve the functions of vitamins C and E. So powerful an effect can alpha-lipoic acid have on improving the function of the brain, that in the early 90’s the German government approved it as a treatment for diabetic polyneuropathy - a serious nerve disorder. It also helps prevent Syndrome X and glucose problems. It increases your brain’s ability to produce energy while protecting it from nerve damage. It reduces the formation of AGE’s, naturalizes free radicals, lowers glucose levels and reduces insulin resistance. The recommended dose to help prevent Syndrome X and as a general antioxidant supplement is from 50 to 100mg daily. To help reverse glucose intolerance and Syndrome X, 100 to 200mg daily.

ACETYL L-CARNITINE

Another important antioxidant is acetyl L-carnitine, which has more than 50 controlled studies under its belt which demonstrate its remarkable ability to boost overall antioxidant actions. Used as a supplement, it has been shown to increase intelligence, prevent loss of brain function and enhance memory. In no small part this is because acetyl L-carnitine helps restore normal acetylcholine metabolism, improving memory and cognition. Acetyl L-carnitine is used to treat depression and memory loss in the aged, to counter Alzheimer’s disease, and to improve mental processes in people of any age. The generally recommended dose is 500 to 2000mg per day.

Caution: Acetyl L-carnitine is well tolerated. However, a high dose can induce restlessness, agitation and very occasionally nausea in a very few people.

GINKGO BILOBA

A standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba containing 24 percent ginkgoflavoglycosides has shown itself again and again to be an effective anti-aging supplement offering particular enhancement to the brain. It can be useful to improve short term memory and to counter depression. Ginkgo is the world’s oldest living tree species. Its heritage goes back more than two hundred million years. Throughout recorded history, Ginkgo has been associated with longevity thanks to its ability as a plant to resist disease, pollution and insect attack. It has long been considered a powerful promoter of longevity. Ginkgo is useful both for its antioxidant properties and - thanks to its ability to enhance blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain - known to improve many symptoms of brain aging, including memory loss, headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears, depression and dementia. When using Ginkgo, look for a standardized extract of 24 percent ginkgoflavoglycosides, as this is what has been most studied and is confirmed to be effective. Ginkgo enhances the synthesis of ATP, bringing more energy to the brain and the body as a whole. Most studies with Gingko use daily doses of 120 to 160mg (50:1 concentration 24 percent flavonoids). For anti-aging maintenance 40 to 50 mg. three times a day is generally considered a good dose. Practitioners of natural medicine often double these quantities when they are seeking therapeutic effects from this marvelous plant. You need a few weeks for positive results to be fully appreciated.

I am about to throw myself headlong into two exciting projects: The first is a novel, called Selkie, which was commissioned by Harper Collins quite a while ago, but has just now ripened enough to allow me to complete it. It is such an adventure for me and so wonderful to be writing fiction again - particularly after spending eighteen months immersed in biochemistry while producing The X Factor Diet and Age Power. The second project, I am now beginning, is the first two courses offered by the Global Film School. This is an organization put together by three of the finest film schools in Britain, Australia and the United States. It enables you to follow a hands-on filming making course via the Internet I am really excited about this, as I want to turn Selkie the novel into a screenplay, and never having written a screenplay I am certainly going to need some help, plus a lot of sweat, to learn my new craft. Wish me luck! I hope you all have a wonderful month.

Leslie