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While a number of anti-glycating agents are in the development stage, Aminoguanidine has been available in Europe for many years.
As more European suppliers have begun offering aminoguanidine, the cost ahs declined sharply, making this an inexpensive addition to one's life extension regimen.
Function
Gylcosylation is the pathological binding of glucose to an amino acid that results in the formation of a non-functioning structure in the body. Diabetics suffer from an accelerated rate of glycosylation, and many of the premature degenerative diseases common in Type I and Type II diabetes is attributed to the glycosylation process.
As organisms age, glycosylation becomes a major factor in the development of aging-relating disease. Some gerontologists believe that glycosylation is the most significant biologic event responsible for the degenerative diseases of arterial system, the eye and the brain. Those seeking to add healthy years to their lives have a significant interest in interfering with the glycosylation process.
Oxidative damage plays a role in the glycosylation process, which helps to explain why antioxidant supplements have shown benefit in preventing diseases associated with diabetes. It requires a lot more than antioxidant, however, to adequately block age-related glycosylation.
Directions
Healthy adults may consider taking 300mg of aminoguanidine a day (or every other day), while diabetics could consider a maximum dose of 600mg a day. Semi-monthly CBC and chemistry blood tests should be considered in order to protect against any unknown toxicities.
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GLOSSARY
Amino Acid (Amino Acids)
An organic acid containing nitrogen chemical building blocks that aid in the production of protein in the body. Eight of the twenty-two known amino acids are considered "essential," and must be obtained from dietary sources because the body can not synthesize them.
Antioxidant (Antioxidants)
A chemical compound that slows or prevents oxygen from reacting with other compounds. Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from oxidative damage caused by molecules called free radicals. These chemicals can damage important parts of cells, such as proteins, membranes, and DNA. Some antioxidants have been shown to have cancer-protecting potential because they neutralize free radicals. Examples include vitamins C and E, beta carotene, the minerals selenium and germanium, superoxide dismutase (SOD), coenzyme Q10, catalase, and some amino acids.
Arterial (Arteries, Artery)
Blood that leaves the heart. When it leaves the right ventricle, it is venous blood; and when it leaves the left ventricle, through the aorta, it is fresh and oxygenated. After it has passed out to the capillaries and started to return, it is venous blood.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A set of measurements that are generally determined by specially designed machines that analyze the different components of blood in less than a minute. The values generally included are:- White blood cell count (WBC). The number of white blood cells in a volume of blood. Normal range varies slightly between laboratories but is generally between 4,300 and 10,800 cells per cubic millimeter. This can also be referred to as the leukocyte count and can be expressed in international units as 4.3 - 10.8 x 10^9 cells per liter.
- Automated white cell differential. A machine-generated percentage of the different types of white blood cells, usually split into granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
- Red cell count (RBC). The number of red blood cells in a volume of blood. Normal range varies slightly between laboratories but is generally between 4.2 - 5.9 million cells per cubic millimeter. This can also be referred to as the erythrocyte count and can be expressed in international units as 4.2 - 5.9 x 10^12 cells per liter.
- Hemoglobin (Hb). The amount of hemoglobin in a volume of blood. Normal range for hemoglobin is different between the sexes and is approximately 13 - 18 gm/dl for men and 12 - 16 for women (international units 8.1 - 11.2 millimoles/liter for men, 7.4 - 9.9 for women).
- Hematocrit (Hct). The ratio of the volume of red cells to the volume of whole blood. Normal range for hematocrit is different between the sexes and is approximately 45 - 52% for men and 37 - 48% for women.
- Mean cell volume (MCV). The average volume of a red cell. This is a calculated value derived from the hematocrit and red cell count. Normal range is 86 - 98 femtoliters.
- Mean cell hemoglobin (MCH). The average amount of hemoglobin in the average red cell. This is a calculated value derived from the measurement of hemoglobin and the red cell count. Normal range is 27 - 32 picograms.
- Mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The average concentration of hemoglobin in a given volume of red cells. This is a calculated volume derived from the hemoglobin measurement and the hematocrit. Normal range is 32 - 36%.
- Red cell distribution width (RDW). A measurement of the variability of red cell size. Higher numbers indicate greater variation in size. Normal range is 11 - 15.
- Platelet count. The number of platelets in a volume blood. Platelets play a vital role in blood clotting. Normal range varies slightly between laboratories but is in the range of 150,000 - 400,000 per cubic millimeter (150 - 400 x 10^9 per liter).
Diabetes Mellitus (Diabetes, Diabetic, Diabetics)
A disease with increased blood glucose levels due to lack or ineffectiveness of insulin. Diabetes is found in two forms; insulin-dependent diabetes (juvenile-onset) and non-insulin-dependent (adult-onset). Symptoms include increased thirst; increased urination; weight loss in spite of increased appetite; fatigue; nausea; vomiting; frequent infections including bladder, vaginal, and skin; blurred vision; impotence in men; bad breath; cessation of menses; diminished skin fullness. Other symptoms include bleeding gums; ear noise/buzzing; diarrhea; depression; confusion.
Glucose
A sugar that is the simplest form of carbohydrate. It is commonly referred to as blood sugar. The body breaks down carbohydrates in foods into glucose, which serves as the primary fuel for the muscles and the brain.
Glycosylation (Glycation)
An enzymatic process by which sugars are attached to proteins. Although the term "non-enzymatic glycosylation" is common, "glycation" is the word that is used to describe the non-enzymatic attachment of sugars to proteins. Glycosylation is reversible, wheras glycation is either irreversible, or leads to Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs). This protein cross-linking is characteristic of long-life proteins and is notable in the eye and in collagen. It is likened to "rusting" of tissue and contributes to the aging process.
Milligram (mg, Milligrams)
0.001 or a thousandth of a gram.
Last updated: Oct 08, 2008
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