There are many people who are unconvinced of the need to supplement their diet with nutritional products. They say that we have managed to survive for millions of years without taking pills, so there is no reason why we should start taking them now.

There is, however, a powerful argument against this point of view. We are now living in a highly technological society, for the first time since humans walked on Earth. We are constantly surrounded by polluting chemicals, man-made radiation, unhealthy habits, chemically treated and genetically modified food, and other modern 'developments' which take a serious toll on our health.

For example, radiation emitted from mobile phones may accelerate ageing, while the destruction of the ozone layer increases the risk of cataract. Farming practices have changed in recent years, causing a deficiency of vital minerals in the soil. Freezing and food processing also changes the chemical composition of the nutrients in food. All of these and more can result in damage which overwhelms our defence capabilities, so it becomes necessary to give ourselves an extra boost by using a correct and complete combination of supplements.

There are many scientific experiments endorsing the use of vitamins C, E and betacarotene, as well as the use of minerals, particularly those in colloidal form. Manymore trials support the use of plant chemicals and fish oils which contain essential omega-3 oils.

Scientists have also started realising that it is important to take supplements together, and not in isolation. Taking a vitamin capsule here and a mineral tablet there is not going to make any appreciable difference to our health. However, regular use of suitable formulas which contain multiple preparations of vitamins, plant extracts, herbs and minerals could prove valuable in fortifying our bodies against the ravages of modern life.

Ageing and Nitric Oxide
by: Dr. Marios Kyriazis MD, MSc (Gerontology),
Diplom in Geriatric Medicine (Royal College of Physicians), MIBiol, CBiol.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the chemical Nitric Oxide (NO) plays an important role during ageing. NO is a soluble gas and it is created (starting from the aminoacid Arginine) by special processes taking place inside the arteries or in the nerve cells. After its formation, the NO molecule reaches all parts of the body and has a variety of actions, some beneficial to our health and others which are detrimental, contributing to ageing and disease.

Toxic amounts of NO are found in:
* cigarette smoke
* exhaust fumes
* similar chemical pollutants, some of which contribute to acid rain.

In small quantities NO is essential to our health because it helps relax the arteries, reduces high blood pressure and improves circulation of the blood. In fact, the role of NO in stimulating an increased blood flow to the penis led to the discovery of Viagra back in the mid 90's. The properties of NO in relaxing the arteries and improving blood flow are behind the use of Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) in spray form with which people with angina and heart disease are familiar.

NO is also a useful neurotransmitter which helps chemical messages pass from one nerve cell to another. It helps protect brain cells against other toxins and enhances their performance. One of the most useful actions of NO is in stimulating certain receptors in the brain which play a part in memory. One of these receptors is called NMDA (N-Methyl-D-Aspartate) receptor, which keeps parts of the brain active and energised. However not all actions of NO are beneficial.

Certain constituents of viruses and bacteria can induce production of massive amounts of NO which can damage normal cells. NO is a free radical which can, if created in excessive amounts, cause age-related damage to the cell constituents. Other actions of NO include activation of certain chemicals (for example leukotrienes, cytokines and prostaglandins) which are active during the process of inflammation.

One of the newer theories of ageing considers chronic inflammation to be one of the main causes of all age-related diseases. So, anything that can affect inflammation can also affect the ageing process. Excessive production of NO worsens the effects of inflammation and so, in theory, can worsen the rate of ageing. Some scientists believe that repeated infections throughout life, cause an excessive production of NO, which, over time, causes toxic damage to the body resulting in age-related diseases such as:
* heart disease
* hormonal imbalance
* Alzheimer's disease
* diabetes

Stress can also cause an increased production of NO and this is one of the mechanisms responsible for the deleterious effect stress has on the body. In addition, NO can affect the pituitary gland in the brain which is responsible for producing several hormones, most notably growth hormone and oestrogen stimulating hormones. Damage of the pituitary gland results in defective production of growth hormone and oestrogens which result in loss of muscle, increase of fat tissue, menopausal symptoms and other age-related signs.

Melatonin production can also be affected by excessive NO and this observation agrees with the reduction of melatonin seen during ageing. Taking extra amounts of melatonin, growth hormone and oestrogens, is one of the main therapies used in anti-ageing medicine, and those who are researching the actual cause of this hormonal decline think that NO may be to blame.

Returning to the NMDA receptor mentioned above, too much NO can cause over excitation of this receptor which, if allowed to persist over time, results in excitotoxicity (i.e. damage to the brain caused by too much excitation). So in normal amounts, NO is a useful 'memory molecule' whereas in excessive amounts it is toxic to the brain.

Those scientists who support the view that NO causes all of these age-related changes, believe that one way to counteract the effects of NO is to use antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, co-enzyme Q10 and similar, in an attempt to keep NO activity under control. The haemoglobin molecule binds to NO and keeps it in its inactive form, so people who are anaemic (have low haemoglobin) are liable to suffer from excessive NO damage. Meat, deep coloured vegetables and other foodstuffs which are said to keep the haemoglobin at normal levels, may also afford protection against excessive amounts of NO.

Avoiding stress and infection (by boosting the immune system or by using antibiotics when necessary) will reduce the chances of excessive NO production in the first place. The aim is to keep NO under control, i.e. neither too low not too high. Some doctors also recommend taking Arginine supplements to help increase the production of NO in those people who may have low levels. This would result in improvement of blood circulation and reduction of the risk of heart disease.

Experiments in volunteers show that Arginine supplements can relax and dilate blood vessels by about 10%. Some people who want to treat the symptoms of impotence, also use Arginine as a kind of natural Viagra. However, too much elevation of NO, particularly if this remains uncontrolled for long periods, would result in excessive damage as explained above. It is all a matter of balance, and this is highlighted not only by the case of NO, but also by the case of most other age-related chemicals or nutrients.