Orthomolecular Compounds Flashcards
what does orthomolecular means and who invented the term?
Orthomolecular mean the right molecules in the right amount. Orthomolecular compounds are naturally synthesised by the body but additional amount can be sourced from diet or supplements
Linus Pauling
what does orthomolecular medicine describes?
preventing and treating disease by providing the body the optimal amount of substances it also produce => optimal nutritional environment will reduce disease
Emphasis on prevention, restoration and maintenance of health through nutrients normally present in the body
explain how you can use orthomolecular compounds for healthy ageing?
ageing process = free radical exposure, chronic inflammation, low sleep, heavy alcohol, poor nutrition, pollution …
reversing ageing with use of CoQ10, ALA and antioxidants
what is CoQ10 ?
Present in every cell’s mitochondria - plays a key role in ATP production
Exist in an oxidised form (ubiquinone) and reduced form (ubiquinol) ==> good antioxidant because can give an electron and oxidise itself and not create oxidative damage
what factors reduce CoQ10?
ageing, drugs (statins), smoking, CVD
Food sources of CoQ10>
Plant: nuts (peanuts and pistachio), sesame seeds, olive oil, oranges, strawberries, avocado, cauliflower, brocoli
Animal: meat, poultry, fish (SMASH), eggs
what cooking method to avoid for CoQ10 and why?
15-30% of CoQ10 is lost when food is fried => fat soluble
5 functions of CoQ10?
- energy production => CoQ10 needed for Electron Transport Chain
- antioxidant => Potent fat soluble antioxidant inhibits the per oxidation of cell membrane lipids. Neutralise free radical produced by mitochondria
- Periodontal health => need for CoQ10 increase with diseased gum because create oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction
- Male and Female fertility => CoQ10 protects sperm from oxidative stress (are very susceptible to OS because have a lot of DHA in their membrane). Low CoQ10 can drive ageing oocytes and infertility in woman
- CV health => coq10 key to cardiac muscle function as requires high ATP production. Protects against endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.
Why is it important to increase CoQ10 with ageing? What dosage?
CoQ10 naturally decrease with ageing
Dosage = 100-200 mg/ day divided
Consequences of CoQ10 depletion
fibromyalgia, type 2 diabetes, CVD, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer
dosage of coq10 for periodontitis?
50-80mg/day combines with mouth health routine
dosage of coq10 for female and male reproductive health
male 200-300mg for 6 months
female 100-600mg
why CoQ10 is important for Cardio vascular health?
CV health => coq10 key to cardiac muscle function as requires high ATP production. Protects against endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.
=> reduces LDL oxidation
=> inhibit NF-KB (protein that controls pro inflammatory cytokines production)
=> increase superoxide dismutase activity (preserve NO activity helpful for HBP)
Explain the problem with statins and CoQ10?
Statins drugs are used to reduce cholesterol, but they also reduce CoQ10 because both compound are synthesise via the same pathway (the Mevalonate pathway).
Statins block the HMG-CoA enzymes and stop the Mevalonate pathway.
recommend client on statin to supplement CoQ10
which enzyme stop statins and which pathway does it affect?
HMG-CoA enzymes
Mevalonate Pathway
what dosage of CoQ10 for someone on statin?
90-300mg/day
CoQ10 supplementation, safety, adverse effect and interaction?
Safety: safe - no research on pregnant women (appart on woman at risk of preeclampsia and reduced it greatly - 200mg/day for 20 weeks)
Adverse effects: nausea, diarrhoea, appetite suppression, heartburn, abdominal discomfort. => reduce dose to 100mg divided
Interaction: may decrease warfarin effects s coq10 structure similar to vitK
Therapeutic uses of CoQ10 and associated dosage?
- Fatigue, Fibromyalgia (300mg in divided doses / day
- Healthy ageing (100-200mg / day)
- Periodontitis ( 50-80mg / day)
- Male sperm health (200-300mg/day) and Female egg health (100-600mg/day)
- Hypertension, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure (60-300mg /day)
What is ALA (Alpha Lipoic Acid)?
ALA is an organosulphur compound synthesised by human, plants and animals
what are the two forms of ALA? which is more potent?
R-form (natural) and S-form (synthetic). The R-form is 10x more potent
ALA food source?
Plant: brassicas, spinach, potato, carrot, beets, tomato, pears, brewers’ yeast
Animal source: Red meat, organ meat
7 functions of ALA
- Energy production: ALA is a key coenzyme in Krebs cycle
- Antioxidant: ALA is a potent fat and water soluble antioxidant. ALA can regenerate other antioxidants (vit E, C, Glutathione and CoQ10) + up regulate glutathione expression
- Reproduction: protects sperm DNA, fuel for sperms
- Insuline sensitivity: improve insulin resistance and fasting blood glucose and HbA1c
- Heavy metal chelator
- Peripheral neuropathy: reduce oxidation of myeline sheath
- promote weight loss via: reduce Oxidative stress (fat storage), suppress appetite through influence on AMPK in hypothalamus, increase energy expenditure at rest
Therapeutic use and dosage of ALA?
- fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, mitochondrial support
- sperm health, infertility (600mg/day)
- Diabetes, diabetic neuropathy
- Alzheimer’s (600mg / day), MS, healthy ageing, peripheral neuropathy
- Diabetes mellitus (300-1200mg/day)
- Weight management 1800mg/day
how to take ALA supplements?
On empty stomach to increase bioavailability 1h before or 2h after food
adverse effects of ALA and interactions?
- Rare adverse effect: allergic reaction (skin rash) and GI symptoms)
- Interaction with Biotin as compete for transport across cell membrane
- increase risk of hypoglycaemia in medicated diabetic patients (additive effect)
What nutrient deficiency should you be mindful off with ALA supplementation?
Biotin - compete for transport
What medication interaction exist with ALA supplements?
Diabetic medication - additive effect - monitor blood sugar levels closely as there is a risk of hypoglycaemia
What HbA1c results should be?
Below 6% - someone with diabetes should be kept below 6.5% or less.