Orthomolecular compounds Flashcards
What did Linus Pauling define as orthomolecular and what is orthomolecular medicine
“The right molecules in the right amounts”
Preventing and treating disease by providing the body with optimal amounts of substances which it also produces.
PREVENTION OVER CURE.
OPTIMAL NUTRITIONAL ENVIRONMENT WILL REDUCE DISEASE.
Coenzyme Q10 - what are the functions and therapeutic uses
- Energy production: highest quantities in muscle cells
- Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia: daily use 300mg in divided doses)
- Antioxidant: fat soluble antiox, inhibits peroxidation of cell membrane lipids and neutralises free rads produced by mitochondria.
o Decreases with age due to ROS and impaired mitochondrial function
o Depletion can result in mitochondrial dysfunction - Preventative or addresses fibromyalgia, T2DM, CVD, neurodegenerative disease, cancer
- Periodontal health: diseased gums have low levels of CoQ10 due to lipopolysaccharides from gingivalis bacteria triggering oxidative stress/mitochondrial dysfunction.
- Perodontitis 50-80mg/day
- Fertility: protects sperm from oxidative stress. Low CoQ10 can drive age associated oocyte deficits.
- 200-300mg/day for 6 months increases sperm health
- 100-600mg for ovarian health
- CV health: crucial for cardiac muscle function.
o Protects against endothelial dysfunction and therefore atherosclerosis
o Reduces LDL oxidation
o Inhibits Nf-kB activation
o Increases superoxide dismutase activity (preserves NO activity and vasodilator) - Hypertension, angina pectoris, heart failure, post-myocardial infarction
- 60-300mg/day
What is the recommended dose of CoQ10 for healthy ageing
100-200mg day
What is the recommended dose of CoQ10 for periodontal disease
50-80mg
What is the recommended dose of CoQ10 for male and female fertility
Male: 200-300mg for 6 months
Female: 100-600mg for ovarian health
What is the recommended dose of CoQ10 for Statin support
90-300mg/day
What is the recommended dose of CoQ10 for CV health
60-300mg/day
What enzyme does statins inhibit and what does this prevent the production of
HMG CoA reductase
Mevalonic acid, which goes on to synthesise cholesterol and CoQ10
What drug does CoQ10 increase the effects of
warfarin
Alpha Lipoic Acidn(ALA): what are the two forms and which is more potent
Natural R-form
Synthetic S-form
R-ALA 10x more potent
What are the main food sources of ALA
Plant: brassicas, spinach, potato, carrots, beets, tomoatoes,
Animal: red meat, organ meats
Name the functions and therapeutic uses of ALA
Energy production: key conenzyme to convert carbs into energy in mitochondria in krebs cycle. Fuels cells eg spermatozoa
Therapeutic use: fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, mitochondrial support, sperm health
Antioxidant: POTENT fat and water soluble antioxidant. Anti inflammatory.
regenerates other antioxidants eg E C CoQ10. Upregulates expression of glutathione. Improves sperm motility
Therapeutic use: infertility 600mg daily
diabeetes, diabetic neuropathy
Alzheimers - slows decline 600mg daily 1+ years, MS, healthy aging
Insulin sensitising: improves insulin sensitivity/resistance/fasting blood glucose, HbA1c
Therapeutic use: DM 300-1200mg/day
Metal chelating: chelate Fe, Mercury, Cu, lead, Zn
Therapeutic use: infertility, alzheimers, peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy: Supplementation reduces oxidation of myelin sheath - improves neuropathic sensory symptoms inc pain, burning, prickling, of feet and legs. Dose: 600mg/day
Weight loss:
- reduces oxidative stress that promotes fat storage
- suppress appetite via influence on AMPK enzyme in hypothalamus where appetite regulated
- increases energy expenditure and reduces fat synthesis - 1800mg/day
-
How should ALA supplements be taken
empty stomach to optimise bioavailability
Rare adverse effects - skin allergy/GI symptoms
What are the interactions to be aware of with ALA
Biotin - may compete for transport across cel membrane.
Increased risk of hypoglycaemia in medicated diabetic patients due to additive effect.
GLUCOSAMINE: what is it and where is it most concentrated
an aminosugar - high concentration in joints or cartilage
Name the mycopolysaccharides that glucosamine is required for the synthesis of
Glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
What do mycopolysaccharides do
they are important structural components of tendons, ligaments, cargilage, synovial fuid, mucous membranes, structures in the eye, BV and heart valves.
What are the two forms of gluosamine supplementation and how bioavailable is it
Highly bioavailable.
- Glucosamine sulphate: from marine exoskeletons. Absorbed better. Found in synovial fluid and required for GAG synthesis.
- Glucosamine hydrochloride: synthetically produced from corn
Name the two forms of glucosamine naturally present in the body
There are two forms naturally present in the body:
Glucosamine-6-Phosphate (G6P)
N-Acetyl-Glucosamine (NAG): converted to hyaluronic acid (HLA) as needed, this is an important component of synovial fluid.
What are the therapeutic uses for glucosamine
Osteoarthritis: slows joint degeneration and prevents joint space narrowing by stimulating metabolism of chondrocytes in cartilage, synovial cells and synovial tissue.
Decreases inflammation by inhibiting cytokines eg interleukin 1
Pain reduction comparable to NSAIDs (glucosamine Supphate relieve felt 4-8 weeks) but less effective for sever.long standing osteoarthritis.
Best combined with chondroitin and MSM.
DOSE: 1500mg/day
IBD and intestinal permeability: NAG supports GI epithelial barrier by enhancing mucin functionality which is dramatically altered in those with IBD. (Mucins are proteins that forom barrier and prevent bacterial overgrowth).
NAG reduces biofilm formation
NAG used in intestinal permeability
DOSE: 3-6g/day children. 6g/day adults divided into 3 doses.
