Centrophenoxine - Caveat lector
One of the most venerable of the anti-aging
compounds, centrophenoxine is a combination of
dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), a natural
substance found in the human body, and auxin, a
plant growth hormone. Although new research on
centrophenoxine is limited, many experts feel
that its potential anti-aging benefits may stem
from its proven ability to combat free radicals,
highly reactive molecules that damage cells and
that many experts regard as a central feature of
aging. Centrophenoxine has also been shown in
some studies to boost memory and mental
acuity in humans, and to combat cellular aging
and increase life span in lab animals.
An experiment by Kalidas Nandy, Ph.D., of the
Boston University School of Medicine found that
centrophenoxine reduced buildup of lipofuscin, a
pigment that accumulates in aging cells and can
interfere with their functioning. Other research
indicates that centrophenoxine can shore up cell
membranes and increase cellular manufacture of
RNA and certain proteins, which tend to decline
with age. But the real eye-opener is a study by
Imre Zs.-Nagy, M.D., of the Hungarian-Italian
Verzar Laboratory for Experimental Gerontology,
in which centrophenoxine extended life span in
lab rats by as much as 33 percent.
Among the most promising of the human trials of
centrophenoxine is a 1989 study in which the
drug improved memory and learning in 50 elderly
demented patients by as much as 48 percent.
Although centrophenoxine has not been shown to
be toxic in animal tests, it should not be used by
nursing mothers, or by people with high blood
pressure, convulsions or involuntary
musculoskeletal movements caused by such
conditions as Parkinson's disease.
A strong indication of the potency of
centrophenoxine comes from Europe, where it is
used in hospitals to revive patients in alcoholic or
post-traumatic coma. Some European doctors
routinely prescribe it to treat memory disorders or
dementia. Although not marketed in the US, it is
obtainable by mail order, and is among the most
reliable-and certainly the most praised-of the
"smart drugs" that are taken by people seeking
to boost mental performance.
Excerpted from BRAIN BOOSTERS: Foods &
Drugs That Make You Smarter
Commonly known by its trade name, Lucidril,
centrophenoxine rejuvenates brain cells and
reverses the aging process by getting rid of
lipofuscin deposits, which are cellular garbage
created by the buildup of toxic waste by-products
of cellular metabolism. You might think of
centrophenoxine as the "garbage man of the
brain." Lipofuscin deposits in the skin are the
brown age spots or liver spots commonly seen in
older people. Lipofuscin deposits build up in brain
cells, causing neurons to die, which results in a
decline in mental functioning.
Animal studies indicate an inverse relationship
between lipofuscin deposits and learning. That is,
the greater the lipofuscin in the brain cells, the
less the learning ability; the less lipofuscin, the
greater the learning ability. After taking
centrophenoxine people report greater alertness
and increased feelings of stimulation. Animal
studies show improvements in learning.
The rejuvenating effects in humans is believed to
be produced by regeneration of parts of the
neurons. Centrophenoxine breaks down into
dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) in the blood
stream. DMAE is normally found in small
quantities in the brain. It is a free-radical
scavenger, and has a variety of beneficial
brain-boosting effects, including improving mood,
intelligence, memory, and learning ability.
Centrophenoxine stimulates energy production.
The uptake of glucose or sugar, which is
essential for energy production, is increased by
centrophenoxine. In the process of producing
energy, oxygen is consumed and carbon dioxide
created as a by-product. Both oxygen
consumption and CO2 production are increased
by centrophenoxine. The side effects are similar
to those experienced by people taking too much
of the nutrient choline. These symptoms are
eliminated by reducing the dosage. People on an
anti-cholinergic diet should not use
centrophenoxine. Centrophenoxine is not
currently available in the U.S. It is sold in Europe,
however.
.
Copyright ©1993: Beverly Potter & Sebastian
Orfali. Excerpted from Brain Boosters: Foods &
Drugs That Make You Smarter. Permission given
by Ronin Publishing, Inc., Berkeley, CA to Smart
Basics Inc. to distribute on web site only. This
material may be downloaded by individuals for
personal use only, but it may not be reproduced
and distributed to others without specific written
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