I knew that nicotinamide riboside was headed for a human clinical trial in Cockayne Syndrome, but I never found any underlying animal model research that explained why researchers were interested in this line of study . . . until today. Just found it. What's interesting is that it links to a plethora of other research showing the neuroprotective benefits of both NAD+ replenishment and the benefits of a ketogenic diet, AND that leads to research showing that the benefits of a ketogenic diet can be mimiced by pharmacological activation of SIRT1 AND that is what Niagen and Pterostilbene have been shown to do in animal models and now in humans as well. Anyways, just thought I'd share For the record the other B vitamins have NOT been shown to activate SIRT1 infact NAM (nicotinamide) is a SIRT1 inhibitor.
Yes, but later yesterday I found a study from 2016 that contradicted the results of numerous other studies on the ketogenic diet. The hallmark of a ketogenic diet is the presence of ketones in the blood. When the body lacks glucose from carbs in the blood it turns to it's fat supply and uses ketones to breakdown fat molecules into usable energy. The theory is that this would normally happen if one was not eating and had to use the body's fat storage to survive, and research has shown that calorie restriction is a powerful neuroprotector so theoretically the presence of ketones might be a trigger for neuroprotection, but like I said this study seems to throw some cold water on that theory:
Long before studies on ketogenic diets became popular scientists knew that calorie restricted diets had neuroprotective benefits, BUT again there was a study of calorie restriction that had negative results. A study of patients with ALS was stopped mid-study because researchers found that for folks with ALS the harm caused by muscle loss was greater than the benefit of neuroprotection.
Bottom line: Diet and disease is very complex.
What I believe is eating healthy foods and maintaining a healthy weight are moderate undertakings that can only be beneficial hence I minimize my carbs, calories, and meats, and maximize my cruciferous vegetables. I avoid dairy, fried foods, sugar, (even in fruit) and try to eat as much fresh produce as I can stomach.
Finally, the point of the research and my post: supplements that are NAD+ precursors and/or SIRT1 activators, so far in animal research, have been shown to afford the same neuroprotective benefits of calorie restriction without the trouble of having to follow a diet that might be harmful.
As, always for any new readers of my posts, NEVER start taking ANY supplement based on some quack's internet comments. Do your own research and talk to your doctor before trying anything.
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