AMINOGUANIDINE

Aminoguanidine (pronounced a-mean-o-gwan-i-din) is a compound with a multitude of biological actions with antioxidant properties and an inhibitor of nitric oxide. Nitric Oxide has been implicated in different biological processes associated with cell death. Aminoguanidine is also capable of preventing advanced protein glycosylation, by blocking and preventing cross-linking, which is the chemical reaction of blood sugar (glucose) with body proteins.

Aminoguanidine is not only capable of rapidly interacting with potentially harmful endogenous aldehydes along with scavenging them, it additionally blocks advanced glycation along with the inhibition of nitric oxide synthase activity. Such reactions contribute to its effects in the treatment of vascular disorders associated with diabetic complications and other disorders as well as the general and overall aging of the human body.

Scientists have found that the primary cause of cross linking is protein glycosylation and it is believed that the cross-linking of the proteins play a role in the human aging process. Cross-linking is the process that causes food to turn yellow and become tough with age – when glucose and proteins are over exposed to oxygen – this is demonstrated when you cut an apple in half and leave it to one side – it’s not long before it turns brown. In humans, cross-linking may be responsible for many of the problems of old age and one of the major causes of brain and muscle degeneration in the elderly. Other conditions include senile cataracts, thickening of the arteries, some cancers and damage to the immune system.

The most understood and interesting effect of Aminoguanidine is as stated above, its potential to slow the aging process by protecting the body’s proteins. These include the skin proteins collagen and elastin, eye lens protein, nerve protein and kidney proteins. All these vital proteins deteriorate with advancing age, especially in diabetics who have up to 3 times the number of cross-linked proteins than non-diabetics. Diabetes is often seen as a form of accelerated aging and research into diabetes has provided support for the idea that cross-linking causes aging. Therefore Aminoguanidine may be able to protect us from age-related skin and eye conditions along with its action to prevent age-related heart enlargement, reduce LDL cholesterol and improve blood flow in clogged blood vessels plus any associated diabetic complications.

It is best to be under the supervision of your medical professional but the usual dosage is 75mg two, three of four times a day. Aminoguanidine has a half-life of approximately 4-hours, therefore it is preferable to spread the dosage over the day. It is more common for diabetics or those who are borderline diabetic to take higher dosages. As Aminoguanidine can inhibit the uptake of vitamin B6 this product contains 10mg of B6 in each tablet.

This Aminoguanidine is the hydrochloride (HCL) based tablet which is more soluble, less irritating and is the type used in the clinical trials.

Aminoguanidine may be synergistic with Acarbose and Metformin – check with your physician or pharmacist before use.