Fowler Fitness
patreon
Plasmalogen replacement therapy: the best kept secret for health and longevity?
🕑 Added 2024-05-16 00:08:15 +0000 UTCPlasmalogens are a distinct subclass of glycerophospholipids. Plasmalogens are ubiquitously distributed in all of our cells but are predominantly found (in high concentrations) in the membranes of our brain cells (neurons and glial cells) , heart (cardiomyocyes) and immune cells. These lipids are essential for maintaining membrane integrity, fluidity, and functionality. They also play crucial roles in cellular signaling and antioxidative defense mechanisms. I like to think of plasmalogens almost as cellular ‘armor’
As mentioned, plasmalogens contribute to the biophysical properties of cellular membranes by primarily enhancing membrane fluidity and elasticity. They do this by packing and organization of lipid bilayers, facilitating optimal membrane protein function and signal transduction. In layman’s terms, plasmalogens are a massive component of your cell membrane that help to optimally facilitate all the wonderful things your cells to for you. They’re a big fuckin deal
The vinyl-ether bond in plasmalogens is highly susceptible to oxidative attack, making these lipids effective scavengers of reactive oxygen species. They work very similarly to molecular hydrogen. By acting as a ‘sacrificial antioxidants’, plasmalogens protect other membrane lipids and cellular components from oxidative damage. This antioxidative capacity is particularly significant in tissues with high metabolic rates, such as the brain and heart. This is why the heart pumps out a large majority of its plasmalogen content when the heart is inflamed (I.e myocarditis). Replacing lost plasmalogens has large implications for treating some of the severe complications of COVID-19 infection. Individuals with higher plasmalogens levels are also significantly protected from the severe complications of viral illness.
Benefits for cancer prevention
Plasmalogens have also been shown to influence cell proliferation by modulating lipid raft composition and function. Lipid rafts are basically microdomains within the cell membrane that organize signaling molecules, and their alteration can affect pathways involved in cell growth and apoptosis. By stabilizing these rafts, plasmalogens may inhibit oncogenic signaling pathways and reducing cancer cell proliferation. Plasmalogens can sensitize cancer cells to apoptosis through the modulation of mitochondrial membrane permeability and the activation of apoptotic signaling cascades. That pro-apoptotic effect is very important for eliminating malignant cells. Plasmalogens should not be used for active metastatic cancers though.
Benefits for neurodegenerative conditions and psychiatric disorders
Plasmalogens are highly enriched in the myelin sheath and neuronal membranes as mentioned. These are your cells with the highest concentration of plasmalogens. Here they play a critical role in maintaining neuronal function and integrity. Because they modulate membrane fluidity and the function of synaptic vesicles, plasmalogens enhance neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity, which are important for cognitive function and memory. Reduced levels of plasmalogens are associated with impaired synaptic function and cognitive decline.
A lot of the research that we’re seeing from Dr Dayan Goodenowe on plasmalogen replacement therapy is extremely promising, particularly in the complex treatment of traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s, ALS and dementia. Because plasnalogens are so important and ubiquitously distributed through out the body, there’s not really any aspect of biology or health that they don’t directly touch or impact. they’re now being classified as almost comparable to an essential vitamin.
I really think Plasmalogens are something everyone shoul consider taking, but unfortunately they’re not very budget friendly. Therefore, i tend to regulate them to the ‘emergency medicine’ or ‘SWAT team’ of supplements. Meaning you use them for severe illness or disease states such as
1. Severe COVID-19 infections. Plasmalogens are being used with great success to pull patients off ventilators. They drop CRP (inflammation) levels quickly, and attenuate many of the brain and cardiovascular complications of the disease
2. Myocarditis
3. Vaccine induced injuries
4. Long COVID
5. Lung injuries
6. Severe heart arrythmias or heart attack
7. Heart failure
8. Traumatic brain injuries
9. Parkinson’s, ALS, dementia, Autisim and all neurological disorders of various genesis and etiology
10. Thrombroric or clotting events
11. PREVENTING concussions (everyone who plays a contact sport should probably be supplementing with plasmalogens prophylactically along with BPC as well
12. Post concussion — if you’ve had concussions in the past, doing ProdromeGlial in party for a few months could be helpful. Neuro-inflammation from head injuries often doesn’t resolve and can linger for years.
13. Anxiety, treatment resistant depression and other psychiatric disorders
14. Exposure to high levels of radiation
15. Exposure to chemicals or other biohazards
If you can afford to take Plasmalogens or want to experiment with them (they’re also great for athletic performance and recovery) , I’ve included a few links to a product bellow, with a brief explanation on the two different types of plasmalogens. Note that this is the only company that sells authentic plasmalogen precursors. You will not be able to find them any cheaper than this unfortunately
DHEA vs omega-9 plasmalogens
Omega 3 Plasmalogens: These plasmalogens contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHEA. DHA plasmalogens are mostly associated with cognitive function and neuromuscular health. Supplementation DHEA plasmalogen precursors are more
neuroprotective and tend to act predominantly more on motor neurons over glial cells. For this reason, DHEA plasmalogen precursors tend to be better for diseases and issues that effect the neuron like dementia. DHEA plasmalogens are also more stimulatory. They tend to increase focus and energy, and would be best for someone looking to increase neuromuscular strength and power output.
Omega-9 Plasmalogens: These contain omega-9 fatty acids, like oleic acid found in olive oil. They’re also found predominantly in glial cells and the mylein sheath , and tend to be better for demyelinating conditions like ALS, autism and MS. Omega-9 plasmalogens tend to be more relaxing. They’re also an ideal fit for those dealing with psychiatric disorders. These also tend to be the plasmalogens you also want to use for most non-brain related conditions since they’re also found in the heart.
There’s a lot of crossover between omega-3 and omega-9 plasmalogens, but I tend to recommend omega-9 (ProdromeGlial) more frequently, especially for individuals looking to take plasmalogens for general wellness
Ideal dosing for plasmalogens
General wellness — 1 serving of each DHEA and omega-9 plasmalogens daily. Or just omega-9 if you want to pick one. After a month, drop down to one serving every other day for maintiance and cutting costs.
Serious illness or disease — 3-4 servings daily of both for a month. Traumatic brain injuries in particular need to be dosed up high. 3-5 servings of prodroleGlial (omega-9) in particular is really good for TBI’s and concussions.
I prefer the capsules as they’re easier to take than the oil
Sponsoredprodrome.comhttps://www.prodrome.comElevate Wellness with GLIA PC+
For those that are interested in plasmalogen replacement therapy or for a loved one with a neurological disability like ALS, I’d recommend watching the video bellow and getting in touch with Dayan Goodenow and or one of his treatment centers.
https://youtu.be/ZEsnrKjB8qU?si=hE2Yq2eLBRsOquO_
References And studies
Chronic inflammation, neuroglial dysfunction, and plasmalogen deficiency as a new pathobiological hypothesis addressing the overlap between post-COVID-19 symptoms and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37423295/
Plasmalogens: A potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative and cardiometabolic disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30974122/
Plasmalogens, platelet-activating factor and beyond - Ether lipids in signaling and neurodegeneration
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32861763/
Plasmalogens and Alzheimer's disease: a review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30992016/
Plasmalogens Eliminate Aging-Associated Synaptic Defects and Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation in Mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35281262/
Interplay between cardiolipin and plasmalogens in Barth syndrome
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34655242/
Plasmalogens and Alzheimer’s disease: a review
https://lipidworld.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12944-019-1044-1
Plasmalogen Deficiency and Overactive Fatty Acid Elongation Biomarkers in Serum of Breast Cancer Patients Pre- and Post-Surgery—New Insights on Diagnosis, Risk Assessment, and Disease Mechanisms
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8391794/
Comments
John Campen
Haven’t read it in years but it makes me think a lot about Bruce Lipton’s book The Biology of Belief and how important the cell membrane is for regulating what goes in and out. Thanks for all of the work you put into your content, it has helped me out a lot.
