The Kaufmann Protocol Rating System for Anti-Aging
A Practical Guide to Anti-Aging: How the Kaufmann Protocol Rating System Evaluates Cellular Health Treatments
SANDRA KAUFMANN
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If you skimmed through the previous article, you are readily aware that I look at cellular aging through the lens of the seven tenets, which classify the reasons that cells age. This list is similar, but definitely not the same as the hallmarks of aging. The hallmarks are simply that…hallmarks, which is a great list, but it has little or no practicality.
On the other hand, we can utilize the seven tenets to rate potential cures or treatments for cellular aging, which makes keeping track of a longevity protocol much simpler.
As a quick review, the seven tenets are as flows:
Tenet I: DNA alterations
Tenet II: Mitochondrial concerns
Tenet III: Pathways
Tenet IV: Quality control
Tenet V: Immune and Inflammatory issues
Tenet VI: Individual cellular requirements
Tenet VII: Waste management
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The Kaufmann Rating system follows these tenets and rates each individual agent in each of the tenets, on a scale of 0 to 3, creating a seven-digit number.
Essentially, if the molecule does nothing in a particular category, it gets a 0. If there is evidence that the desired activity exists in a test tube or culture only, the rating is a 1. If there is non-human mammal evidence, it gets a 2, and real, reproducible human evidence scores a 3.
The limitations of this system are obvious. For one, we only know the answers to questions that we have asked. Thus, if no one has tested a particular agent in people, it will never get a 3. It doesn’t mean the agent isn’t effective, we just haven’t looked. Therefore, sometimes these ratings change as new research is done, and we learn more and more.
I also look very closely at potential side effects. If there is any chance that true harm is a risk, I do not rate it. In no way do I want people to think that I am an advocate of anything that can be dangerous.
Lastly, I look to see if the agent is readily available. I have spent far too much time investigating the next best molecule only to later realize that it wasn’t available.
The Kaufmann Protocol
Sandra Kaufmann
I think it’s time for an example.
One of my new favorites is Dihydromyricetin (DHM), or (3′, 4′, 5, 5′, 7-Hexahydroxy-2, 3-dihydroflavanonol). DHM was first discovered in 1940 in Nekemias meliaefolia, but is most famously derived from Ampelopsis grossedentata, from which Chinese Vine tea is brewed.
More importantly, this is how the rating system works:
Tenet I: There is no evidence that dihydromyricetin does anything directly for DNA in terms of epigenetic modification, telomere health or heterochromatin stabilization. Thus, in this category, it scores a 0.
Tenet II: Dihydromyricetin does very well in the mitochondrial category. There is a plethora of evidence in cultures and rodents, but nothing yet in humans.
As a few examples:
DMH is a strong antioxidant agent both in vitro and in vivo.
It increases Nrf -2 activity indirectly by inducing p62 expression, which binds to Keap1, and thus frees up the endogenous activator of free radical scavengers, Nrf -2.
It increases peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) in rodent skeletal muscle in vitro and in vivo.
Lastly, in male mice, DHM significantly increases TFAM expression, hepatic ATP concentrations, and induces mitochondrial expression of respiratory complex III and V.
Therefore, in this category, DMH scores a 2.
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Tenet III: In this category, DMH is a known activator of AMP Kinase in rodents. But more importantly, it is a very potent activator of Sirtuin 3, the key mitochondrial sirtuin. Unfortunately, no one has examined this in people, thus it scores a 2.
As a side note, Dihydromyricetin is sold as an over-the-counter treatment for hangovers- probably because it up-regulates liver mitochondria via Sirtuin 3 and helps to metabolize alcohol faster. So in fact, we probably do have human evidence!
Tenet IV: There is evidence here, but only in cell models where DMH activates autophagy. Therefore, it gets a 1.
Tenet V: The good new is in this category is that it significantly down-regulates the expression of NF-kB target genes to inhibit inflammatory effect. In various rodent models, it reduced serum interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor-κB, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 protein expression.
But more importantly, in a double-blind clinical trial, sixty adult nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients given dihydromyricetin demonstrated a significant decline in serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Thus, a 3!
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Sandra Kaufmann
Tenet VI: This category addresses individual cell needs, and for dihydromyricetin, the cell type of note is osteoclasts. These cells become overactive with age, and precipitate osteoporosis by reabsorbing bone. In cell culture, DHM inhibited osteoclast differentiation and activation, and attenuated bone resorption function.
Only culture evidence however…scores a 1.
Tenet VII: There is sufficient evidence in rodents that dihydromyricetin improves insulin resistance and decreases blood glucose levels, however the evidence is scant in humans. …2.
Therefore, after examining the evidence, Dihydromyricetin’s overall score:
0.2.2.1.3.1.2
What does this mean? Several things.
We need more human research which will most likely result in higher scores
It is one of the few Sirtuin 3 activators, so it’s really important
It's a great addition to most longevity protocols!
The last thing to know about the rating system is that there are presently fifty-five over-the-counter agents rated and published on my website, and the list is constantly growing. Therefore, determining which agent to take and knowing what they do is no longer a guessing game.
