Introduction: Why do body and brain performance, bone density, muscle mass and hormone status decrease with increasing age?

One explanation is: because the in-house production of Geranylgeraniol( short GG, pronounced "Chi-Chi") decreases.  However, GG is a building block for Coenzyme Q10, muscle proteins and many receptors for synapses and the senses.

We explain geranylgeraniol using the following picture.

Seen from above: Mevalonate is first produced, then IPP, FPP (Farnesyl pyrophosphate) and GG (Geranylgeraniol). A lot of things come from this, such as cholesterol, coenzyme Q10, muscles, vitamin K2 and receptors for the senses, brain cells and immune system.

As we age, more FPP begins to flow towards cholesterol, meaning less is available for the many other functions.
People try to lower cholesterol through medication (statins). However, they work immediately at the top, so all subsequent products are also inhibited.

Among them are:

CoQ10(CoenzymeQ10) as well as Heme A use the mitochondria to generate the energyallprovide our life processes. They are built within the mitochondria. Namely from FPP, IPP and in exceptional cases also from GG. This helps MK4 (a type of vitamin K2) and the "clan ATPases" which are also built from GG (hence the further arrows to the mitochondrion).

So less GG also means less energy for all organs. This explains the declining performance of the heart, brain, bones and muscles as we age.

Our muscle Cells consist of a lot of protein and need (in addition to protein) - GG. Less GG (due to aging) means less muscle mass, which reduces age-related muscle loss (Sarcopenia) explained. This muscle loss begins slowly at the age of 30 and becomes noticeable from the age of 50. More to GG and muscles here.

Our bones need vitamin K2 to store calcium. Our body produces vitamin K2 (MK4) from vitamin K1 - by incorporating GG. Less GG (due to aging) means less bone density. This explains the increasing bone loss with age. By the way, vitamin K2 is also an important factor against atherosclerosis (“hardening of the arteries”).

Our sex hormones (e.g. testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone) also need to function. Less GG (due to aging) contributes to the lower supply of sex hormones, which is responsible for many aging phenomena.

Less researched but important are the GPCR receptors. Receptors are the sensors of the cells. They regulate thousands of functions in the cells. Among them are the GPCR receptors, they are called “G-protein”. Gγ(as well as the “small GTPases”). These proteins are prenylated, i.e. provided with geranylgeraniol, whereby they are anchored to a membrane. Without this anchoring they swim in the cytosol, which would only result in death. GPCR receptors are:

• Receptors in brain for neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, GABA)

• Hormone receptors (LH, FSH, glucagon, parathyroid hormone),

• Sensory receptors (smell, taste, sight),

• inflammatory receptors (histamine, prostaglandin, leukotriene, bradykinin, angiotensin-II).

All these functions are from Gγ and therefore dependent on GG (other FPP).

Influence of aging, statins, bisphosphonates

Not only the age, but also some medications inhibit the self-production of GG. Namely statins and bisphosphonates.

Statins(Cholesterol-lowering drugs) block the pathway in the early stages, resulting in less cholesterol (40-60%). This also blocks GG and its derivatives CoQ10, heme A, muscle protein, MK4, hormones and many other proteins. This explains, for example, the frequent muscle problems and other side effects caused by statins. It has now become established that CoQ10 is administered to statins. However, this only replaces follow-up products. It would be better to directly supply GG to strengthen the many other follow-up products.

Bisphosphonatesare also very often prescribed to prevent bone loss (osteoporosis), especially in women in the menopause. They also block the path to GG (only in one place). Ironically, this also blocks vitamin K2 and osteoplasts, which are actually necessary for bone formation.

But you can also take GG directly with you. The daily requirement is estimated at 150 mg to 300 mg.

It is contained in some foods, but only in small quantities (up to 1 mg per 100 g). These are:Green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, arugula): 0.1-1 mg, Avocado: 0.1-0.5 mg, Almonds and anthee nuts: 0.1-0.5 mg, Olive oil: 0.1-0.5 mg, Sesame seeds: 0.1-0.5 mg, Broccoli: 0.1-0.3 mg, Carrots: 0.1-0.3 mg, Pumpkin: 0.1-0.3 mg, sunflower seeds: 0.1-0.5 mg, tomatoes: 0.05-0.2 mg, oranges and citrus fruits: 0.05-0.2 mg, soybeans and soy products (tofu): 0.1-0.5 mg. Since no one can eat 10 kg of spinach per day, it can only cover a small portion of the needs.

The good news is: In Bixa orellana(Annatto) is contained around 1000 times more. Extractions from this plant have recently become available. This can be achieved with just a few drops of 150 - 300 mg.

We assume that this will play an increasingly important role in the next few years. Also because the blocking medications are very frequently prescribed.

Contraindications?

Are there any contraindications for geranylgeraniol?

First of all, GG is sure the was in this study noted. In the USA, the extract GG-Gold 75 from B.orellana has the status "Generally Recognized as Safe" (see here up to 250mg/d). GG is found in every multicellular living being and fulfills important functions.

GG can avert the toxicity of statins. This affects several pathways, namely the genesis of CoQ10 and the inhibition of growth factors such as Ras, Rho. The latter is responsible for the cell death of dead cells as in theRhabdomyolysisresponsible.

Because of this toxicity, statins are also used to kill (apoptosis and/or necrosis) of cancer cells. GG can avert this toxicity.

If statins are given as cancer therapy, GG must not be taken.

This even goes so far that even foods that contain a lot of GG can weaken the toxic effect. In cell cultures it has been found that the following foods have a lot of effect: sunflower oil or corn oil [also olive oil], nuts, eggs, oats, beans, lettuce and cherries. ("In particular, we suggest patients using statins to control cancer should consithe avoiding sunflower oil or corn oil, nuts, eggs, oats, beans, lettuce and cherries"). In particular, green lettuce ("lettuce") stood out due to its high content, making it much easier to eat 100 g of lettuce than 100 g of cooking oil.

However, cancer therapies with statins are relatively rare and experimental - mostly only in studies.

GG also has an anticancer effect itself (detected in cell membranes in high concentrations from 50 μmol/L). There are studies with prostate cancer cells ( https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4010193/ ) and pancreas cancer cells ( https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9075204/ ).

This anticancer effect is apparently based on the fact that GG (and FPP) also feed back into the mevalonate pathway, which deprives cancer cells of their growth factors.

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