Summary: Liposomal trehalose is prepared and a therapeutic oral dose is estimated.
Background: Research indicates that the disaccharide trehalose initiates autophagy by blocking a glucose transporter. Cells are thus nutrient deprived, so it's something like a CR mimetic. In mice and humans, trehalose has been shown to reduce tau pathology, induce mitophagy, improve osteoarthritic cartilage and artery tissues.
- “Trehalose ameliorates dopaminergic and tau pathology in parkin deleted/tau overexpressing mice through autophagy activation” (2015) https://drive.google...kPqNZqGFIWdZR
- “Trehalose ameliorates oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress via selective autophagy stimulation and autophagic flux restoration in osteoarthritis development” (2017) https://www.nature.c...es/cddis2017453
- “Oral trehalose supplementation improves resistance artery endothelial function in healthy middle‐aged and older adults” (2016) https://www.ncbi.nlm...ing-08-1167.pdf
- Trehalose works by blocking glucose transport and mimicking calorie restriction, thus activating AMPK. “Mystery solved: Trehalose kickstarts autophagy by blocking glucose transport” (2016) https://drive.google...ufL3iPcKgJeh9
Preparation: Trehalose is water soluble and easily prepared in liposomal form. Instructions are attached.
Starting dose: In mice, a 2% oral dose of trehalose induces autophagy. Assuming an average 25 g mouse drinks 4 ml water daily, a 2% solution is 3200 mg/kg. The human equivalent dose is 260 mg/kg, or for a 70 kg individual, this dose is 18.2 gm. For 0.5% bioavailability, only 0.091 gm of 18.2 gm reaches the bloodstream.
Assuming liposomal formulations encapsulate at a 50% rate (my guess), 30% phosphatidylcholine content, and 175 gm trehalose/1000 gm solution, then the target equivalent liposomal dose of trehalose is 3.46 gm.
Then, 1 tsp (5 gm) should be a good starting point for self-experimentation.
Results:
- 1 tsp/day for 10 days had no apparent effect.
- 2 tsp, 1x/day for 7 days lead to fading of lipofuscin accumulation in spots on my hands and face beginning within a couple of days. This fading appeared to slow on days 6 and 7.
- 2 tsp, 2x/day for 3 days resulted in dramatic increase in spot fading but minor muscle aches and fatigue on day 2 and slight fever on day 3. My doctor suggested that the aches were a symptom of rhabdomyolysis. Comprehensive blood panel tests 2 weeks later showed no issues.
Oral dose: At least for me, 2 tsp, 1x/day for 5 or 6 days seems safe and effective. 2 tsp, 2x/day is harmful.
References: Background references for manufacturing liposomal trehalose and research on the effects of trehalose on mice and humans is included in the attachment.
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