Longevity Secrets of the Wax Gourd
Out of the hundreds, if not thousands, of longevity experiments performed by Doug Sketechy, Wax Gourd was the substance that extended lifespan the most.Other substances were Elderberry and Hawthorn Berry which are both abundant in room temperatre stable anthocyanins.References
101'st update on fly longevity experiments
83'rd update on fly longevity experiments
Hawthorn (abudnant in room temperatre stable anthocyanins)
84'th update of my fly longevity experiments
100'th update of my fly longevity experiments
79'th update on fly longevity experiments
Why does Wax Gourd Extend Lifespan? Let's take a look at the data to find the answers.
The proper scientific name for Wax Gourd is Benincasa hispida. When we look at the substances that Wax Groud is highest in, we find it is extremly high in water and Octadecadienoic acid.
Chemical composition and profile characterisation of wax gourd (Benincasa hispida (Thun.) Cogn.) seed oil
Another name for octadecadienoic acid is Linoleic acid. There are numerous experiments in the scientific literature demonstating Linoleic acid's ability to extend lifespan.
Coffee Oil has been found to contain an abundance of octadecadienoic acid.
Reference
Characteristics and Identification of the Metabolite Profile of Arabica Coffee Oil by Using the Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Rita Purwasih et al. Sept 2022.
and extend lifespan in numerous studies.
Reference
Caffeine extends life span, improves healthspan, and delays age-associated pathology in Caenorhabditis elegans.
When we look at what coffee oil is used for, it is used to retain moisture in the skin.Hence, it may be that nature put the abundance of water and octadecadienoic acid in wax gourd to preserve the moisture in the wax gourd and keep it from spoiling. Doug's longevity experiments also mentions that adding coffee to the Wax Gourd had an effect on longevity.
Pumpkin seeds are also very similiar in composition to cofeee beans, containing an abundance of linoleic acid.And pumpkin seed oil contains up to 47% linoleic acid.
Scientific Research has shown that the main substance in Pumpkin Seed oil is octadecadienoic acid.
Reference
Comparison of two kinds of pumpkin seed oils obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction. Yu Wenli, Zhao Yapin et al. June 2004.
Pumpkin seed extract has been shown to exert anti-aging effects by decreasing SA-gal activity (keeping the brain's processing power strong and healthy) and pumpkin seed oil has been recommended as a good candidate for an anti-aging drug.
Reference
Vegetables and Their Bioactive Compounds as Anti-Aging Drugs. Hamza Mechchate et al. April 2022.
From over 15 years of anti-aging research, substances that repel insects, which are usually substances produced by plants in response to stress from inscent attack are some of the most potent anti-aging substances. Zanthoxylum beecheyanum root (Chinese Pepper Tree), which contains Octadecadienoic acid has been shown to have 100% protection against mosquito bites.
Reference
Bioactivity and chemical composition of essential oil from Zanthoxylum beecheyanum var. alatum leaves against Culex pipens quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Linoleic acid is one of the major components in Zanthoxylum species.
Reference
Fatty Acid Profiling and Chemometric Analyses for Zanthoxylum Pericarps from Different Geographic Origin and Genotype
The drought tolerent species Zanthoxyllum aramatum (Thorny Pepper, Sichuan Pepper) has been shown to extend lifespan.
Reference
Anti-ageing and anti-Parkinsonian effects of natural flavonol, tambulin from Zanthoxyllum aramatum promotes longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans
The essential oil of Zanthoxyllum aramatum contains up to 18% Octadecadienoic acid.
Reference
Phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Zanthoxylum armatum DC. An overview
Reference 2
Conversion of the toxic and hazardous Zanthoxylum armatum seed oil into methyl ester using green and recyclable silver oxide nanoparticles
The main components of the oil of Zanthoxylum are oleic acid (the main component in Olive Oil), linoleic acid, limonene, linalool and palmitic acid.
Reference
Comparison between essential oil compositions of Zanthoxylum armatum DC. fruits grown at different altitudes and populations in Nepal
The small yellow flowers produced by Zanthoxyllum aramatum contain black seeds. As long as these seeds are throughly dried out and cooked, they are stronger and more pungent than black pepper.
Reference 2
Zanthoxylum bungeanum Seed Oil, which is the source of the spice Sichuan pepper, reduces inflamation and oxidative stress.
Reference
Zanthoxylum bungeanum Seed Oil Attenuates LPS-Induced BEAS-2B Cell Activation and Inflammation by Inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF- κ B Signaling Pathway
One of the major constuients in Zanthoxylum bungeanum Essential Oil is Octadecadienoic acid as well as limonene (which reduces heat shock protein), pinene and oleic acid.
Reference
Formation and Physical Stability of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Essential Oil Based Nanoemulsions Co-Stabilized with Tea Saponin and Synthetic Surfactant
For those of you familar with my anti-aging books,I have mentioned numerous time that pinene is one substance that extends lifespan. Pinene is the major substance found in the Bristlecone Pine tree which lives for 5,000 years.In general black Pepper, which is commonly found in the supermarket, increases the bioavailability of many herbs, nutrients, vitamins, and even pharmaceuticals.Peppers in plants have been shown to extend lifespan.
Reference
Capsaicinoid-Glucosides of Fresh Hot Pepper Promotes Stress Resistance and Longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Chili pepper extends lifespan
Other sources of Octadecanoic Acid
G. glabra (licorace plant). One of the most prevalent constituents is Octadecenoic Acid and it also contains OctadecAnoic Acid.
Reference
Efficacy of licorice extract on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood indices and antioxidants capacity in broilers
Further Reading
New anti-stress substances isolated from licorice (research study)
Fermented Wheat Bran
Reference
Bioprocessing of Two Crop Residues for Animal Feeding into a High-Yield Lovastatin Feed Supplement.
Fermented Wheat Bran increases folates 1.62-fold, ferulic acid 5.5-fold, and soluble arabinoxylan 1.54-fold (Katina et al., 2012).
Reference
Fermentation of Wheat Bran and Whey Permeate by Mono-Cultures of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Strains and Co-culture With Yeast Enhances Bioactive Properties
and Linoelic Acid is the main substance in Wheat Bran Extract
Wheat Germ (one of the top 12)
Reference
An Insight into Wheat Germ Oil Nutrition, Identification of Its Bioactive Constituents and Computer-Aided Multidimensional Data Analysis of Its Potential Anti-Inflammatory Effect via Molecular Connections
Spermidine improves the physical signs of aging. In addition to its neuroprotective advantages, spermidine was triggers the same responses as caloric restriction or fasting, which is associated with increased lifespan.One of the first spermidine supplements on the global market, Oxford Healthspan’s Primeadine, which combines spermidine with highly concentrated Japanese wheat germ, promises users thicker hair, longer lashes and faster nail growth, as well as improved signs of deep wrinkles. One of the scientists in the study states that spermidine is highly concentrated in Japanese wheat germ.
These claims have been legitimised by Longevity Technology which showed that mice that taking Primeadine shoed enhanced nail growth and thickness by boosting keratin. Spermidine is particularly effective in skin antiaging and promotes the production of collagen, elastin and lipids in older skin cells, which can lead to improvements in skin structure and barrier function.
Reference
Spermidine-induced recovery of human dermal structure and barrier function by skin microbiome.
Spermidine, also enhances the SOX9 gene.
Reference
Enhanced Osteoblastogenesis of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells on Spermine Delivery via β-Catenin Activation
Further Reading
Evaluation of lifespan promoting effects of biofortified wheat in Drosophila melanogaster
Dipteryx lacunifera
The main constituent of Dipteryx Lacunifera is Oleic Acid
Caesalpinia sappan L. (Caesalpiniaceae)
The heartwood of C. sappan is to add color to wine, fabric, food products, meat, beverages and pharmaceuticals.
Caesalpinia sappan contains up to 60% linoleic acid and 15% oleic acids.
The yellow flowers of Caesalpinia gilliesii Hook contain Octadecenoic Acid.
Reference
A New Octadecenoic Acid Derivative from Caesalpinia gilliesii Flowers with Potent Hepatoprotective Activity
Flaxseeds
Roasted Flaxseed Powder
Flaxseed has been shown to increase octadecadienoic acids levels in the bodies of animals.
Reference 1
Fatty acid profile, meat quality and flavour acceptability of beef from
double-muscled Piemontese young bulls fed ground flaxseed
Reference 2
Fatty Acid Composition in Blood Plasma and Follicular Liquid in Cows Supplemented with Linseed or Canola Grains
--- With the wheat diet, milk fat was richer in octadecenoic acid (4.4 vs. 2.7% of the total FA, P<0.05). ---
Reference
Variations of trans octadecenoic acid in milk fat induced by feeding different starch-based diets to cows
Soaking Spirulina with Basil boosts Octadecanoic acid levels
Reference
The Effect of Basil (Ocimumbasilicum i.) Leaf Extract in Immersion Stage Against Profile of Volatile Compound on Spirulina Platensis Powder
Rapeseed Lecithin enhances the bioavailbilty of Linoleic Acid
Milled flaxseed is more absorbed into the body, similar to flax seed oil and is more tolerable when taken over the long term. Also Milled flaxseed does not degrade as quickly as flax seed oil is also unaffected by a person's age.
Reference
The potential for using alpha-linolenic acid as a therapy for cardiovascular disease
Other plants containing Octadecadienoic acid
Hypericum riparium
Life span effects of Hypericum perforatum extracts on Caenorhabditis elegans under heat stress
Vietnamese piper (30% Octadecadienoic acid)
Chemical composition of essential oils from four Vietnamese species of piper (piperaceae)
Solanum erianthum
Antihepatitis B virus constituents of Solanum erianthum
Trollius chinensis (abundant in the anti-aging substances orientin and vitexin).
Further Reading
Antioxidant effects of the orientin and vitexin in Trollius chinensis Bunge in D-galactose-aged mice
Octadecadienoic acid plants continued
Claviceps purpurea
Reference 2
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18467452/
Jatropha gossypifolia and Hevea brasiliensis seed oils
In vitro antioxidant extracts evaluation from the residue of the Hevea brasiliensis seed
Insecticidal activity of Jatropha gossypifolia L.
--- possessed significant anticoagulant and antioxidant activity ---
Reference
In vitro anticoagulant and antioxidant activities of Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) leaves aiming therapeutical applications
Angelica Roots (octadecanoic acid is a major component)
Optimized conditions for the extraction of secondary volatile metabolites in Angelica roots by accelerated solvent extraction
Further Reading
Anti-Photoaging Effects of Angelica acutiloba Root Ethanol Extract in Human Dermal Fibroblasts
So that pretty much solves the mystery of why Wax Gourd extends lifespan.
Written by Mr. Scott Rauvers
