Green coffee bean extract in AGF Factor I

7. June 2012 William Davis (16)
Track Your Plaque's new and proprietary formulation, AGF Factor I, is designed to to support a program to achieve low levels of endogenous glycation.

Endogenous glycation, discussed at length in a recent Track Your Plaque Special Report, makes LDL particles (especially small LDL particles) more prone to oxidation and thereby more atherogenic, i.e., more likely to contribute to atherosclerotic plaque. Endogenous glycation also exerts unhealthy effects on long-lived proteins in the body, such as the proteins in the lenses of your eyes (cataracts), the lining of arteries (hypertension), and the cartilage cells of joints (brittle cartilage and arthritis).

Endogenous glycation is reduced by slashing carbohydrates in the diet, especially the most offensive carbohydrates of all, the amylopectin A of wheat, sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup and other fructose sources. Endogenous glycation can also be blocked by using blockers of the glycation reaction, such as benfotiamine (lipid-soluble thiamine), pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (a form of vitamin B6 with greater glycation blocking effect), and chlorogenic acid from green coffee beans, all components of AGF Factor I, which also contains Portulaca oleracea (Portusana), or purslane, for reduction of glucose.

Green coffee bean extract, and thereby chlorogenic acid, is receiving increased attention, most recently due to a study demonstrating substantial weight loss with 750-1050 mg green coffee bean extract, providing approximately 325-500 mg chlorogenic acid per day. Participants lost 15.4 pounds over 8 weeks at the higher dose (500 mg chlorogenic acid per day), while participants lost 8.8 pounds over 8 weeks at the lower dose (325 mg chlorogenic acid per day).

AGF Factor I was not formulated for weight loss but, taken twice or three times per day, does indeed mimic the dose of chlorogenic acid from green coffee bean extract used in the weight loss study. If you wish to take advantage of this application of chlorogenic acid/green coffee bean extract, while also maximizing protection from endogenous glycation, our AGF Factor I is one excellent choice to do so.
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Comments (16) -

  • Susan

    6/8/2012 1:11:38 PM |

    Thank you, Dr. Davis,
    Do you know what the mechanism is that would explain the weight loss? Is there caffeine in the green coffee extract? If yes, would it be sufficient to explain weight loss?
    Susan

  • Dr. Davis

    6/9/2012 12:52:08 PM |

    There is no caffeine, Susan.

    The mechanism is unknown, though at least part of the effect may be due to a reduction in formation of endogenous products of glycation.

  • Gene K

    6/9/2012 10:43:45 PM |

    Dr Davis,
    To those with APOE-4 who still rely on statins (Crestor) to control their smLDL, would you advise to try the green coffee bean extract instead?

  • Susan

    6/11/2012 12:40:14 PM |

    I just bought some green coffee extract from GNC. For 200 mg chlorogenic acid, the label said there was "no more than 16 mg. caffeine," (whatever that means)! I am going to try it and will report back if I get skinny or not. Smile

  • johnny

    6/12/2012 2:26:27 PM |

    Hi Dr.Davis,
    Does the green coffee bean extract need to be taken with meals?
    Thanks!

  • jaxrph

    6/14/2012 1:53:55 PM |

    With the B vitamins Is this safe to take post-intracoronary stent?

  • Dr. Davis

    6/15/2012 5:09:10 PM |

    I have no reason to believe that the components in this preparation pose any risk, Jax.

    I'm not convinced that the folates (NOT in this preparation) are truly a risk, either.

  • Dr. Davis

    6/15/2012 5:09:29 PM |

    No, but it might blunt any minimal nausea that arises.

  • Dr. Davis

    6/15/2012 5:10:52 PM |

    Hi, Gene--

    No, I don' think so.

    You could make a case for either chlorogenic acid/green coffee bean extract or the AGF Factor I to block glycation of small LDL particles, however.

  • Gene K

    6/17/2012 2:17:50 AM |

    Dr Davis,

    I think I didn't word my question clearly.

    I wonder whether it is worthwhile for APOE-4 patients to consider the AGF Factor I supplement as a replacement for statins to control smLDL while staying on a strict low-carb diet.

    Thank you.

  • Gene K

    6/19/2012 2:45:33 PM |

    Dr Davis, I take my question back. I reread your answer and now I understand that oxidation and glycation are two separate processes, and the supplement in question may help block glycation from AGEs. Oxidation of LDL particles, on the other hand, can be controlled with a low-carb diet. Is my interpretation correct?

    Thank you.

  • Dr. Davis

    6/20/2012 6:48:36 PM |

    I believe it is, Gene.

    Oxidation is a complex multi-faceted phenomenon. If we are looking for methods to inhibit or minimize oxidation that involve natural methods, not ingesting oxidized foods is a big factor. Not having particles prone to glycation, and thereby oxidation, is another.

  • Ms Martin

    7/23/2012 5:58:44 PM |

    i was just prescribed simvastatin, I believe 20mg per dose...is it safe to take green tea extract with this medicine?

  • RPF

    7/24/2012 5:46:50 PM |

    Is green coffee extract a blood thinner?

  • Green Coffee Bean Extract to Lose Weight | My Weight Loss Journey

    9/4/2012 3:35:31 PM |

    [...] quit taking it.  Check out this link for more information or to purchase Green Coffee Bean Extract.Green coffee bean extract seems to be a supplement that can make weight loss a lot easier.  Accordi... is coffee in its rawest, purest form, before roasting takes place. The unroasted beans of coffea [...]

  • Kay Belvin

    10/20/2012 12:37:28 AM |

    Is it safe to take green coffee extract with Simvastatin 40 Mg. and also is the extract a blood thinner as I take Warfarin?

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Another case of aortic valve disease reduced with vitamin D

Another case of aortic valve disease reduced with vitamin D

12. December 2008 William Davis (8)
I watched Seth's aortic valve deteriorate over a two year period.

I was first consulted in 2004 to offer an opinion on Seth's heart scan score of 779 and flagrantly abnormal cholesterol patterns, including triglycerides in the 400 mg/dl range. But I heard a murmur, as well, a murmur of a leaky aortic valve, "aortic valve insufficiency."

Over the next two years, I watched Seth's aortic valve worsen, going from mild leakiness to severe.

In 2006-2007, I tiptoed into vitamin D replacement and asked Seth to add some vitamin D. Time passed and Seth's aortic valve got progressively worse.

Over the past year, However, he's maintained a truly healthy level of vitamin D, with blood levels consistently in the 60-70 ng/ml range.

While Seth's last echocardiogram showed a severely leaky aortic valve, the most recent echo showed mild leakiness ("mild aortic insufficiency")--a dramatic reduction.

I continue to see this in many, though not all, patients with aortic valve disease. Though I've more frequently witnessed either stalled progression or reversal of aortic valve stenosis (stiffness), I've now seen a handful of people with aortic valve leakiness (insufficiency) also reverse.

I've posted about this peculiar phenomenon previously:

Aortic valve disease and vitamin D
More on aortic valve disease and vitamin D

Prior to vitamin D, I had NEVER witnessed any aortic valve disease stop or reverse.

A formal trial at some point would be invaluable.
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Comments (8) -

  • Jenny

    12/12/2008 2:46:00 PM |

    Dr. Davis,

    I have a question to you. I am seeing a lot of research lately linking low Vitamin D blood levels in obese people to a multitude of conditions.

    However, someone whose research chops I respect told me that it is possible that factors associated with the obesity is suppressing the vitamin D level rather than the obesity resulting from it.  

    I understand how raising Vitamin D might be very effective in cardiovascular conditions where calcium metabolism is awry, extending the issue further, but I wonder if you have any thoughts on whether raising Vitamin D would have any impact on obesity and its associated maladies without other steps being taken like lowering carbohydrates and blood sugar.

    One study I found suggests, for example, it may be that something about having diabetes lowers Vitamin D levels, rather than that Vitamin D improves insulin sensitivity.

    A study in which people who were deficient in Vitamin D were given glucose tolerance tests and then given a massive dose of Vitamin D which raised their levels to normal after which they were given follow up glucose tolerance tests found no change in blood sugar or insulin sensitivity after Vitamin D was normalized.

    Glucose tolerance and vitamin D: Effects of treating vitamin D deficiency Kamilia Tai. Nutrition. Volume 24, Issue 10, Pages 950-956 (October 2008).

  • Bevy

    12/12/2008 10:28:00 PM |

    I take Vitamin D for SAD! ;) It's really helped. I take 1k iu 3X a day. Smile Along with alot of other supplements.

  • Anne

    12/13/2008 5:30:00 PM |

    That is awesome - hope Seth continues to heal. This info needs to get out to other physicians.

    I am seeing more and more patients who have been tested for vitamin D deficiency. That is good. But many of them are being told to stop the vitamin D once the level comes up to "normal" or stop after a month without further blood testing. One person had started and stopped vitamin D 3 times - she said her doctor told her he did not know why it kept dropping. It is sad that most physicians know so little about vitamins, supplements and nutrition.

  • Dr. William Davis

    12/14/2008 2:33:00 PM |

    Hi, Jenny--

    Perhaps it's both.

    I can tell you that, from my perspective in the "trenches," reduction of blood sugar and presumed sensitization to insulin is very real, obese or no.

    It is also true that the more fat present, the greater the need. This has been thought to be due to sequestration in fat tissue, but that is pure speculation.

    Also, I have never seen vitamin D go up more than minimally with weight loss. I believe there is a rise, but that says nothing about the path of causality.

  • Anonymous

    12/14/2008 5:59:00 PM |

    dr Davis,

    I understand calcification of the valves plays a role.

    Decalcification of bone is a result of high levels of 1,25D (calcitriol), which may play a major role in the calcification of these valves.

    Did you measure the levels of 1,25D in these patients and how high were those levels ?

    Sincerely, Frans

  • Anonymous

    12/15/2008 10:27:00 PM |

    My Georgia teacher's Blue-Cross charged me $225 for a LabCorp Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy test.

    Life Extension's test for $62.67 may be a bargin:
    http://www.lef.org/Vitamins-Supplements/ItemLC081950/Vitamin-D-25-Hydroxy-Blood-Test.html

    Matt

  • Bill Ball

    11/2/2009 4:49:16 AM |

    You say a formal trial at some point would be invaluable.  Why not do it?  I consider it rather unethical for a physcian to post anecdotal case reports like this on the Web.  Why not at least submit a letter or case report collection to a peer-reviewed medical journal where it could get proper scrutiny?  Posting it in a blog puts this in the hands of lay people who could inappropriately apply this to their own situation and perhaps do more harm than good.

  • buy jeans

    11/3/2010 8:33:38 PM |

    While Seth's last echocardiogram showed a severely leaky aortic valve, the most recent echo showed mild leakiness ("mild aortic insufficiency")--a dramatic reduction.

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