Mitochondria are our cell’s power plants. They descended from bacteria about two billion years ago, and get flaky as we age. A commonly accepted theory about aging is that the decaying of mitochondria is the driving force of aging. There is no evidence as to why the mitochondria decay. But, there have been connections to the decay of mitochondria and heart failure, neurodegeneration, and lack of energy. Recent experiments and research show that it isn’t completely out of reach to slow or even reverse mitochondrial decay. These anti-decay supplements would consist of ingredients that would “increase the cellular levels of a molecule called NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide).” (AmericanScientific.com) There have been promising tests on
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Before this paper was published, he gained his fame through an experiment in which he used NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) to successfully restore mitochondria in lab mice. Although the mitochondria were restored, no muscles showed signs of an increase of strength. The researchers reached the conclusion that it was because the mice were only given the supplement for a week. NMN is not available for consumer sales, but Sinclair’s paper stirred excitement about NR, which was already being sold under the name Niagen by a company called ChromaDex. In February, a startup called Elysium Health was cofounded by Sinclair’s former mentor, MIT biologist Lenny Guarente. Elysium entered the NAD craze by inventing another supplement with NR. The supplement, Basis, is only offered online. Elysium did not take any chances with scientific credibility. It has many big name advising scientists including five Nobel laureates. A few days after the release of Basis, ChromaDex announced that it had begun clinical human trials to observe the effects of NAD. The result has not been released yet, but will be released once the peer review process has been …show more content…
This seems to protect mice from the ill effects of high-fat diets. Many other health benefits have been linked to SIRT1 activation in many studies, including several human trials.“NAD can also activate another sitruin, SIRT3, which is thought to keep mitochondria smoothly.” ( American Scientific)
Sinclair’s researchers also discovered that when NAD levels decrease, like they do in aging, SIRT1 activity also diminishes, which then leads to mitochondrial dysfunction. NAD boosters may work with other supplements like resveratrol to help decaying mitochondria. Another supplement was discovered by researchers in Oxford, Mississippi called pterostilbene. This discovery was important because it is much more potent than resveratrol. Also, studies showed that four times the amount of pterostilbene made it into the bloodstream than resveratrol. Finally, studies have indicated that pterostilbene can ward off various kinds of cancer and heart diseases. I believe that because the studies have not yet been performed on humans, it is not completely safe to use. But once it is perfected, it will be the “fountain of youth.” I was also surprised about how big of
Before this paper was published, he gained his fame through an experiment in which he used NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) to successfully restore mitochondria in lab mice. Although the mitochondria were restored, no muscles showed signs of an increase of strength. The researchers reached the conclusion that it was because the mice were only given the supplement for a week. NMN is not available for consumer sales, but Sinclair’s paper stirred excitement about NR, which was already being sold under the name Niagen by a company called ChromaDex. In February, a startup called Elysium Health was cofounded by Sinclair’s former mentor, MIT biologist Lenny Guarente. Elysium entered the NAD craze by inventing another supplement with NR. The supplement, Basis, is only offered online. Elysium did not take any chances with scientific credibility. It has many big name advising scientists including five Nobel laureates. A few days after the release of Basis, ChromaDex announced that it had begun clinical human trials to observe the effects of NAD. The result has not been released yet, but will be released once the peer review process has been …show more content…
This seems to protect mice from the ill effects of high-fat diets. Many other health benefits have been linked to SIRT1 activation in many studies, including several human trials.“NAD can also activate another sitruin, SIRT3, which is thought to keep mitochondria smoothly.” ( American Scientific)
Sinclair’s researchers also discovered that when NAD levels decrease, like they do in aging, SIRT1 activity also diminishes, which then leads to mitochondrial dysfunction. NAD boosters may work with other supplements like resveratrol to help decaying mitochondria. Another supplement was discovered by researchers in Oxford, Mississippi called pterostilbene. This discovery was important because it is much more potent than resveratrol. Also, studies showed that four times the amount of pterostilbene made it into the bloodstream than resveratrol. Finally, studies have indicated that pterostilbene can ward off various kinds of cancer and heart diseases. I believe that because the studies have not yet been performed on humans, it is not completely safe to use. But once it is perfected, it will be the “fountain of youth.” I was also surprised about how big of