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Newly Discovered Supplements Boast Energy for Body and Mind
By NaturalsPro Staff
If you find yourself lacking the energy that you felt in your youth but are sick of the jittery feelings that caffeine products can cause, several new discoveries by international researchers may give you that “get up and go” effect you are looking for. Fatigue seems to increase with age and recent advances in molecular technology have revealed that these changes do not have to occur. More importantly, new scientific advances offer the possibility of rediscovering the kind of vim and vigor you felt during your youth.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (1), fatigue is the most common complaint of patients in general medical practice. Researchers at DePaul University in Chicago report that more than 800,000 people suffer from sagging energy levels, with half of them being over the age of 40 (2). Women seem to have it slightly harder than men perhaps due to age-related hormonal changes such as pre-menopause and menopause. A recent survey of 500 women between the ages of 45 and 64 found that 56% of them reported suffering fatigue and related symptoms (3).
The most common complaints we hear from clients have to do with lack of energy. Millions of people from all walks of life feel tired and run down as they age.
The Causes of Lagging Energy
In recent years, researchers have tried to unravel the mystery behind the energy loss that seems to happen automatically during aging. Many have focused on the role played by tiny cellular components called mitochondria. These microscopic “energy factories” reside in every cell in your body. They convert nutrients and oxygen taken by way of the lungs into adenosine triphosphate or ATP, a crucial substance that creates surges of energy that cells use to perform their essential tasks.
This effect blossoms throughout the body, providing vitality to every system and every organ involve in sustaining life. Conversely, any weakness in mitochondrial membrane integrity, fluidity, and/or transmembrane potential seems to result in decreased production of crucial ATP. Today, leading scientists associate many health problems---from general feelings of tiredness to troubling heart deficiencies---to underlying weaknesses in cellular mitochondria.
Other Conditions Mimicked
The signs of mitochondrial malfunction may be hard to recognize, both by patients and their physicians. According to researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, the early phase tends to be mild and may not resemble any known mitochondrial problem. In addition, researchers Dr. Bruce Cohen and Dr. Deborah H. Gold point out that signs of mitochondrial insufficiency, such as fatigue, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, and abdominal discomfort, can easily be mistaken for other health afflictions (4). More importantly, manifestations of mitochondrial weakness can be quite diverse from one individual to the next. While you may exhibit signs of mental decline, your friend or neighbor may be affected by poor eye health or hearing deficiencies (AldoMax). The reason for this diversity seems to involve genetics, as mitochondria have their own DNA, separate and distinct from the DNA of your body’s cells and organs.
Often, the first signs of malfunction show up in organs that have a height demand for energy, such as the brain, muscles, nerves, eyes, and kidneys (4). Recognizing the underlying problem may be difficult because current criteria for diagnosis are not universally accepted. In addition, many tests used to screen for mitochondrial problems can be complicated to interpret, even for savvy physicians.
Accumulates With Age
Until these tests are preformed, it may be difficult to identify whether you are experiencing mitochondrial malfunction. But many scientists who research the aging process continue to associate cumulative damages to the mitochondria with several major health conditions. Mark K. Shigenaga and colleagues in Northern California are among a growing number of proponents for this mitochondrial theory of aging, which suggests that the decline in mitochondrial function can be positively correlated “with a generalized physiological decline that is common to all aging organisms” (5). To illustrate their point, these scientists cite specific studies, such as one published in the Annuls of Neurology that suggested problems with mitochondria in the brain may contribute to an increase in the incidents of age-related mental decline (6). While currently there are no cures for mitochondrial malfunction and its related health problems, it is possible to help ease the negative signs so that those afflicted may be able to live with the kind of vitality they deserve. Thanks to recent advances in nutritional science, medical professionals are now able to arm their patients and clients with exclusive nutrient protocols that may help enhance mitochondrial function and increase energy production in the body.
Promising Nutrient Protocol
One truly energizing formula involves the use of a proprietary vitamin, mineral, and nutrient complex containing acetyl-l-carnitine, potassium pyruvate (used during the ATP conversion process), and patented NT Factor™ (supports mitochondrial functioning in important ways). This latter supplement contains a unique source of polyunsaturated phospholipids that have an affinity for the essential membrane structures in the mitochondria themselves. The components constitute the bilayer structure of cellular membranes and promote the activity of the essential proteins and enzymes that are vital for mitochondrial function.
Initial animal studies with NT Factor™ were promising, as seen by a study by Dr. Michael Seidman and colleagues at the Henry Ford Health System facility in Michigan. The team found that rats fed this compound displayed a significantly higher mitochondrial membrane potential, suggesting that the nutrient combination supported healthy mitochondrial function (7). But the most impressive study involved a recent test with elderly volunteers and resulted in a patent.
Alleviated Fatigue in Elderly
A team led by Dr. Garth Nicholson at the Institute for Molecular Medicine, including researchers from the Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia, enrolled a group of 20 individuals with an average age of 68. All of the participants were rated with either mild to moderate scores on a fatigue scale, and their feelings of tiredness or general malaise could not be explained by an obvious medical condition. Thus, they had no disease, but only symptoms of a natural process, namely aging. Each participant was given instructions to supplement their diet with NT Factor™twice daily for 12 weeks.
Every four weeks during the study, each person was measured for signs of lack of energy using the Piper Fatigue Scale, which measures four dimensions: sensory, behavioral/severity, affective/meaning, and cognitive/mood energy. In addition, each person was injected with a tracking dye called rhodamine 123, which the researchers used to detect the mitochondrial production and transport of key energetic compounds, including ATP. On average, the use of NT Factor™ seemed to cause a significant decrease in the signs associated with less energy. At four weeks, the average decrease in overall tiredness was 20.2%; at eight weeks, the average decrease in overall tiredness was 20.2%; at eight weeks, tiredness decreased by 33% in the volunteers. The most significant effect occurred within the affective/meaning parameter and the sensory measurement.
Mitochondrial Function Supported
More importantly, NT Factor™ seemed to promote healthy mitochondrial function, leading to average increases of 8.4%, 23.8%, and 23.7% during those same intervals. According to the researchers, the final levels were comparable to those seen in young adults. In addition, the most dramatic effect was witnessed after about eight weeks, suggesting that those using this supplement give their bodies at least two months to judge its effectiveness (8).
This encouraging study was published in the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and is being followed up by similar tests of this unique nutrient protocol. Some researchers believe that NT Factor™ works so well because it supplies mitochondria with the essential nutrients that they need to maintain membrane structure and function, so that the essential conversion of oxygen and food nutrients into ATP can occur. These effects lead to a subsequent surge of energy to the body’s organs.
In light of the progression of mitochondrial weakness that seems to occur with age, and the detrimental effect that a lack of energy can have on the aging body, it seems wise to employ a nutritional supplement program that includes a unique and highly energizing formula.
A Red-Ribbon Packaged Deal
We recommend combining this formula with other energy-producing products such as DHEA-Max, ThyBeta4-Max and Maca-Max for the following reasons:
DHEA-Max is the largest natural hormone responsible for vim and vigor energy throughout the body. Vigorous exercise is not possible without adequate amounts of this hormone because through triage, it converts to other essential hormones such as cortisol, sex, and adrenal hormones that are essential to a highly functioning body and brain.
ThyBeta4-Max improves endurance during exercise and increases strength and stamina through muscle growth.
Maca-Max helps to nourish the body and improve muscle tone.
Second, it helps to improve stamina and endurance. Last, it has memory stabilization and neuroprotective effects.
We further recommend combining these three products together with high-energy foods and a healthy exercise program. These can provide you with the boundless and ageless energy that you deserve. Please remember to allow your body to absorb and use all these three products to their full potential. After all, the progression of your energy loss took time to fully develop; give yourself the time it takes to set your body back on the road to robust vitality!
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