Stay Sharp: Reclaim the Sense of Vitality, Vim, and Vigor You Felt When You Were Younger
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 the resulting 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 patients’ most common complaint. Researchers at DePaul University in Chicago report more than 800,000 Americans 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 because of age-related hormonal changes such as premenopause and menopause. A recent survey of 500 women between the ages of 45 and 64 found that 56 percent reported suffering fatigue and other 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 critical substance that creates surges of energy that cells then use to perform their essential tasks.
This effect spreads throughout the body, providing vitality to every system and organ involved in sustaining life. This process is why ATP is called the “gasoline” of our cells.
Conversely, any weakness in mitochondrial membrane integrity, fluidity, or transmembrane potential results in decreased production of critical ATP. Today, leading scientists associate numerous health problems—from general feelings of fatigue to troubling heart deficiencies—to underlying weaknesses in cellular mitochondria.
Other Conditions Mimicked
For both patients and their physicians, the signs of mitochondrial malfunction may be hard to recognize. 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 differ significantly from one person to the next. Whereas you may exhibit signs of mental decline, your friend or neighbor may be affected by poor eye health or hearing problems (AldoMax). The reason for these potential differences seems to involve genetics—mitochondria have their own DNA, separate and distinct from the DNA of your body’s cells and organs.
The first signs of malfunction often appear in organs that have a high demand for energy, such as the brain, muscles, nerves, eyes, and kidneys (4). However, recognizing the underlying problem may be difficult because current diagnosis criteria are not universally accepted. In addition, many tests used to screen for mitochondrial problems can be complicated to interpret, even for savvy physicians.
Accumulation During the Aging Process
Until these tests are performed, it may be difficult to identify whether you are experiencing mitochondrial malfunction. Nevertheless, many scientists who research the aging process continue to associate cumulative damages to the mitochondria with several major health conditions. Dr. Mark K. Shigenaga and colleagues in Northern California are among a growing number of proponents for this mitochondrial theory of aging, which suggests 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 Annals of Neurology that suggested problems with mitochondria in the brain may contribute to an increase in age-related mental decline (6). Although there are currently no cures for mitochondrial malfunction and its related health problems, it is possible to help ease any negative side effects so that those afflicted can 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. This complex contains acetyl-l-carnitine, potassium pyruvate (used during the ATP conversion process), coenzyme Q10, and patented NT Factor™ and supports mitochondrial functioning. NT Factor™ contains a unique source of polyunsaturated phospholipids, which have an affinity to 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 in a study by Dr. Michael Seidman and colleagues at the Henry Ford Health System facility in Michigan. The team found that rats given this compound displayed a significantly higher mitochondrial membrane potential, suggesting the nutrient combination supported healthy mitochondrial function (7). The most impressive study, however, involved a recent test with elderly volunteers and resulted in a patent.
Alleviated Fatigue in Elderly
Led by Dr. Garth Nicholson at the Institute for Molecular Medicine, a team including researchers from the Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia enrolled a group of 20 individuals whose average age was 68. All participants were rated with scores indicating mild to moderate symptoms on a fatigue scale; in addition, their feelings of tiredness or general malaise could not be explained by an obvious medical condition. Thus, they had no known disease—only symptoms of a natural process, namely aging. Each participant was instructed to supplement their diet with NT Factor™ twice daily for 12 weeks.
Every four weeks during the study, each participant 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. 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, using NT Factor™ seemed to cause a significant decrease in the symptoms associated with less energy. At four weeks, the average decrease in overall tiredness among the volunteers was 20.2 percent; at eight weeks, the average decrease was 20.2 percent; and again at eight weeks, tiredness decreased by 33 percent. The most significant decreases occurred within the affective/meaning and sensory dimensions.
Mitochondrial Function Supported
More importantly, NT Factor™ appeared to promote healthy mitochondrial function, leading to average increases of 8.4 percent, 23.8 percent, and 23.7 percent during those same time intervals. According to the researchers, the final levels were comparable to those seen in young adults. The most dramatic effect was witnessed after about eight weeks, suggesting those using this supplement should 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. Some researchers believe NT Factor™ works so well because it supplies mitochondria with the essential nutrients 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 engage in a nutritional supplement program that includes a unique and energizing formula—one we have named Stay Sharp sublingual spray. Stay Sharp sublingual spray contains the NT Factor and sells at a wholesale price of only $59.50 per bottle.
We recommend combining this formula with other energy-producing products such as DHEA-Max, ThyBeta4-Max, and Maca-Max:
DHEA-Max is the most prolific natural hormone responsible for vim and vigor energy. Vigorous exercise is impossible without adequate amounts of this hormone because through triage, it converts to other essential hormones such as cortisol, sex, and adrenal hormones that are critical to a highly functioning body and brain.
ThyBeta4-Max improves endurance during exercise and increases strength and staminathrough muscle growth.
Maca-Max helps nourish the body and improve muscle tone. Second, it helps improve stamina and endurance. Last, it has memory-stabilizing and neuroprotective effects.
We further recommend combining these three products with high-energy foods and a healthy exercise program. Doing so can provide you with the boundless and ageless energy that you deserve. Please remember to allow time for your body to absorb and use all three products to their full potential. After all, the decline of your energy took time to fully develop, so give yourself the appropriate time it takes to set your body back on the road to robust vitality.
The FDA has not evaluated these claims. No claims are made to correct or cure a disease. Problems caused by aging such as hearing loss are not considered to be diseases. Instead, they are natural processes encountered during aging.