All About AMPK Activators
To ensure that the body is functioning properly, AMPK is crucial as it is regulating the maintenance of cellular energy homeostasis. Now in mammals, AMPK is regulating the energy balance at both on cellular level by means of sensing ATP/AMP and ATP/ADP ratio levels and whole body level through response to the hormones and the brain.
In the body, the most important energy molecule that is present is ATP. In essence, this is the starting point of cellular function. Because energy is being used by cells, ATP is breaking down into ADP which has less potential for energy. ADP is then broken down to AMP which has contains the least energy potential among all 3. As a matter of fact, this is where AMPK becomes crucial by sensing if there is appropriate ratio among ATP/ADP/AMP and from there, tells the body if it requires more ADP to function properly.
AMPK acts on various processes through different mechanisms. This makes sense since AMPK is the master regulator of all functioning cells. The impact of AMPK activation in our body will depend on a complicated balance of both factors as well as signaling pathways. Even so, there are some accepted benefits of increased AMPK activation including:
Anti aging – as we age, comes along with the gradual decline of AMPK activation. Some experts think that AMPK is among the contributing factors for aging. This promotes cellular renewal and at the same time, production of new mitochondria.
Anti inflammation – inflammation decreases the level of AMPK activation in the body but what’s interesting is that, AMPK is used as well to decrease inflammation.
Anti diabetic – the truth is, AMPK is becoming more and more understood when it comes to its role in diabetes treatment mainly because of the ability it has in enhancing insulin sensitivity.
There are so many herbal products/constituents as well as nutritional products that have been proven to be an effective AMPK activator and some of it include:
Number 1. AICAR – this is AMP’s analog which is required for cellular use and storage similar to ATP. Because it is AMP’s analog, AICAR has the capability of stimulating AMPK’s activity directly which can actually boost muscle performance.
Number 2. ALA – ALA or in this case, Alpha Lipoic Acid is not just an effective antioxidant but also, a powerful AMPK activator. It’s been shown to boost the sensitivity of insulin in the body and also, carries anti obesity effects.
Number 3. Green tea extract – this helps in activating upstream kinase which then helps in activating AMPK.
Number 4. Berberine – not just that it is an AMPK activator, it has berberine containing metformin which is great for anti-diabetes.
