This Enzyme Slows Aging and Promotes Weight Loss
There is an enzyme in our body that, when activated, accelerates fat burning, promotes health, and slows down the body’s aging process. This enzyme is called AMPK (adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase). It is present in every cell of the body and acts as the body’s “master regulatory switch” (the main metabolic molecule), influencing the way cells process energy, regulate the body’s metabolic state, and activate numerous downstream molecules.
When cells lose energy, they degenerate, and our level of health declines. In other words, AMPK determines the body’s fat composition, health status, and lifespan. Once AMPK is activated, the body begins to burn stored fat. And when AMPK is active, cellular energy increases, which promotes health and longevity.
Why AMPK Can Help Us Get Leaner and Healthier?
AMPK enhances overall health by promoting insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance causes metabolic changes in the body and can lead to a variety of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
AMPK also increases the number of mitochondria. The mitochondria (mitochondria) is a two-layered organelle found in most cells. It is the main site of aerobic respiration within the cell, converting oxygen and food into energy for the body, hence the name “powerhouse”.
Strong mitochondria are vital to our health and longevity, and they are the powerhouse of every cell in the body. When the number of mitochondria decreases or loses its ability to start, our body begins to age.
Another enzyme that is just as important as AMPK is SIRT1 (deacetylase). This enzyme has similar effects to AMPK on cellular metabolism, inflammation, and mitochondrial function.
Together, these two enzymes enhance the body’s ability to fight stress, promote mitochondrial function, prevent heart disease and cancer, and reduce inflammation, thereby improving overall health and slowing aging.
Why Do AMPK Levels Decline?
Unhealthy living and eating habits cause the body to produce large amounts of free radicals, which can damage normal cells and tissues in the body and cause various inflammatory conditions.
When cells are hit with too much energy, the activity of AMPK decreases and our health declines, this can lead to weight gain, degenerative diseases, diabetes, and a shorter life span.
AMPK is the controller of the link between metabolism and longevity, telling cells when to produce, store, or burn fat for energy, and without this important enzyme, we are at risk for weight gain, accelerated aging, and poor health.
Signs of AMPK Deficiency:
- Difficulty losing weight
- Increased abdominal fat
- Elevated blood sugar
- Insulin resistance
- High cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Decreased mitochondrial function
How to Activate AMPK?
When AMPK is activated to healthy levels, the body will begin to more fully utilize stored fat as an energy source. As a result, fat burning will be accelerated and inflammation levels in the body will decrease.
Here are some natural nutrients that activate AMPK:
- Resveratrol – Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that activates AMPK directly and Sit1 indirectly. Resveratrol-rich foods include grapes, mulberry cheese, pomegranate, cranberries, blueberries, peanuts, and red wine.
- Lipoic Acid – activates AMPK in tissues, especially muscle tissue. In addition, this beneficial nutrient can help control appetite by inhibiting AMPK in the hypothalamus, thereby reducing food intake. Foods were rich in lipoic acids, such as spinach, cauliflower, potatoes, meat, and animal offal.
- Fish Oil – The EPA and DHA in fish oil directly activate AMPK in the cells.
- Quercetin – Quercetin is found in many plants, including fruits, vegetables, and grains, and it increases AMPK in fat, muscle, and liver. foods rich in quercetin include apples, red onions, tomatoes, green tea, grape skins, citrus fruits, etc.
- EGCG (epigallocatechin vinegar) – It is a polyphenolic phytochemical contained in green tea. One of its mechanisms of action is to improve lipid metabolism by activating AMPK and causing a series of downstream effects.
- Curcumin – Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric, mustard, and curry. It inhibits the growth of cancer cells by activating AMPK in cells.
- Dietary Fiber – Fiber is a key nutrient for activating AMPK. In particular, konjac contains glucomannan, a special form of soluble fiber that improves insulin sensitivity and activates AMPK many times better than other fibers.
Other methods of activating AMPK include:
- Mild Fasting – Fasting can reduce caloric intake to some extent, and after a period of fasting, it can also activate cellular autophagy, effectively increasing AMPK activity, reducing risk factors for heart disease, preventing cancer, improving insulin sensitivity, and slowing aging.
- Healthy Diet – A healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, and good fats helps reduce inflammation, activates AMPK, and promotes fat burning.
- Exercise – Muscle contraction stimulates AMPK activity. In particular, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is very effective at activating AMPK. HIIT can be performed in a variety of ways and does not take long to get great results, making it ideal for fat-burning and weight loss as well as improving health.