A Guide to AMPK Activators
AMPK is deemed as the regulator that maintains cellular energy homeostasis that is the foundation for proper functioning of the body. In mammals, AMPK regulates the energy balance both on whole body level via response to the hormones and the brain and on cellular levels by way of sensing ATP/AMP and ATP/ADP ratio levels.
In the body, the most important energy molecule that is present is ATP. In essence, this is the starting point of cellular function. Now because of the reason that energy is used by cells, ATP breaks down into ADP that actually has got less potential for energy. Then after, ADP breaks down to AMP that has got 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. AMPK activation has an impact on the body which depends on the balance of signaling pathways and factors. Still, there are many different benefits of having increased AMPK and these are:
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 – interestingly enough, AMPK activation can help in decreasing inflammation but it can be decreased as well by 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 lots of herbal products/constituents and nutritional products too that are proven to be effective as AMPK activator and few of these are:
Number 1. AICAR – in AMP, AICAR is considered as its analog that is necessary for cellular use and storage similar to ATP. Since it’s the analog of AMP, AICAR can stimulate AMPK’s activity directly which can then improve muscle performance.
Number 2. ALA – in this case, it’s Alpha Lipoic Acid that is known to be an effective antioxidant but it’s a useful AMPK activator too. This has been uncovered to have anti obesity effect and can increase insulin sensitivity.
Number 3. Green tea extract – this was actually discovered to help in activating AMPK by means of activating its upstream kinase.
Number 4. Berberine – not just that it is an AMPK activator, it has berberine containing metformin which is great for anti-diabetes.