Everything You Must Know About AMPK Activators
AMPK is the regulator that is maintaining cellular energy homeostasis which is basically the foundation of the body’s functionality. When it comes to AMPK in mammals, this works by regulating energy balance both on cellular level through sensing ATP/AMP and ATP/ADP ratio levels and at the same time, whole body by means of responding to the hormones and the brain.
Actually, ATP is the most significant energy molecule in the body. 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. In reality, this is where AMPK is used; it senses the ratios of ATP/ADP/AMP and it tells the body if it requires more ADP so by that, it will be able to maintain optimal functions.
There are different mechanisms in which AMPK acts on. 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. Still, there are many different benefits of having increased AMPK and these are:
Anti aging – AMPK activation is gradually declining as we are aging. 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 – this is AMP’s analog which is required for cellular use and storage similar to ATP. AICAR has been studied and discovered to directly affect AMPKs activity that helps it to improve muscle performance all because it’s the analog of AMP.
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.