AMPK: Mitochondrial Biogenesis, Visceral Fat Reduction, Anti-Aging, Anti-Inflammatory – and More

Image from Life Extension Foundation

There has been an explosion of published research in the medical literature the last several years (over 8,000 citations in PubMed just on the search term AMPK) documenting the wide ranging significance of this endogenously produced enzyme on our health.

The Dangers of Reduced AMPK

With reduced AMPK signaling, a range of damaging conditions begins to take over a previously healthy body, often leading to an early death.

These damaging conditions include:

• Increased belly fat,^47,48
• Chronic inflammation,^7,47,48
• Elevated blood sugar,^47-50
• Insulin resistance,^7,47-50
• High cholesterol and triglycerides,^47,48
• Decreased numbers and function of mitochondria,^7,47,48
• Increased accumulations of abnormal or damaged proteins in our cells that lead to neurodegeneration.^7,51

To date, experiments have shown that increased AMPK activation is associated with:

Extended life span by as much as 20–30% in animals,^7,22,106

Improved glucose uptake in cells, lowering blood sugar,^58,69,70

Inhibiting excess fat synthesis and increased burning of stored fat,^17,71

Reduction of blood triglycerides,⁷²

Decreased liver fat accumulation and fat-related chronic inflammation,⁶³

Increased numbers of new, healthy mitochondria.^62-64,69

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Robert (Rob) Lamberton