Bioenergy Life Science discovery holds sports industry potential with AMPK activation

06 Apr 2022 --- Biotechnology company Bioenergy Life Science’s (BLS) ribose has been shown in pre-clinical trials to significantly increase adenosine 5’ monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) at a low dosage, both with strenuous exercise and without exercise.

“The sports nutrition industry can benefit from BLS’s discovery because we have formulated a product with an AMPK activator that delivers results and consistently activates AMPK even while not exercising,” Dr. ‌Michael Crabtree, director of scientific affairs, Bioenergy Life Science, tells NutritionInsight.

“AMPK stimulation presents an opportunity to describe the relationship between ribose and energy. We no longer talk merely about ribose and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). We are at the forefront of genuine contributions to understanding stress, adaptation and energy.”

According to the researchers, low dosages of Bioenergy ribose effectively enhance serum ATP levels and aid in maintaining energy levels.

It can also boost the activation of genes known to be up-regulated during exercise, enhancing the health and well-being advantages of regular exercise.

“Further research is expected to confirm our findings on this discovery of AMPK activation with such a long-standing ingredient,” adds Crabtree.

Marketable ingredient
AMPK contributes to energy level maintenance by regulating energy consumption and production. The company adds that energy depletion is thought to stimulate AMPK activity.

According to the experiments, low doses of Bioenergy ribose enhanced AMPK production both with and without exercise.Helpful “stressors” like calorie restriction, fasting and strenuous exercise are some of the best AMPK stimulators. This can be compared to the well-known ketogenic diet.

“Stress and energy are dialectical sides of a single subject. If we can understand why stress inhibits performance, we can solve the problem of stress and aging itself. Our research contributing to understanding the direct connection between Bioenergy ribose and AMPK activation is a big step forward,” says Crabtree.

“We all know dietary supplements that activate AMPK can be very marketable. These benefits include weight loss, targeted abdominal fat weight loss, lowering triglyceride levels in the liver, reducing inflammation, improving metabolic pathways and improving mitochondria health.”

Building on energy arena
BLS conducted pre-clinical investigations to assess the energy-boosting benefits of orally administered D-ribose in low doses when combined with exercise.

During these trials, researchers observed a significant increase in ATP levels in both exercising and non-exercising groups. According to BLS, in inactive participants, serum ATP levels were up to 250% higher than in the control group.

When exercise was combined with D-ribose treatment, serum ATP levels increased even more. Researchers observed that without exercise, participants had a rise in AMPK in the liver, heart, and skeletal muscle tissue, showing ribose’s ability to boost AMPK.

Researchers observed an increase in PGC-1a activity (an energy metabolism regulation molecule) in the skeletal muscle by 30%.The company’s ribose used in combination with exercise resulted in a 260% rise in PGC-1a in muscle without exercise. PGC-1a is a molecule responsible for fat loss and energy metabolism regulation.

BLS also observed a significant increase in citrate synthase activity, indicating increased new cell turnover or a more substantial number of mitochondria. Treatment with D-ribose did not result in a significant change in feed intake or bodyweight growth.

These findings build on BLS’s activity in the energy arena. The company previously partnered with Taiyo to produce First Date’s Date & Oat Bites that “fuel” the body with healthy fats and fiber for energy and mood.

Tapping into NPD
Industry players have been tapping into NPD that increases AMPK activation as it may help to prevent or delay the effects of aging. Insufficient AMPK activity is associated with aging processes.

In this space, UltraSpec Laboratory released an all-in-one capsule to aid consumers with healthy aging. The Elixir Fount’y NMN 12000 product contains a blend of ingredients (𝛃-NMN, red wine extract and resveratrol) that activate three anti-aging pathways: sirtuins, mTOR and AMPK, promoting a youthful appearance.

Meanwhile, CosmaxBio created an ingredient based on Hydrangea Serrata leaf extract, which may aid weight loss and skin health. According to a high-fat diet animal test, the leaf extract was found “to improve adipocyte hypertrophy and liver fat accumulation by regulating the AMPK and AKT/mTOR pathways.”

By Nicole Kerr