The AMPK Advantage

I. Introduction to AMPK

AMP - activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a remarkable enzyme present in every cell of the body. Acting as the body's master regulating switch, it significantly influences two crucial aspects: body fat composition and lifespan. By increasing AMPK levels, individuals may find it easier to achieve a lean and muscular physique, and it may even contribute to a longer life.

II. Consequences of AMPK Deficiency

A shortage of AMPK or a deficit in its signaling can lead to a plethora of adverse health conditions:

• Metabolic and Obesity - related Issues

• Abdominal obesity

• Loss of insulin sensitivity

• Excess glucose in the body

• High triglycerides and LDL cholesterol

• Inflammatory and Cellular Dysfunctions

• Chronic inflammation

• Mitochondrial dysfunction

• Accumulation of cellular debris

• Increased cellular stress

• Unfavorable gene expression

• Serious Diseases

• Heart failure

• Cancer

III. AMPK and Cancer Prevention

AMPK has long intrigued researchers studying the chemistry of weightlifting and body composition due to its ability to desensitize fat cells to insulin, thereby promoting muscle growth while reducing fat stores. A recent significant study explored the impact of a prescription drug's AMPK - modulating effects on cancer.

• The Metformin Study

• In one of the largest - scale studies of its kind, scientists analyzed the 10 - year case histories of 8,000 type II diabetics taking metformin to lower blood sugar.

• The results were astonishing: users had a 54% lower incidence of all cancers compared to the general population.

• Moreover, for those who did develop cancer, the survival rate was much higher. The earlier the drug was started, the longer they could combat cancer.

• Mechanisms of Cancer Protection

• One reason for this protection is the drug's ability to reduce obesity, a risk factor for over a dozen types of cancer.

• Additionally, AMPK, aside from its role as a fuel sensor and metabolic regulator, controls cell growth and replication. When activated, it cuts off the energy supply to cancer cells, causing them to starve.

IV. AMPK and Longevity without Calorie Restriction

Most people today suffer from nutritional overload, leading to improper glucose and fat uptake. Low levels of AMPK or improper signaling result in the accumulation of cellular waste and damaged proteins in the body.

• Benefits of Increasing AMPK

• Increasing AMPK mimics the effects of calorie restriction. In laboratory models, it is associated with a 20 - 30% increase in lifespan.

• When activated, AMPK triggers the utilization of stored fat energy, enhances the removal of sugar and fats from the blood, reduces cellular inflammation, clears cellular debris, and promotes the formation of new mitochondria.

• Controlling the growth and health of mitochondria could theoretically extend lifespan without age - related diseases, avoid metabolic disorders, and maintain youthful energy.

• From an athletic perspective, regulating the vitality and number of mitochondria in muscle cells can improve strength endurance over time.

V. Problems with AMPK - Modulating Drugs

Despite the potential benefits of AMPK - modulating drugs, there are several drawbacks:

• Lactic Acidosis Risk

• These drugs can potentially cause lactic acidosis, a life - threatening condition where lactic acid accumulates in the bloodstream faster than it can be removed. This was the main reason the diet drug phenformin was withdrawn from the market.

• Impact on Bodybuilders and Strength Athletes

• For bodybuilders and strength athletes, these drugs may not be ideal. In addition to their positive effects, they inhibit muscle protein synthesis during resistance exercise.

VI. A Natural Alternative - Cyanidin - 3 - Glucoside (C3G)

Fortunately, natural substances can also influence AMPK. One such substance is cyanidin - 3 - glucoside (C3G), sold as Indigo - 3G (available on Amazon). It is a naturally occurring anthocyanidin found in dark berries and black rice.

• Properties of C3G

• C3G is a pigment that gives these foods their characteristic indigo color. Plants produce C3G and other polyphenols to protect themselves from free - radical damage caused by long - term exposure to harsh UV light. When humans ingest C3G, they also receive this protective benefit.

• Isolated and taken in larger quantities, C3G has powerful blood - glucose - lowering properties comparable to pharmaceutical drugs. Laboratory experiments have shown dosage - related drops in blood glucose of 33% and 51%.

• Benefits for Bodybuilders

• Bodybuilders favor C3G as it enables them to build more muscle while losing fat. It shuttles nutrients towards muscle cells, resulting in better muscle pumps, increased strength, improved performance, and ultimately more muscle mass.

• Similar to glucose - disposal drugs, C3G raises adiponectin levels and decreases leptin levels by increasing AMPK levels, which in turn enhances glucose and lipid uptake directly into muscle cells.

• Unlike prescription drugs, C3G does not inhibit muscle protein synthesis, although its effects on muscle growth via AMPK activation can be diminished by FOX01, a protein involved in insulin resistance.

VII. Options for Boosting AMPK

There are four recognized methods to boost AMPK:

• Prescription Drugs

• Prescription glucose - disposal agents can increase AMPK. However, as mentioned earlier, they carry the risk of lactic acidosis and interfere with workout - induced muscle protein synthesis.

• Calorie Restriction

• Long - term calorie restriction, lasting years or even a lifetime, can increase AMPK levels. This may explain its lifespan - extending effect in laboratory models. Nevertheless, it is difficult to maintain, lacks enjoyment, and is contrary to the goal of adding muscle.

• Exercise

• Most forms of exercise can increase AMPK levels. Unfortunately, these increases are short - lived and irregular, ceasing some time after the exercise ends.

• Botanical Extracts

• Plant - based alternatives, especially supplemental C3G (available on Amazon), are highly effective in raising AMPK levels. They seem to work as well as, or even better than, prescription drugs and do not interfere with muscle protein synthesis.

VIII. References

• Dreyer HC et al. "Resistance exercise increases AMPK activity and reduces 4E - BP1 phosphorylation and protein synthesis in human skeletal muscle." J Physiol. 2006 Oct 15;576(Pt 2):613 - 24. PubMed: 16873412.

• Grace MH et al. "Hypoglycemic activity of a novel Anthocyanin - rich formulation from Lowbush Blueberry, Vacciniumangustifolium Aiton." Phytomedicine. 2009 May;16(5):406 - 15. PubMed: 19303751.

• Yun - Kyoung L et al. "Anthocyanins target AMPK/mTOR and AMPK/Wnt pathways in exerting anti - tumor effects in colon cancer or hepatocarcinoma cells." The FASEB Journal. 2010 Apr;24(S1);lb259.

• Libby G et al. "New Users of Metformin are at a Low Risk of Incident Cancer." Diabetes Care 2009;32(9):1620–1625. PubMed: 19564453.

• Liu X et al. "The role of AMPK/mTOR/S6K1 signaling axis in mediating the physiological process of exercise - induced insulin sensitization in skeletal muscle of C57BL/6 mice." Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012 Nov;1822(11):1716 - 26. PubMed: 22846606.