After
the Christmas and New Year Festivities, people tend to gain a few pounds
hoping to lose it after the holiday season. Resolutions may include a promise
to the gym but as we all know too well, good intentions and will-power
quickly diminish. A new study published by Japanese scientists suggests that
help may be at hand to support that resolution.
In the past, AstaREAL®
astaxanthin research had demonstrated improved muscle endurance†,
reduced lactic acid build-up, lowered membrane peroxidation and many more.
Currently, supplements containing AstaREAL®
are used by several world-class athletes from around the globe. New findings
by Aoi et al., (2008) reveal an
opening into the mechanism of action behind increased endurance and at the
same time show new indications of enhanced fat metabolism in mice model.
The most recent data published by the researchers from the Kyoto Prefectural
University, University of Shizuoka, University of Hyogo, and University of
Nagoya revealed that astaxanthin protected the carnitine palmitoyl
transferase I (CPT I) function in mitochondria in mice during intense
physical activity (treadmill 30 m/minute). Furthermore, the astaxanthin
treated group accelerated body fat reduction or “fat-burning”
when combined with exercise compared to just exercise alone. The authors
suggested enhanced lipid metabolism during physical activity may be the
reason behind increased endurance and body fat reduction‡.
The CPT I is a lipid transport enzyme is located on
the mitochondrial membrane and it supplies lipids or “fuel” into
mitochondria for energy production. During intense physical activity muscle
mitochondria produce high amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that could
lead to CPT I oxidation resulting in decreased function of lipid transport.
The results showed that AstaREAL®
astaxanthin protected CPT I against ROS which subsequently allowed the
continual transport of fats into the mitochondria for energy production
(p<0.05). Evidence include decreased CPT I modification by HEL lipid peroxide
in Figure 1. (p<0.05) and significantly increased colocalization of
Fat/CD36 with CPT I (p<0.05) on the mitochondrial membrane (not shown).
Fat utilization compared to carbohydrates was the
predominant source of ATP energy according to the Respiratory Exchange Ratio
(RER). Furthermore, plasma lactate significantly increased by exercise, while
this elevation was suppressed by AstaREAL®
astaxanthin in the diet (P<0.05). As a result, the time to reach
exhaustion significantly increased by 20% longer than the control group
(p<0.05); refer to Figure 2.After 4 weeks of AstaREAL® intake, the body
weight and epididymal fat showed a significant decrease compared to the
exercise control and sedentary groups (Table 1).
|