[Science Daily: Vitamin stops the aging process of organs]
The overall performance of the human body degenerates with the increase of age. In fact, it is an inevitable phenomenon that organs deteriorate with age. The fundamental cause for the loss of some functions of all vital organs lies on the aging of cells, tissues that builds up an organ due to over exposure to ultra-violation over years.
According to MedlinePlus, a credible
source, organs have a potent reserve ability to function exceeding the demanded
level. However, such an organ like the heart would lose 1% of this reserve each
year after the age of 30. The linear line demonstrating the relationship
between the percentage of performance of the maximum heart rate and the age in
years supports this theory.
Recently, the team of researchers at EPFL’s
Laboratory of Integrated Systems Physiology (LISP) discovered that nicotinamide
riboside (NR), a similar type to vitamin B3, has the positive effects on the
functioning of stem cells. Mitochondria is a cell organ that is useful in stem
cells owing to its crucial role in metabolism – the “powerhouse” of the cell.
Moreover, stem cells regenerates the damaged or deteriorated organ by producing
new specific cells.
The experimental results of the elderly
mice’s intake of nicotinamide riboside showed that the NR molecules helped the functions
of the mitochondria. NR possesses similar molecular structure to vitamin B3 and
is a precursor of NAD+. NAD+ plays a substantial role in the process of the aerobic
cell respiration – Krebs Cycle and Electron Transport Chain (ETC), which results
in the synthesis of ATP. Also, the mice that was given with NR had longer life
span than the mice that didn’t get it.
NR has a comparable effect on stem cells
of the brain and skin. Most importantly, there are no negative side effects
even at high doses of NR. Although for the commercialization of NR as a
medicine requires further in-depth studies, it is evident that NR demonstrates
a promising mechanism for the field of regenerative medicine.
[Bibliography]
“Vitamin stops the aging process of
organs.” Science Daily.
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. 28 April,2016. Web. 30 April, 2016.
Martin, Laura J. “Aging changes in organs – tissue – cells.”
MedlinePlus. 3 May, 2015. Web. 30 April, 2016. <https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/004012.htm>KSJ