Garth L. Nicolson
The Institute for Molecular Medicine, USA
Title: Membrane lipid replacement for enhancing mitochondrial function and improving fatigue, pain and other symptoms in aging patients
Biography
Biography: Garth L. Nicolson
Abstract
Loss of function of mitochondria, the key cell organelle responsible for approximately 90% of cellular energy production, can result in cell death, excess fatigue, pain, and other symptoms that are common problems in almost if not all age-related chronic diseases as well as advanced age. These diseases include neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, neurobehavioral and psychiatric diseases, musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal diseases, fatiguing illnesses, cancer and chronic infections, among others. The mitochondrial function also declines in advanced age. At the molecular level reductions in mitochondrial function occur when there is a loss of mitochondrial maintenance of inner membrane trans-membrane potential due to oxidative damage by Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) as well as loss of critical mitochondrial co-factors, resulting in reduced efficiency of the electron transport chain and less generation of ATP. Membrane Lipid Replacement (MLR) using an all-natural nutritional supplement mixture containing membrane glycerolphospholipids can be used to repair mitochondrial inner membrane damage, improve inner mitochondrial membrane trans-membrane potential and mitochondrial function, reverse ROS damage and increase the efficiency of the electron transport chain. Recent clinical trials have shown the benefits of MLR in enhancing mitochondrial function, reducing fatigue, pain, and other symptoms while improving mood and cognition. For example, mitochondrial function and inner membrane trans-membrane potential have been enhanced by 25-35%, resulting in decreases in fatigue by 35-45% in aging chronically ill patients in clinical trials. MLR has also been used to reduce the adverse effects of cancer chemotherapy and improve symptoms other than fatigue in chronic illness patients.