Why are NRF1 and Mitochondria Important for Cell Health?
What is NRF-1?
NRF-1 is the acronym for nuclear respiratory factor 1. It is responsible for producing a protein that is seen to homodimerize and act as a major transcription factor, activating the prominence of some metabolic genes. These genes are responsible for regulating nuclear genes and cellular growth that is essential for heme biosynthesis, respiration, and replication and transcription of mitochondrial DNA.
The encoded protein created by NFR-1 is linked with the controlling act for neurite outgrowth. NRF-1 along with NRF-2 relates the biogenomic coordination between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes by regulating the prominence of many ETC proteins (nuclear-encoded) directly, and also regulating the 3 COX subunit genes (mitochondrial-regulated) by triggering off mtTFA, mtTFB1, and mtTFB2.
Alternative transcriptional intertwine variants, which produce the same protein, have also been specified. Additional variants that encode different protein isoforms have been identified but their characterization is not complete. Kinase dependent on Cyclin D1, through phosphorylating NRF-1 at S47, mediates mitochondrial function and nuclear DNA.
The maintenance of homeostasis and cell metabolism is a fundamental nature of every living organism. In the case of eukaryotes, it’s the mitochondria that are the foundation of these natural, life-supporting processes. It plays leading roles in a range of key cellular functions, such as calcium and metabolic signaling, energy transduction, as well as supporting a number of biosynthetic pathways. Scientifically speaking, the possession of a distinct mitochondrial genome implies that mitochondrial ‘fitness’ needs quality control mechanisms that involve unbroken communication with the nucleus.
Mitochondrial Theory of Aging and the NRF1 pathway
Time and again, scientists have tried to establish the connection between mitochondrial fitness and aging. A major study of aging that they came up with is the mitochondrial theory of aging. It’s an established fact that the mitochondria are vital for many cellular functions. It is projected that about 95 percent of the energy we consume to function every day, is generated by the mitochondria. They produce energy by breaking down and metabolizing the food we eat and gathering high-energy electrons during the digestion process.
When our mitochondria are working properly, they use the energy present in these electrons to supply energy to the cell. When this process ends, the mitochondria bind these energy-rich electrons to molecular oxygen, which is ultimately detoxified to water. Nonetheless, the efficiency of this process is not cent percent. Even in new, healthy mitochondria, these electrons manage to escape the detoxification process, thereby potentially creating free radicals and other forms of oxidants in the body.
The mitochondrial theory of aging claims that as we age, our mitochondria lose their efficiency. As the mitochondria gets old, they become incapable of producing as much energy as before and also form more free radicals and other forms of oxidants in the body. The decrease in energy generation compromises the body’s cellular function to a great extent. The increase in the level of free radicals and oxidants damage cell structures, including our mitochondria. The mitochondrial damage further compromises mitochondrial function, thereby leading to the creation of a vicious downward spiral characterized by less mitochondrial efficiency and the increasing production of more free radical and oxidants. This ultimately contributes to a significant increase in oxidative stress on cells of the body.
Studies have revealed a number of essential nutrients that support the overall mitochondrial health. Some of these include acetyl-L-carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, as well as coenzyme Q10. Acetyl-L-carnitine is essentially an amino acid that is naturally produced in our body to help generate energy. The amino acid is responsible for transferring fatty acids into the mitochondria. That’s where they are used for energy. Alpha-lipoic acid is both water- and fat-soluble, and has four-hundred times the antioxidant power of vitamin C and E combined. It has shown to neutralize oxidants that cause damage to the mitochondria, recycle other forms of antioxidants, and regenerate glutathione. Coenzyme Q10 is a concentrated fat-soluble antioxidant present in the mitochondria. The element is essential for transporting
electrons through the chain and ultimately in the generation of ATP in the body.
The role of NFR-1
NRF1 is a major cellular signaling pathway involved in maintaining mitochondrial health. Directly or indirectly, the NRF1 cellular signaling pathway regulates a number of genes playing a role in maintaining mitochondrial health, biogenesis, and turnover.
Nrf1 triggers off the expression of critical genes involved in cellular growth, metabolism, energy production, and mitochondrial DNA replication and transcription. Along with NRF-2, NRF-1 also performs the function of mediating gene expression between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes.
Another protein that’s seen to support the maintenance of mitochondrial health is PGC1-alpha. It is acronym for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1-alpha. It is essentially a transcriptional co-activator responsible for regulating the genes involved in the metabolism of energy. This protein is a major regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and turnover, as well as healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
This is where the role of LifeVantage’s Protandim® NRF1 Synergizer™ comes into play. It is particularly formulated to aim at the NRF1 pathway and supply essential nutrients that support mitochondrial health. LifeVantage conducted a scientific study of two mitochondrial health-promoting genes, NRF-1 and PGC1-alpha, the latter known to be triggered by NRF-1. The study found that this formula was capable of activating these genes. It also showed that in a matter of just 24 hours, there was about a 65-percent rise in NRF-1 along with a 71-percent rise in PGC1-alpha.
The power of LifeVantage’s Protandim® NRF-1 Synergizer™ lies in the following plants used as ingredients:
1. Acetyl L Carnitine
In our bodies, acetyl-L-carnitine is produced from L-carnitine, which is an amino acid that is found naturally in the body. The substance assists in the production of energy. Albeit L-carnitine is an amino acid, it is not utilized to create proteins. The oral consumption of acetyl-L-carnitine is recommended for treating a variety of mental disorders.
These include age-related memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, thinking problems related to alcoholism and Lyme disease, depression, and thinking problems caused by hepatic encephalopathy (known to create poor liver functioning).
2. Quercitin
Quercetin is essentially a flavonoid, which is plant pigment found not only in plants but also in several foods, such as onions, red wine, Ginkgo biloba, apples, green tea, berries, American elder, St. John's wort, buckwheat tea and many others. People consume quercetin as a medicine to treat cardiac and blood vessel conditions, as well as to prevent cancer. Also, it is used for treating bladder infections, arthritis, and diabetes.
3. Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant. It is known by different names, such as Acetate Replacing Factor, Biletan, ALA, Thioctan, Lipoicin, etc. As a fatty acid, alpha-lipoic acid occurs naturally and is found in several foods. These include potatoes, spinach, yeast, broccoli, and organ meats such as kidney or liver. Alpha-lipoic acid has been widely seen as an alternative medicine and effective aid in treating diabetic nerve pain, weight loss, lowering blood sugar, healing wounds, improving discoloration of the skin caused by vitiligo, and reducing complications of CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) surgery.
4. Grape extract
Grape extract is a known dietary supplement which is produced by removing, drying, and grinding the seeds of grapes. These seeds are rich in health-boosting antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, phenolic acids, oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs) and flavonoids. Owing to their rich antioxidant content, grape seed extracts can help prevent certain diseases and protect people against tissue damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation
5. Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is essentially a nutrient that is found naturally in our body. It is also present in several foods. It acts as a powerful antioxidant, and protects cells from damage. It also plays a critical role in the metabolism process. Coenzyme Q10 supplements are seen to reduce blood pressure slightly, and are used in the treatment of cardiac failure and other heart-related conditions. It can possibly help to reduce some symptoms and the chances of future cardiac risks when consumed with regular prescription medications.
The above ingredients in LifeVantage’s Protandim® NRF-1 Synergizer™ are perfectly suited to people who wish to maintain proper cell health. The formula is just what people need to maintain a healthier, longer life.
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