Introduction
AMP activated kinase is a metabolic enzyme that helps cells get the energy they need. It is a ‘good’ enzyme; it represents a cleaning up phase of the cell energy cycle. Similar to fasting, it helps look after the health of a cell by enabling cell cleanup and preservation.
This is important because it helps our cells live longer, combat insulin resistance, be efficient with fuel burning and prevent the diseases of ageing.
Metformin is a very common drug used both for diabetes but increasingly, antiaging. Many functional medicine doctors are now prescribing it to their patients for general health.
AMPK fits into the world of good cell health; we will discuss the basics here as undoubtedly new treatments will be developed that focus on this very important enzymes.
The nerdy bits
Energy is made in a special part inside a cell called ‘the mitochondria’. The energy is then used for the cell to reproduce and replenish, which all cells do on a regular basis (like muscle, skin or gut cells) as well as to ‘clean up’ any damage to the cell. Thus, mitochondrial metabolic balance is crucial for our whole body.
When conditions for mitochondrial energy production are poor, such as low glucose, low oxygen or toxins in the cell, AMPK is activated to bring in more energy. It does this by:
- Burning more fat from our liver
- Taking up glucose from the blood stream
- Prevents cholesterol being made by the liver
- Prevents fat cells being made
- Moderates insulin release
Why is AMPK important?
AMPK is there to help cells get the energy they need and thus to function well. It helps muscle cells take up glucose, it helps cells remove damaged components (called autophagy, which is also achieved by fasting) and helps the cell repair any abnormal or damaged proteins or DNA strands which can lead to disease such as cancer if accumulated and not removed.
These functions are also related to aging as uncorrected cellular damage leads to less cell line replenishment; this is called aging.
AMPK has been shown to increase during exercise as an adaptation to cellular energy levels. In long exercise sessions, as in fasting, AMPK mediates the transition to using fats or ketones for the mitochondrial to produce energy.
How does AMPK impact aging?
AMPK helps cells balance energy. The outcome of AMPK includes using sugars and fats from the bloodstream and so is a target in the treatment of metabolic syndrome; which includes diabetes and obesity.
One of the theories of aging is that our cells and our organs function better and last longer when they have good energy supplies from the mitochondria. This relies on good nutrition, exercise and fasting in between meals; the conditions on which we evolved over history.
When the cells cannot regulate mitochondrial energy and clean up errant DNA, cancer is more likely. AMPK may be related to this general capacity: metformin and salicylate both increase AMPK and have been shown to have some anti-cancer properties. Cancer is more common in patients with metabolic syndrome.
Metformin (a diabetes medication), resveratrol (compound in red wine that assists with autophagy and cell clean up), Berberine (an anti-inflammatory herb), Alpha Lipoic Acid (an antioxidant and compound that helps the mitochondria make energy), calcium, exercise and fasting all increase AMPK.
Over time, medications or supplements related to AMPK (such as salicylate which is related to aspirin and metformin) may be useful in treating metabolic syndrome and be related to preventing cancer more generally.
Metformin is a key anti-diabetes medication, regarded by many practitioners to prolong life and slow the onset of type 2 diabetes. It is started at 500mg once per day and increase to 1g extended release per day. Metformin may cause nausea in the first week but this tends to settle.
You can read about relevant health topics by clicking the articles below:
- Telomeres and Anti-ageing
- Insulin Resistance
- Miochondria and Ageing
References:
Kim J, Yang G, Kim Y, Kim J, Ha J. AMPK activators: mechanisms of action and physiological activities. Exp Mol Med. 2016;48(4):e224. Published 2016 Apr 1. doi:10.1038/emm.2016.16
O’Brien AJ, Villani LA, Broadfield LA, et al. Salicylate activates AMPK and synergizes with metformin to reduce the survival of prostate and lung cancer cells ex vivo through inhibition of de novo lipogenesis. Biochem J. 2015;469(2):177-187. doi:10.1042/BJ20150122
