Daily Archives: 7 June 2024

Natural molecule found in coffee and the human body boosts NAD+ levels and enhances muscle function as we age

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A recent breakthrough by a research consortium led by Nestlé Research in Switzerland and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) has uncovered that trigonelline, a natural molecule found in coffee, fenugreek, and also within the human body, may significantly enhance muscle health and function. This discovery was part of an extensive international collaboration involving the University of Southampton, University of Melbourne, University of Tehran, University of South Alabama, University of Toyama, and University of Copenhagen, building upon earlier collaborative research which uncovered new mechanisms of human sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia is a condition characterised by age-related cellular changes progressively weakening muscles, leading to a rapid decline in muscle mass and strength and diminishing physical independence. A critical issue during sarcopenia is the reduction of the cellular cofactor NAD+ with age, coupled with decreased energy production by mitochondria, the energy powerhouses of our cells. The research identified that older individuals with sarcopenia have lower levels of trigonelline. In pre-clinical models, administering this molecule resulted in heightened NAD+ levels, enhanced mitochondrial activity, and helped maintain muscle function as ageing progressed.

NAD+ levels can be boosted through various dietary precursors such as the essential amino acid L-tryptophan (L-Trp), and forms of vitamin B3 including nicotinic acid (NA), nicotinamide (NAM), nicotinamide riboside (NR), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN).

Assistant Professor Vincenzo Sorrentino, from the Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme at NUS Medicine, commented on the findings: “Our findings broaden the existing knowledge of NAD+ metabolism through the identification of trigonelline as a novel precursor of NAD+, enhancing the prospects for developing interventions that utilise NAD+-producing vitamins for both promoting healthy longevity and tackling age-associated diseases.”

Both nutrition and physical activity play vital roles in maintaining muscle health during ageing. Jerome Feige, Head of the Physical Health department at Nestlé Research, expressed enthusiasm about the implications of their research: “We were thrilled to find through our collaborative efforts that a naturally occurring molecule in food can interact with cellular age markers. The impact of trigonelline on cellular metabolism and muscle health as we age offers exciting prospects for practical applications in the field.”

More information: Mathieu Membrez et al, Trigonelline is an NAD+ precursor that improves muscle function during ageing and is reduced in human sarcopenia, Nature Metabolism. DOI: 10.1038/s42255-024-00997-x

Journal information: Nature Metabolism Provided by NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

Feeling down and moving less? Or perhaps moving more and feeling uplifted? It can work either way

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New findings from the University of Toronto reveal that adults who have reported more symptoms of depression over the past week are also less likely to have been physically active during the same timeframe. This relationship is bidirectional: increased physical activity is similarly associated with better mental health. Published in the journal Mental Health and Physical Activity, the research enhances our comprehension of how symptoms of depression and physical activity interrelate and influence each other during adulthood.

Soli Dubash, a doctoral candidate at the University of Toronto’s Department of Sociology, expressed surprise at the findings. “It was unexpected to discover that current symptoms of depression could adversely affect your levels of physical activity even two to five years later, whereas being inactive today does not predict future symptoms of depression,” Dubash noted. She suggested that while the impacts of current depression might be enduring, they seem less significant than the influences of current physical activity.

Numerous studies have confirmed that physical activities such as going to the gym, dancing, gardening, or walking can significantly enhance mental and physical health, with benefits comparable to those of antidepressant medications. This new study supports these findings, demonstrating a connection between weekly physical activity and depression symptoms and suggesting that increased activity can elevate mood.

Dubash emphasised the importance of understanding the reciprocal relationship between mental health and physical activity. “This understanding can empower individuals to make informed decisions regarding their health, as well as the health of their family and community members,” she said. She highlighted the significance of recognising how increased and decreased physical activity can affect mood and overall health.

The study tracked a nationally representative sample of 3,499 U.S. adults from 1986 to 2011 to explore the lasting effects of initial differences in physical activity levels and symptoms of depression. It examined how past physical activity and depression symptoms can predict their future states and assessed the stability of this relationship throughout adulthood. A novel causal inference technique was employed to ensure that the findings accurately reflect real-world experiences. This method accounted for stable individual characteristics that might otherwise confound results, such as biology, family and community backgrounds, and personal histories.

Dubash discussed how this innovative methodological approach allows for a more nuanced examination of the dynamic interplay between depression and physical activity over time. “This technique enables us to consider several alternative explanations and adjusts for factors like genetics or early life experiences that might influence this relationship,” she explained.

The study confirms that physical activity and mental health are mutually influential. Regular physical activity can consistently enhance mood week by week. While earlier depression symptoms may linger, their long-term effects are generally less substantial than the effects of current physical activity. The research also indicates that untreated depression symptoms can have detrimental effects on physical activity levels over time, which may lead to further health complications.

Dubash concluded by stressing the importance of informed decision-making regarding mental health treatment, particularly with the awareness that physical activity remains one of the most effective ways to improve individual and community health. “However, it’s crucial that more people understand how depression symptoms can impact this process,” she added.

More information: Soli Dubash et al, The interplay of depression symptoms and physical activity: Bidirectional insights from 25-years of the Americans’ changing lives panel, Mental Health and Physical Activity. DOI: 10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100599

Journal information: Mental Health and Physical Activity Provided by University of Toronto