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Metallothioneins: Beyond Metal Ion Homeostasis
Reading Time: 6 minutesMetallothioneins are liver-produced, metal-binding proteins rich in cysteine residues. The sulfhydryl groups provided by such residues enable chelation of several metal ions, including lead, cadmium, and zinc, creating metal-thiolate clusters. The primary metallothioneine isoforms are MT1, MT2, MT3, and MT4, each of which displays a unique biological function and tissue-specific pattern of…
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TMAO as a Neurological Disease Biomarker
Reading Time: 5 minutesTrimethylamines (TMAs) are gut-derived metabolites that undergo transformation in the liver to trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). While TMAO has historically been associated with cardiovascular disease risk, it’s novel interpretation as a neurological disease biomarker is gaining recognition. Both TMAO and its precursor TMA are able to readily cross the blood-brain barrier where they…
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Epigenetic Biomarkers and Health
Reading Time: 5 minutesThe question as to why those of the same chronological age exhibit different disease susceptibility and health status has elicited the development of other forms of measurement better adapted to predict patterns of aging. Biological age extends beyond chronological age to represent accumulated deterioration of cell, tissue, and organ function. Elevated biological…
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Bioactives in Sports Injuries Part 2: Polyphenols & Other Nutrients
Reading Time: 10 minutesAthletes are constantly plagued by injuries that can impair performance and hinder their ability to train. Nutrition and bioactive compounds can aid in tissue regeneration, delivering the appropriate building blocks for repair processes and attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation. Proper nutrition may even assist in mitigating injury by supporting recovery and tissue…
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Bioactives in Sports Injuries Part 1: Pre-, Pro-, and Postbiotics
Reading Time: 7 minutesAthletes are constantly plagued by injuries that can impair performance and hinder their ability to train. Nutrition and bioactive compounds can aid in tissue regeneration, delivering the appropriate building blocks for repair processes and attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation. Proper nutrition may even assist in mitigating injury by supporting recovery and tissue…
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Alpha-Lipoic-Acid, Urolithin A, and Ergothioneine Modulate Ferroptosis and Mitochondrial Performance in CVD
Reading Time: 7 minutesRedox imbalance and mitochondrial dysfunction lie at the root of the metabolic dysregulation that exacerbates cardiovascular disease progression. Mitochondria provide the critical energy required by the heart muscle for continuous contraction. However, mitochondria are also the most prevalent source of reactive oxygen species. These molecules execute important signaling functions when produced in…
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Dysbiosis Drives Atherosclerosis
Reading Time: 5 minutesIn spite of the evolution of lipid-lowering therapies, the presence of persistent, chronic inflammation continues to drive cardiovascular disease risk independent of lipid biomarkers. Studies have demonstrated improved atherosclerotic outcomes when inflammation itself is directly targeted on top of blood lipids. Identification of the upstream source of dysfunctional inflammatory resolution remains the…
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Regenerative Treatments for Cardiac Muscle
Reading Time: 3 minutesMy previous post dove into some of the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease, including metabolic disturbance, vasculature stiffening, endothelial dysfunction, poor mitochondrial performance, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation. Age-associated senescence is another contributor to low-grade inflammation. Senescent cells secrete a variety of injurious and immune-activating compounds which characterize their pro-inflammatory, senescence-associated secretory phenotype…
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Metabolic Remodeling Response to Exercise
Reading Time: 6 minutesAs a leading cause of death globally, cardiovascular disease remains one of the greatest threats to long term health. Cardiac muscle requires a perpetual and consistent source of fuel to sustain a regular heartbeat and corresponding nutrient delivery to peripheral tissues. This type of energy is largely supplied by mitochondrial oxidation of…
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Thyroid Involvement in Brain Aging
Reading Time: 5 minutesThe thyroid gland is the master metabolic regulator, coordinating the metabolism of every bodily organ and system. The thyroid and the brain are intricately linked through the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. The brain acts as the conductor, informing the thyroid of hormone needs. Thyroid hormones in turn support neurological function by stimulating energetic pathways…