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Adenosine Triphosphate,
the energy of life Adenosine
Triphosphate (pronounced A-den-o-seen Try-foss-fate) or ATP represents the
universal energy molecule. In a very real sense ATP is the power behind life.
ATP is a nucleotide consisting of adenine, ribose, and a phosphate unit. It is
the principal carrier of energy for all forms of life. ATP is estimated
to provide 95% for all cellular energy throughout the body. The
Power behind Life In essence, energy arrives from the Sun, but
humans are unable to convert it directly to run metabolic processes. Therefore,
we depend on photosynthesis to convert solar energy into chemical storage (in
the form of carbohydrate). Through catabolic metabolism, carbohydrate is
converted into the energy of ATP. Nobel
Prize The importance of the role of ATP cannot be
overstated. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why in 1997 the Nobel Prize for
chemistry was awarded to; Dr. John Walker of the Laboratory of Molecular
Biology, Cambridge, Dr. Paul Boyer of the University of California, Los Angeles
and Dr. Jens Skou of the Aarhus University, Denmark for their detailed work on
how ATP shuttles energy. ATP
and the Mitochondria ATP is created inside cells called mitochondria.
The mitochondria can be found in every cell of every organ, but they are perhaps
“hardest at work” inside the brain. This isn’t a surprise considering that
the brain utilizes approximately 20% of the body’s oxygen and 50% of the
sugars we ingest in its ever constant demand for energy. The
Dangers of ATP Production Problems The
brain is unable to store ATP and the mitochondria are unable to “share” ATP
from other organs mitochondria. It is estimated that the demands for a resting
human are 40Kg (88 Lbs.) of ATP per 24-hours!
During strenuous activity this demand increases to 500g (1.1 Lbs.) per
minute! Yet
while ATP serves as the energy current for all cells, its quantity is very
limited. In fact, only about 70mg of ATP is stored in the body at any one time!
Therefore, during strenuous activity, such as sprinting, ATP supplies
would last for no more than 5 to 8 seconds! It
becomes immediately apparent that ATP must be constantly and effectively
synthesized to provide a continuous supply of energy.
When an interruption of the energy producing substances (such as oxygen
or blood carrying nutrients) occurs, (e.g. heart attack or stroke) that as the
production of ATP is effected a cascade of free-radical damage begins. Recent
research indicates that it may be an ATP-imbalance, (the result of damage to the
neuronal support [glial] cells, or to the mitochondria themselves under ischemic
and hypoxic conditions such as those mentioned above) that leads to increased
neuronal cell death. However,
even “minor” oxygen and blood starvation events, such as those that may not
appear serious but may be attributed to an aging condition, could lead directly
to temporally lobe epilepsy (a mild form of epilepsy). Furthermore,
we can consider that such events also have a consequence for the onset of
multiple sclerosis itself. ATP
and Disorders Around the world ATP
supplements have been and are being used in all the following conditions: 1.
Acrocyanosis: (Discoloration of
hands and feet due to poor circulation). 2.
Acroparaesthesiae: (Tingling in
hands and feet). 3.
Asthma: (In general). 4.
Back Pain: (Particularly mild
lower back pain). 5.
Cardiology: (Spasms related to the
coronary arteries and thrombosis of peripheral vessels. And as a preventative
for potential heart attack). 6.
Chronic Asthenia: (Accompanied or
not by low blood pressure, genital and senile asthenia, stress). 7.
Circulatory Alterations: (In
general). 8.
Convalescence: (Following
operations and of seriously ill patients). 9.
Dermatology: (Atopic dermatitis,
chronic and acute eczema). 10.
Diabetes: (As a coadjutant in the
treatment of diabetic arteriopathies). 11.
Ear Problems: (Ménière's
Disease, Tinnitus [ringing in the ears], deafness due to nerves, deafness due to
streptomycin). 12.
Endocrinology: (In general). 13.
Geriatrics: (Improve well being
and energy). 14.
Gynecology: (Particularly
alterations due to spasms of the uterine muscle). 15.
Itching: (In general). 16.
Neurology: (As a coadjutant in the
treatment of extended sclerosis and other neurological lesions and related to
muscular dystrophy’s). 17.
Nutrition: (In general). 18.
Ophthalmology: (Strained
eyesight). 19.
Poisoning: (In general). 20.
Raynaud's Disease: (Blanching of
the fingers and toes). 21.
Rheumatism: (In general). 22.
Sports Medicine: (Training,
physical strain, fatigue of all kinds). 23.
Surgery: (Prior to and following surgery to prevent anoxia). ATP
and Aging The body’s ATP production declines as we
age. the size, volume, and number of the mitochondria alter during age.
As the mitochondria produce ATP, an abundance of free radicals are
generated. Free radicals over a life-time damage cellular components which of
course leads to decreased efficiency. Conclusion Whilst the authors could find no clinical studies
to support ATP supplementation and aging, there is no doubt that ATP is a vital
component of life. It
appears to be a logical step that ATP supplementation can aid and assist in
improving energy levels and help support conditions such as chronic fatigue,
multiple sclerosis and similar disorders where neuronal glial cells and
mitochondria are especially at-risk. We’ve
heard from a number of patients and health professionals that sublingual or
injectable ATP supplementation can be highly beneficial for those who feel
permanently weak, tired, or lack energy (i.e. chronic fatigue). Dosages,
Side Effects and Contraindications It is noted that patients with either pulmonary
hypertension or myocardial infarction should not use ATP if the disease is in
its acute phase. ATP
appears to be a very safe and satisfactory supplement Whilst
dosages have to be altered according to the age and condition of the patient and
the desired result, it is generally considered that the following dosages are
effective in 90% of cases: By
injection: 2-4 c.c. daily by deep intramuscular injection (or by intravenous
injection when dissolved in a glucose serum). By
sublingual absorption (under the tongue): 30mg to 90mg per day taken in three
divided doses (i.e. 10-30mg three times per day). It is important to ensure that
the product is absorbed through the mouth membranes and not swallowed. References
ALL INFORMATION IS EDUCATIONAL AND SHOULD NOT REPLACE THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN. The above article is copyrighted and may not be copied without the written permission of International Antiaging Systems, Les Autelets Suite A, Sark GY9 0SF, Channel Islands, UK. International
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