Supplement Smart: The mescreen™ Series for Personalized Mitochondrial Health
💥 Why Urolithin A Is Just the Thing for a Mitochondrial Boost
If you’ve been feeling low on energy, struggling with muscle recovery, or noticing signs of aging catching up a little too fast, your mitochondria might be waving a red flag.
Think of mitochondria as your cells’ energy factories. When they run smoothly, so do you. But when they start to slow down, due to age, stress, poor diet, or just modern life, you feel it: fatigue, inflammation, and even decreased muscle strength.
That’s where Urolithin A steps in, a powerful, naturally-derived compound that’s turning heads in the longevity and biohacking world. Here's why it might be the mitochondrial miracle you've been waiting for.
🔬 What Is Urolithin A?
Urolithin A is a postbiotic compound produced when your gut microbiome metabolizes ellagitannins, antioxidants found in foods like pomegranates, berries, and walnuts.
But here’s the twist: not everyone’s gut can make it. Only about 30–40% of people naturally produce Urolithin A in significant amounts. So even if you’re eating all the right foods, your body might not be unlocking this mitochondrial magic (Selma et al., 2014).
Thankfully, Urolithin A supplements are now available, and the science behind them is strong. Learn more here.
⚙️ Mitochondria and Aging: The Core Connection
As we age, our mitochondria decline in both number and efficiency. This means less cellular energy (ATP), slower metabolism, reduced muscle endurance, and even cognitive sluggishness (Bratic & Larsson, 2013).
One of the most effective ways to counteract this is through mitophagy, the body’s process of clearing out damaged mitochondria and replacing them with new, healthy ones.
Urolithin A is the first compound shown in humans to activate mitophagy. That means it's not just preserving your energy factories, it’s helping your body build new and improved ones (Ryu et al., 2016).
🚀 Benefits of Urolithin A for Mitochondrial Health
- Boosts cellular energy production by improving mitochondrial function.
- Supports muscle strength and endurance, especially in older adults (Andreux et al., 2019).
- Slows age-related decline by targeting damaged mitochondria at the root.
- Reduces inflammation linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.
- May protect brain and heart health through enhanced mitochondrial cleanup.
🧬 What the Research Says
Nature Medicine (2016): Showed Urolithin A’s ability to improve muscle function in animals and trigger mitophagy (Ryu et al., 2016).
Human Trials (2022): Demonstrated significant improvements in muscle strength and mitochondrial health in older adults (Ghosh et al., 2022).
Ongoing studies are exploring its potential in metabolic, neurodegenerative, and age-related diseases.
🍇 Food Isn’t Always Enough
Even though Urolithin A is derived from foods rich in ellagitannins, you’d need to eat huge amounts of pomegranates or berries, and have the right gut bacteria, to make enough on your own (Selma et al., 2014).
That’s why clinically tested Urolithin A supplements are a popular choice for consistent mitochondrial support.
⚠️ But Here’s the Important Part: Is It Right for You?
While Urolithin A is generally good for mitochondrial health, that doesn’t mean it’s automatically the right supplement for your unique biology. Everyone’s mitochondrial function is different, and blindly taking supplements without knowing your own status can lead to wasted effort or even imbalances.
To truly get the most from mitochondrial boosters like Urolithin A, you need to measure your mitochondrial function first. That’s where mescreen™ comes in. It’s a simple test that reveals your cellular energy health, helping you understand if Urolithin A, or another approach, is the best fit for your body.
🧠 Final Thoughts: Personalized Mitochondrial Care Is Key
Your energy, recovery, and longevity all start at the cellular level. Urolithin A is one of the most exciting compounds to support mitochondria, but the best results come when it’s part of a personalized health strategy based on your own mitochondrial function.
So before you jump on the supplement train, consider getting tested with mescreen™. Because when it comes to your mitochondria, one size definitely does not fit all.
📚 References
- Selma, M. V., Espín, J. C., & Tomás-Barberán, F. A. (2014). Interaction between phenolics and gut microbiota: role in human health. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 62(45), 10658-10670. Link
- Bratic, A., & Larsson, N.-G. (2013). The role of mitochondria in aging. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 123(3), 951–957. Link
- Ryu, D., et al. (2016). Urolithin A induces mitophagy and prolongs lifespan in C. elegans and increases muscle function in rodents. Nature Medicine, 22(8), 879-888. Link
- Andreux, P. A., et al. (2019). The mitophagy activator urolithin A is safe and induces a molecular signature of improved mitochondrial and cellular health in humans. Nature Metabolism, 1(6), 595-603. Link
- Ghosh, S., et al. (2022). Urolithin A improves mitochondrial and muscle function in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Nature Aging. Link