Urolithin A

Silver· human data

A pomegranate-derived mitophagy compound with early but genuine human muscle data.

Urolithin A is a compound the gut makes from pomegranate and berry polyphenols — but only in some people, depending on their microbiome, which is why it is taken directly as a supplement.

It promotes mitophagy (clearing damaged mitochondria), and unusually for this category has a few reasonable human trials suggesting improvements in muscle endurance and mitochondrial markers in older or less active adults. Promising and better-evidenced than most 'longevity' compounds, though still early.

Sources

Written and reviewed by Mathew Beale, MSc Biotechnology, University of Reading.

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