Impact of the Natural Compound Urolithin A on Health

What is Urolithin A?

Urolithin A is a metabolite compound resulting from the transformation of ellagitannins by the gut bacteria. It belongs to the class of organic compounds known as benzo-coumarins or dibenzo-α-pyrones. Its precursors – ellagic acids and ellagitannins – are ubiquitous in nature, including edible plants, such as pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries, walnuts, and others.

Urolithin A is not known to be found in any food source. Its bioavailability mostly depends on individual microbiota composition, as only some bacteria are able to convert ellagitannins into urolithins.

Urolithin A Sources

Urolithin A is not actually found in any natural food sources that can be consumed. The precursors of urolithin A are called polyphenols which are abundantly found in vegetables and fruits.

When humans eat polyphenols, some of them are absorbed directly into the small intestine. The rest of the polyphenols are degraded in the digestive system by bacteria into a range of compounds. Some of these compounds are helpful for the human body, one such compound being Urolithin A.

Urolithin are a class of compounds that are still widely under investigation, but two of the members of this class, urolithin A and B are well studied. Among these, urolithin A is the most widely researched type in humans.

Ellagitannins and ellagic acid are the polyphenols that make urolithin A. These polyphenols are found in a range of food sources, including the following:

• Oaken barrel-aged spirits and wines

• Brewed Tea

• Pecans

• Pistachios

• Chestnuts

• Walnuts

• Camu-Camu

• Blackberries

• Strawberries

• Pomegranate

When you consume ellagitannins and ellagic acids from these food sources, your body makes urolithin A if your stomach has the right biome for urolithin A production.

Benefits of urolithin A

Quickly running through the advantages of urolithin A on aging, muscle endurance and gut health, it :

1. Boosts longevity for the whole organism (C. elegans)

2. Improves healthspan

3. Upgrades muscle endurance

4. Increases muscle strength

5. Lowers age-related muscle dysfunction

6. Decreases myocardium dysfunction

7. Enhances brain neuroprotection

8. Lowers brain protein aggregates

9. Diminishes joint cartilage degeneration

10. Improves gut barrier integrity

11. Glucose intolerance in the liver and pancreas

Urolithin A and the gut microbiome

Gut health usually concerns health and longevity. The gut’s role to skilfully process food is just one of its numerous roles . There is increasing evidence that a healthy gut microbiome is critical for mental health and an effective immune system.

From the esophagus to the bowel, gut health is accountable for the health of the whole digestive system – the parts of our body responsible for breaking down food into diverse nutrients used to power our bodies. Every piece of the gut has a particular task, and different colonies of microorganisms break down food into more digestible structures. 

It demands commitment and conscious effort to sustain gut health. Our everyday decisions, even straightforward ones like choosing what food to consume, can affect overall health and wellbeing. Your gut bacteria are critical for many facets of health.

Numerous studies have shown that a disrupted microbiome can lead to multiple chronic conditions. The most valuable way to improve and maintain a healthy microbiome is to consume a range of fresh, whole foods, notably from plant sources like beans, fruits, legumes and vegetables.

Muscle recovery and age-related fatigue

Diving into muscle recovery, it is known that rest is a vital aspect of daily bodily functions, aside from caring for your gut health. As we grow older, we get tired faster and have less energy. Although it seems universally acknowledged, it doesn’t have to stay this way.

Don’t neglect muscle recovery through daily physical exercises or sports for leisure or professional pursuits. Aside from diet and good lifestyle practices, supplements are one way to support the body’s healing function. This way, you can also do more of the physical activities you love.

What is the ideal dosage of urolithin A?

The Mitopure supplements carry 500mg of highly pure urolithin A, providing six times the amount of urolithin A available from diet alone .

It is specifically effective as the calculated dosage of Mitopure gives urolithin A and triggers mitophagy in the body whether or not considering people’s microbiome or diet. Designed to be taken every day, the supplement from Timeline Nutrition is available in powder and soft-gel forms and can be mixed in your smoothie or yoghurt.

While the supplement is not aimed to replace a healthy diet or regular exercise, urolithin A supplements like Mitopure are a convenient and practical way to elevate mitochondrial health, muscular strength and energy, significantly benefitting older individuals.

In conclusion, urolithin A has great potential and is constantly being explored for its numerous health benefits. Aogubio's commitment to developing nutraceuticals, supplements and products for various industries using urolithin A underscores the company's commitment to harnessing the power of natural substances to improve human health. As research and understanding of urolithin A continues to evolve, it’s clear that powerful urolithin A holds great promise for the future of natural health.                                    

 Miranda Zhang