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CEREFORT
Background
Mitochondria, the "powerhouses of the cell", are the primary source of metabolic energy derived from sugars and lipids in the form of ATP and play a central role in the synthesis of essential biomolecules such as steroid hormones. Many aspects of key cellular functions, calcium signalling, cell cycle control and coordinated cell death, depend on mitochondrial regulation. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that vitality, well-being and health depend on their proper functioning.
Mitochondrial activity and efficiency is known to decline during lifetime and is thought to be the component principally responsible for the ageing process. Lifestyle and environmental factors contribute to accumulating damage to mitochondria that over time exceeds the body's capacity for self-repair eventually resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, many disorders including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer occur with profound changes in mitochondrial function and metabolism.
Maintaining mitochondrial function helps people to enjoy an active life and longer lifespan and, with an appropriate life style, may reduce susceptibility towards certain diseases. Despite considerable effort invested and several products available on the market, there is still a lack of effective remedies to re-establish mitochondrial activity or to ameliorate mitochondrial dysfunction. This is caused in part by the fact that not all compounds bearing the potential to improve mitochondrial function are able to cross the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) to reach the brain's neurons – the cells most sensitive to oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Some years ago, it was discovered at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics that D-lactate can rescue the function of damaged mitochondria and prolongs survival of dopaminergic neurons 1). Dopaminergic neurons are those that play a role in Parkinson's disease. Bulgarian yoghurt, known for its unique health benefits, contains D-lactate, whereas most conventional yoghurts contain L-lactate.
1) Toyoda Y, Erkut C, Pan-Montojo F, et al. Products of the Parkinson's disease-related glyoxalase DJ-1, D-lactate and glycolate, support mitochondrial membrane potential and neuronal survival. Biol Open. 2014;3(8):777-784.
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