“Aging like a fine wine”- we all are familiar with this metaphor, right? Aging is a natural biological process that is controlled by various factors like genetics, lifestyle, environmental factors, etc. We all want to age gracefully. Different nutritional compounds work differently on the body to promote overall health and longevity which makes this aging process beautiful. For leading a healthy life nowadays people are taking help from AI like Longevity AI. It is an advanced chatbot that answers all your queries about longevity, anti-aging medicine, nutrition, etc. Pterostilbene is such a compound. This compound is claimed to support healthy aging. Along with this, it has diversified properties that promote healthy cells of the body. The following discussion will revolve around various prospects of Pterostilbene in detail.
What is Pterostilbene?
Pterostilbene or chemically known as trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxystilbene is a polyphenol that is naturally found in fruits, vegetables and nuts. In 1977, Langcake and Pryce discovered this compound with its potential health benefits. It is the principal antioxidant component found in blueberries. Also, it has a defensive antimicrobial role. Pterostilbene belongs to the class of stilbenes that is considered to have an important role in controlling the aging process.
Potential Pterostilbene benefits and how it affects aging
Impact on cardiovascular health
Recent study on pterostilbene has shown that it has a protective role against atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition where fatty plaque fills up the inner lining of the artery and obstructs the normal blood flow in the heart. Pterostilbene here improves the aspects of autophagy and helps to neutralize the pro-atherosclerosis effect of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) on vascular endothelial cells. In this way, this compound acts as a positive factor in improving cardiovascular health.
Effective role in brain health
Pterostilbene is a nutrient that prevents prolonged inflammatory response in the brain. It also reduces oxidative stress and the effect of aging on the brain. Different study results state that this compound has the potential to fight neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
Role in reducing oxidative stress
Pterostilbene increases the rate of response of powerful antioxidant enzymes in cells, like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. Antioxidants can work to reduce oxidative stress. It is better to upregulate the body’s own internal antioxidant defense mechanisms for longevity than taking antioxidant supplements orally. Also, antioxidants work to minimize the damage caused by free radicals. In this way, these compounds can contribute to slowing down the aging process.
Anti-inflammatory properties of Pterostilbene
Pterostilbene is known to reduce inflammaging which means aging-related inflammation. Inflammation occurs in the body due to various reasons and negatively impacts our body. Pterostilbene can inhibit the COX (cyclooxygenase) enzymes that give rise to inflammatory compounds. Also, it can suppress a protein complex named NF-Kb that regulates the transcription of DNA, cytokine production and cell survival. Along with this, pterostilbene can reduce the serum levels of inflammatory TNF-a, IL-1b, and NF-kB. As a result, it is considered effective in treating severe acute pancreatitis.
Role as an autophagy inducer
During cellular respiration and other metabolic processes, cellular waste gets accumulated in the cell. Autophagy is the process that clears up such waste materials. In the process of aging, autophagy is reduced. Pterostilbene here works as an autophagy inducer that activates energy sensors in a cell named AMPK. AMPK or AMP-activated protein kinase is basically a regulator of cellular energy homeostasis. This AMPK inhibits the mTOR which is a strong inhibitor of autophagy. As a result, the autophagy process does not slow down with age and takes place in the cell as usual. Also, the activation of AMPK has a number of other positive effects on metabolism. In studies, it has shown proof of influencing the lifespan of mice that were given metformin.
Pterostilbene increases the level of sirtuins
Sirtuins is renowned for its pro-longevity effects in dietary restriction experiments of various animal species. Sirtuins not only works to adjust cellular metabolism rate but also regulates many metabolic functions like DNA repair, genomic stability, inflammatory response, apoptosis, cell cycle, and mitochondrial functions etc. Pterostilbene increases the level of these sirtuins in the body. As a result, it increases lifespan and healthspan.
Pterostilbene side effects
Pterostilbene has not yet shown any adverse effects up to a dose of 250 mg per day. As this compound is normally found in food, the dietary level is considered safe for use till now. However, there is a chance of experiencing increased LDL cholesterol when using it.
Final Words
Pterostilbene is a crucial element that impacts the cellular environment of our body. It helps in controlling the natural cell damage in our body that occurs with time. If you decide to take a pterostilbene supplement other than the pterostilbene-rich foods, you need to consult a health care provider or dietitian. If you experience any side effects, stop taking it immediately and consult your doctor as soon as possible. Also, only taking supplements will not work to gain a healthy life. You need to integrate other aspects of balanced life to slow down the aging process.
FAQs
Which one is better: resveratrol or Pterostilbene?
Pterostilbene has shown 80% bioavailability in animal studies whereas resveratrol has shown 20% bioavailability. That is why pterostilbene has a higher rate of lipophilic and oral absorption. Also, pterostilbene remains in the body for a longer period whereas resveratrol circulates in the body for a short period. The half life of resveratrol is 14 minutes which means it excretes from the body after just 14 minutes of intake. This data shows that pterostilbene is supposed to be the better choice but significantly less research has been done on pterostilbene than resveratrol so far.
Do Pterostilbene supplements work?
Pterostilbene has shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic properties in different studies. These properties are crucial for maintaining healthy cells. The prescribed amount of this supplement is supposed to contribute to the betterment of overall health.
What foods are high in pterostilbene?
Blueberries are significantly pterostilbene-rich. The range of this compound varies between 99 ng to 520 ng per blueberry. Some pterostilbene-rich foods are almonds, grape leaves, vines, cranberries, bilberries, huckleberries etc. On the other hand, the supplement dosage of pterostilbene ranges from 50 mg to 1000 mg per capsule.
