22 Ways to Naturally Boost Energy & More with PGC-1alpha

PGC-1a is critical to proper mitochondrial function. If you’ve got mitochondrial problems, this post is a must.

Do You Have Low PGC-1a?

If you answer yes to these, then that may indicate low PGC-1a:

• Do you get tired often?
• Do you have a low metabolism?
• Do you lack energy in the day?
• Do you have a disturbed circadian rhythm?
• Do you have chronic inflammation?

Simple Summary

PGC-1a is one of the most important factors in controlling mitochondrial health. It’s also important for circadian rhythms, energy metabolism, fat metabolism, weight loss, blood pressure, cholesterol homeostasis and indirectly can help detoxing and drug metabolism.

PGC-1a protects against neurodegenerative diseases, decreases inflammation [1] and insulin resistance.

Intro to PGC-1a

PGC-1a is one of the most important factors in controlling mitochondrial health. PGC-1α makes new mitochondria and improves its function.

PGC-1α increases energy metabolism and weight loss.

This protein may be also involved in controlling blood pressure, regulating cellular cholesterol homeostasis, and the development of obesity.

PGC-1a protects against neurodegenerative diseases.

PGC-1α decreases inflammation [1] and insulin resistance.

PGC-1a increases fatty acid burning by increasing the carnitine genes (CPT1A [2]).

PGC-1a increases Nrf2 [3], which is important for detoxing.

PGC-1a increases PXR [4], which plays an integral role in drug/toxin metabolism by regulating the expression of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters.

PGC-1 alpha stimulates the expression of clock genes, notably Bmal1 and Rev-erb alpha [5].

Mice lacking PGC-1 alpha show abnormal circadian rhythms, body temperature, and metabolic rate [5].

Increasing PGC-1a helps mitigate symptoms of genetic muscle disorders in animal models [6].

How to Increase PGC-1a

Lifestyle

1. Exercise [7]
2. Cold [8]
3. Ketosis (9)
4. Fasting/Calorie Restriction
5. Massage [1]
6. Sun/Nitric oxide [10, 11]

Nutrients:

1. Calcium [12]

Supplements:

1. PQQ [13]
2. Hydroxytyrosol [14]
3. Resveratrol [15]
4. Nicotinamide Riboside [16]
5. EGCG/Tea [17]
6. Gotu Kola [18]
7. Grape Seed Extract [19]
8. R-Lipoic Acid [20]
9. Epimedium [21] and Icariin [22]
10. Carnitine [23]
11. Rhodiola/Salidrosides [24]
12. Aspirin [25]
13. Quercetin [26]
14. Forskolin/Cyclic AMP [27]
15. Red yeast rice [28]

Hormones/Neurotransmitters:

• T3 (thyroid hormones)
• Serotonin

Pathways

I’ve already discussed some common pathways to activate PGC-1a. This means that if you activate these, it will help activate PGC-1a.

• AMPK
• SIRT1 [29, 30]
• mTOR Inhibitors [31]
• Other: CREB [32], NOS [33], p38MAPK [33],

http://cardiovascres.oxfordjournals.org/content/73/1/10

What Decreases PGC-1a and Its Activity

• Bile [34]

PGC-1a SNPs

SelfDecode is the best gene analyzer around and helps you interpret your genetics.

1. RS2970869 (PGC-1A) CT
2. RS3774923 (PGC-1A) CC
3. RS7665116 (PGC-1A) CT
4. RS8192678 (PGC-1A) CT

If you want to interpret your genes, you should use SelfDecode.

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