How Sirtuins are Activated in the Body

If you appreciate the importance of maintaining NAD+ levels to retain your physical health as you age, then it is relevant to understand more about the role of sirtuins in the body. In recent years there has been growing interest around sirtuins and their links to lifespan. Research has shown that they are essential to many longevity pathways within the cell and they are a key part of any anti-aging strategy.

So, the next question you may have is how can I activate my sirtuins? Well this article will breakdown the key methods of sirtuin activation that you can implement.

Calorie Restriction Activates Sirtuins via AMPK

One of the main mechanisms to activate sirtuins is via calorie restriction. Sirtuins are involved in key pathways which regulate metabolism and control energy production. Of all the sirtuins SIRT1 and SIRT3 are the most studied in relation to metabolism and calorie restriction.

So, what happens in the body during calorie restriction? Well, calorie restriction decreases insulin levels, this signals to a protein called AMPK an energy sensor, that energy production needs to increase. To enhance energy production AMPK increases NAD+ levels which then activate sirtuins. Sirtuin activation is particularly high in the brain, kidneys, liver, fat cells, and muscle. In these tissues, sirtuins cause the breakdown of fat as an energy source. This is in addition to stimulating mitochondrial activity, ensuring the cells produce all the energy they need.

Intermittent fasting has the same effect on sirtuin activation without having to reduce your calorie intake, by simply changing the times at which you eat. The fasting periods activate these same pathways as NAD+ levels increase during periods of low nutrient availability. This influx of NAD+ causes sirtuin activation leading to the same beneficial effects.

Resveratrol Mimics the Effects of Calorie Restriction

Resveratrol is a compound of the polyphenol family. This family of micronutrients are obtained from our diet and are potent antioxidants. They therefore have great health benefits. The good news is resveratrol is found in many foods including peanuts, grapes, wine, blueberries, cranberries, and dark chocolate.

To appreciate the effects of resveratrol we must understand how it works. Resveratrol mimics the actions of calorie restriction activating the same pathways involving AMPK, NAD+ and SIRT1 to increase energy production and fat breakdown.

Recently the Sirtfood diet has grown in popularity, due to the benefits of activating sirtuins. The diet consists of foods that contain high levels of resveratrol and therefore increase sirtuin levels.

So, to ensure sirtuin activation within our cells we need to increase and maintain levels of NAD+ as we age. That’s because NAD+ levels decrease by 50% every 20 years, and sirtuin activation decreases in parallel. But the biology to restoring the cell’s ability to effectively make and recycle NAD+ and activate sirtuins involves multiple pathways and enzymes. This means it is important to consider the system as a whole – including the role of fasting.