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Aging of the body and various diseases often lead to muscle tissue atrophy. Patients recover more slowly, it is rather difficult for an athlete to return to duty after a long pause in his career. Where is the exit?
Having diagnosed more than 1000 various biologically active substances, scientists have come to the conclusion that it is ursolic acid that gets the palm in the fight against skeletal muscle atrophy.
Ursolic acid rich foods:
General characteristics of ursolic acid
Ursolic acid is a biological substance that actively affects the human body. In its natural form, ursolic acid is found in more than a hundred plants. It can be found in many berries, fruits, leaves, and other parts of plants.
In the literature you can find such names of ursolic acid as urson, prunol, and malol and some others.
Ursolic acid is produced industrially from plant materials (waste products from the production of aronia and lingonberry juices).
Daily requirement for ursolic acid
A good result was shown by the dosage of ursolic acid in the amount of 450 mg per day. That is, the recommended intake of ursolic acid for today is 150 mg three times a day. It is necessary to take acid with meals.
Christopher Adams, who studies the properties of ursolic acid at the University of Iowa (USA), believes that one apple a day will help keep us healthy and toned.
The need for ursolic acid increases:
- with a decrease in muscle tone (with age, during the period of acute and chronic diseases);
- with overweight;
- with diabetes and metabolic disorders;
- with active physical activity;
- dandruff and hair loss;
- with oncological diseases;
- with high cholesterol levels;
- with a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract;
- with vasoconstriction.
The need for ursolic acid is reduced:
- in violation of the adrenal glands;
- with an excessive content of sodium ions in the blood;
- with increased acidity of gastric juice;
- with reduced activity of the catabolic genes MuRF-1 and Atrogin-1, which are responsible for the destruction of muscle tissue.
Ursolic acid assimilation
The assimilation of ursolic acid is perhaps the only weak point of this beneficial substance. It is extremely poorly absorbed, although it has an effect whether it is consumed internally or externally.
Useful properties of ursolic acid and its effect on the body
Scientists are actively conducting research to identify the beneficial qualities of ursolic acid and the possibility of using them most effectively. Ursolic acid has a number of advantages that make it indispensable for our body. Its effect is similar to that of deoxycorticosterone (adrenal hormone). It retains chlorine and sodium ions, while not affecting potassium metabolism.
Ursolic acid blocks the development of a gene that promotes muscle wasting, while promoting muscle development. Also, ursolic acid helps to reduce body fat. It activates the growth of brown adipose tissue, while reducing the growth of white. This enables the body to spend first “reserves”, and then the calories received recently.
Recently, ursolic acid has been shown to inhibit the development of cancer cells. In some countries, it is even prescribed to prevent skin cancer.
One of the properties of ursolic acid is its ability to reduce estrogen without affecting testosterone production.
Some studies show that ursolic acid is a selective inhibitor of enzymes that raise cortisol levels, as well as aromatase.
In addition, ursolic acid, as a biological substance, contributes to the normalization of all vital processes in the human body. It monitors important indicators such as cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Ursolic acid is used to create healing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory drugs.
Interaction with other elements
Interacts with chlorine and sodium. In addition, it normalizes metabolism, facilitating the assimilation of substances in the body.
Signs of a lack of ursolic acid
- obesity;
- weakening of the skeletal muscles;
- metabolic disease;
- disruption of the digestive system.
Signs of excess ursolic acid
- excess muscle growth;
- violation of joint mobility (contractures);
- reduced level of fatty layer;
- increased insulin levels;
- infertility (suppression of spermatogenesis).
Factors affecting the content of ursolic acid in the body
To maintain normal levels of ursolic acid in the body, a complete diet, which includes foods containing it, is sufficient.
In recent years, scientists have been trying to create drugs that can effectively saturate the body with ursolic acid. While their effectiveness is not high enough.
Ursolic acid for beauty and health
Interest in ursolic acid and its use has grown recently, in connection with a number of studies that have discovered its tonic effect on human muscles.
So athletes began to actively use it to effectively increase muscle mass, overweight people – for weight loss.
In addition, in the cosmetic industry, ursolic acid is used to restore and tone the skin. It is used for the care of sensitive skin prone to redness. In addition, its ability to activate hair growth, eliminate dandruff and hide odors has been revealed.