AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside), also referred to as ZMP, is a peptide and an analogue of AMP. It is a substance produced naturally by the body that stimulates AMP-dependent kinase activity, a protein that regulates metabolism. Currently, scientists are investigating AICAR’s therapeutic properties to treat various metabolic disorders through preclinical research.
Aicar is a short peptide that plays a vital role in metabolic pathways and energy homeostasis. It also regulates insulin receptors and enhances muscle cell function with respects to insulin.
According to studies, aicar peptide hormone offers cancer-fighting properties and cardiovascular-protective properties. It also plays a role in preventing the early stages of blood clotting. For this reason, scientists are keen to continue investigating this protein.
In the 1980s, medical professionals sometimes used aicar for preserving the heart’s blood flow. Researchers also found that the peptide aicar shows promise as a diabetes treatment due to its ability of increasing the tissues’ metabolic capability. It does this by modifying muscle composition in the body.
How Aicar Works
Clinical studies show that aicar makes energy more available in the body. It increases the usage of fat for energy and enables cells to produce more mitochondria – the body’s cells’ energy creators. In short, aicar peptide ensure the tissues in the body do not run out of energy. Aicar is involved in many metabolic pathways of the mice body. Researchers believe it can also help in the treatment of several diseases in mice, including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
Benefits of Aicar
Muscle Building Properties
One of aicar’s effects include increasing muscle mass in the body. It is vital not only for increasing muscle growth, but for maintaining muscle mass. In addition, it can prevent muscle loss with aging as tests showed.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Recent clinical trials show that aicar plays a vital role in inflammation at the cellular level. aicar has similar effects to metformin, a long-used diabetes medication which is effective largely due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
Aicar plays a protective role in inflammatory conditions like asthma, colitis, hepatitis, and atherosclerosis. Studies in mice, for instance, indicate that aciar could reduce the inflammation in colitis.
Scientists also say aicar can mediate the effects of autoimmune diseases and various other inflammatory conditions.
Heart Disease Prevention
Heart disease is commonly related to inflammation. Because aicar anti-inflammatory effects are so potent, it can help reduce the progression of vascular diseases.
The study also indicates that aicar activation supresses immune responses that cause atherosclerosis. It is the build-up of bad cholesterol (LDL) that leads to macrophage proliferation, which can eventually lead to heart attack. aicar can mitigate the proliferation and potentially reduce both heart disease and heart attacks as research showed.
Cancer Cell Death
Aicar hormone peptide plays a complex role in the growth of cancer. According to research, it can both slow down and accelerate the growth of tumors, depending on the circumstances.
Prolonged activation of the AMPK enzyme leads to the death of cancer cells by decelerating cancer cell metabolism.
Scientists are also investigating aicar in conjunction with other chemotherapeutic agents to improve its success. They believe aicar could reduce side effects.
Studies in thyroid cancer cells suggest that aicar could also cause programmed cell death through the induction of p21 accumulation.
Overall, researchers are convinced aicar can inhibit cancer cell proliferation and survival.
• It reduces body fat at a rapid rate
• It has minimal effect on blood sugar
• It stimulates lipolysis
• It facilitates the repair of cartilage
• It has a powerful efficacy in the treatment of osteoarthritis
• It has favourable regenerative properties
• It prevents the transformation of non-fatty food into fat in a process called lipogenesis
• It helps to treat obesity
• Helps to improve muscle tone
• Imitates the way natural growth hormone regulates fat metabolism
• Mobilizes stored energy during fasting or exercise
• Reduces abdominal fat
• Possesses regenerative and anti-aging properties associated with growth hormone
• The peptide does not have any major side effects
• Will not cause hyperglycaemic reaction with poor diet
• An increase in appetite
• Helping in fat burning
• Better power performance
• Protection of the liver and other organs
• Anti-inflammatory action
• Increased muscle growth
• Enhanced muscle repair and recovery
• Strengthening of the immune system
• Improved mood and wellbeing
• Increased bone density
• Anti-aging properties
• Improvement of blood circulation in the body.
• An increase of muscle mass in the body that leads to weight gain.
• Leads to low levels of cholesterol in the body.
• Cause improvement in bone strength.
• Enhanced protection against the aging factors.
• Decreased body fat
• Increased lean muscle mass
• Boosted repair and recovery from exercise
• Potent anti-aging properties improving the appearance of skin, hair and nails
• Minimal impact on cortisol levels.
• Improved sleep pattern
• Helps regulate energy
• Protects against obesity
• Helps with weight loss
• Improves exercise capacity
• Improves glucose regulation
• Improves metabolism
• Improved overall health and wellness
• improvement of learning and memory processes
• increased sensory attention
• increased mental clarity
• anti-anxiety – inhibition of anxiety
• antiviral activity with no negative effects
• stabilization of mood and overall feeling of wellbeing
• increased curiosity