German Study Links Nutritional Compound to Slowing Cellular Aging

Researchers at the German Fritz Lipmann Institute announced the discovery of a new mechanism that could contribute to understanding cellular aging, after their study showed that declining levels of the compound phosphatidylcholine with age lead to deterioration of mitochondrial function.

The researchers used multiple models including worms, human tissue samples, and human cells, and observed a gradual decline in the production of this compound with age, which is a key component of the outer mitochondrial membranes.

The researchers noted that a deficiency of phosphatidylcholine leads to loss of membrane flexibility and mitochondrial fragmentation, causing an imbalance in energy distribution within the cell, a process likened by biologist Maria Yermolayeva to an electrical network deteriorating over time.

Research team leader Tatiana Polizaiva said that adding phosphatidylcholine or choline to the worms' diet restored mitochondria to a more active and flexible state, confirming that the effect was noticeable on mitochondrial structure and function. 'We were surprised by the magnitude of the impact this molecule had on mitochondrial structure and function.'

The study also revealed that low levels of the compound were more pronounced in individuals with diabetes and obesity, while higher levels were associated with improved markers of healthy aging such as walking speed and memory.

Sex differences in aging showed that the decline in phosphatidylcholine occurs gradually in men, while it accelerates in women as they approach menopause, which may explain the drop in their energy levels during this stage.

The researchers emphasized that deficiency of this compound is not the sole factor in mitochondrial aging, but it is one of the fundamental factors, noting that compensating for it through diet could contribute to slowing cellular aging.