10073883Proof of concept study of a highly novel food fortification to boost exercise performance in younger and older adultsClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKA vital function of every cell in our bodies is the process of metabolism. For our cells and bodies to function, they need access to an energy carrying molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Sadly as we age our body's ability to produce sufficient ATP declines and our physical and mental wellbeing declines in parallel. One way to offset this decline is to develop effective food supplements that maintain cell metabolism (i.e. our cells' access to energy). We are developing a food supplement called Mitocholine(tm), the supplement includes three natural compounds that, when taken orally, become available to the cells to keep them energised and functional. Mitocholine(tm) has the potential to help the cells in our brain function more effectively. The Mitocholine team is currently testing this supplement in older people to see if it helps improve how their brain works and reduce the memory loss issues. This study is not yet complete, but early results show a potential positive benefit to brain health in the elderly. Mitocholine now has the potential to develop a variant of Mitocholine(tm) that is suitable to put in foods as a supplement to support the cells in our muscles and support improved ability to exercise and boost physical energy levels. This concept is important because Western diets are known to be low in key components in the Mitocholine(tm) supplement. This insufficiency is particularly challenging for pregnant women. Mitocholine(tm) has the potential to address this deficiency in our diets while also supporting physical and mental wellbeing. The aim of the proposed project is to understand if a Mitocholine(tm) containing food additive, by providing additional fuel to our muscle cells, will enhance aerobic fitness and exercise performance. This proposed research will investigate how effectively young and older adults can exercise after taking Mitocholine(tm) food additive compared to a placebo. Mitocholine will work closely with expert sports scientists at the University of Exeter to test volunteers' capacity to perform different types of exercise after taking the food supplement. If Mitocholine is able to demonstrate that the supplement works, it will be able to secure commercial sales of the supplement to specialist food producers globally.