Celery seed extract can slow down age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, according to scientists who published their study in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
In experiments on mice, researchers found that adding celery seed extract improved muscle mass, grip strength, and muscle fiber structure in both older animals and mice with obesity. At the same time, the accumulation of fat, triglycerides, and cholesterol decreased in the muscles. Scientists consider this lipid build-up to be one of the factors in the development of sarcopenia, which is age-related loss of muscle tissue.
Cellular mechanisms and prevention
The study authors also discovered that the extract activated mitochondria, the cellular energy producers, while reducing inflammation and suppressing processes that lead to the breakdown of muscle proteins. Furthermore, it stimulated biological mechanisms responsible for the growth and recovery of muscle tissue.
According to the researchers, fat accumulation inside muscles plays an important role in age-related weakening, and targeting this process could become a promising strategy for preventing sarcopenia. Separately, previous research indicated that compounds from broccoli could be useful in treating Friedreich's ataxia.
