drtbear1967
Musclechemistry Board Certified Member
New and exciting research in the never-ending battle on obesity. This study has identified a new enzyme, PM20D1, that is enriched in UCP-1(uncoupling protein1). UCP-1 is a protein responsible for generating heat(thermogenesis) which decreases the proton gradient(energy)needed to make ATP. The really cool part is that PM20D1 makes N-acyl amino acids(amino acids combined with a fatty acid), which can activate UCP-1, therefore acting as a new source of fat burning via uncoupling. Uncoupling basically means your body is losing energy that normally makes ATP and the response is breaking down fat to generate the energy needed to keep producing ATP(so you don't die).
DNP is the poster child for uncoupling and is known for burning up to a pound a day of pure fat, but it's very toxic. These N-acyl amino acids also have been shown in mice to improve glucose metabolism and increase total energy expenditure. More human data is needed, but essentially it's possible that supplementing with N-acyl aminos might be novel way to burn fat safely via uncoupling, as they are endogenously produced. For more info on uncoupling
DNP is the poster child for uncoupling and is known for burning up to a pound a day of pure fat, but it's very toxic. These N-acyl amino acids also have been shown in mice to improve glucose metabolism and increase total energy expenditure. More human data is needed, but essentially it's possible that supplementing with N-acyl aminos might be novel way to burn fat safely via uncoupling, as they are endogenously produced. For more info on uncoupling