The common kitchen ingredient that could help keep muscles strong in old age
The common kitchen ingredient that could help keep muscles strong in old age
Vishwam SankaranFri, May 8, 2026 at 6:43 AM UTC
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A compound derived from aged garlic has been found to preserve muscle strength in old age, a discovery that underlines the anti-ageing potential of the common kitchen ingredient.
An ageing population with muscle frailty in older individuals has been increasing the healthcare burden worldwide. Scientists have been seeking potential drug candidates that could target aged tissues in the body and restore them to their younger forms.
A new study has found that S1PC, a compound found in aged garlic, promotes communication between fat tissue, muscles and the brain, ultimately enhancing muscle strength with age.
The finding could lead to potential new supplements for improving muscle frailty in aged individuals.
“We hope our findings will help improve fitness and muscle strength in older individuals by the simple inclusion of a nutraceutical as part of the daily diet,” Kiyoshi Yoshioka, an author of the study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, said.
Students chop garlic as they prepare a pasta dish (Getty)
In the study, researchers found that S1PCtriggered a cascade of changes in mice that led to fat tissues secreting the enzyme eNAMPT.
This enzyme promotes production of NAD+ in muscle tissues, an essential molecule involved in cell protection, DNA repair, and energy production.
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The eNAMPT enzyme also travels through the bloodstream and acts on the brain’s hypothalamus, contributing to improved muscle function.
“Our findings present a previously unrecognised and unique function of S1PC,” Shin-ichiro Imai, another author of the study, said.
Through its actions, scientists say S1PC promotes inter-organ communication that “ameliorates muscle frailty”.
“We anticipate that S1PC is likely to have a broader anti-ageing effect that warrants detailed investigation,” they said.
Long-term administration of S1PC to mice reduced their frailty scores and increased skeletal muscle force, the study found.
Aged garlic is part of several traditional medicine systems, consumed for generations with no reports of adverse events, suggesting a favourable safety profile, scientists note.
“We have succeeded in expanding the current understanding of how different organs coordinate responses during ageing,” Dr Imai said.
“Further research is needed to determine improvements in muscle function in humans and to evaluate the long-term effects of S1PC. The presence and possible role of LKB1 in the brain also needs evaluation.”
Source: “AOL Breaking”
