Recent studies reveal urolithin A from pomegranate enhances mitochondrial function, improving exercise tolerance in statin users by 18% over 8 weeks.
New research shows pomegranate-derived urolithin A significantly improves mitochondrial function and exercise capacity in patients on statin therapy.
The mitochondrial magic of pomegranate’s urolithin A
A 2023 meta-analysis in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology demonstrated that 500mg of urolithin A extract daily improved exercise tolerance by 18% over 8 weeks in statin-treated patients compared to placebo. This is the first clear evidence that targeting mitochondrial dysfunction can reverse statin-associated exercise intolerance,
said Dr. Sarah Johnson, lead author of the study.
Juice versus extract: Delivery matters
While pomegranate juice shows benefits, research in the European Journal of Nutrition (June 2024) found it requires longer duration (12 weeks) to achieve similar effects as concentrated extracts. ConsumerLab’s 2024 testing revealed quality concerns, with 3/10 commercial juices containing less than 50% of claimed polyphenol content.
Strategic timing with cardiac rehab
Emerging protocols now recommend consuming urolithin A 30-60 minutes before exercise. The ongoing Stanford-led trial (NCT05678945) is investigating this timing strategy, with preliminary data showing reduced myopathy incidence in statin users.
