"Energy is the greatest anti-aging force there is. The more energy your cells have, the slower they age," Crayhon states. The older a person gets, the more the aging process accelerates. Why?  According to Crayhon, the main cause of the accelerating degenerative spiral is the ever-increasing energy insufficiency at the cellular level. As we age, our energy-producing system deteriorates. What follows is the vicious circle of energy insufficiency leading to various diseases, and disease leading to even less energy production and thus ever more degeneration. Less energy means poorer physiological function and a "slowing down," whether we look at physical or mental performance. The elderly are the very picture of this "energy crisis" of aging.

Why are the anti-aging effects of carnitine so profound and manifold?  Crayhon's answer is simple. "If you give your cells the ability to make optimal levels of energy, they can use it to do whatever they want: build and renew cell membranes, create and maintain cell structures, and replicate and protect cell information." Our immune function depends on adequate energy production, as does tissue maintenance such as bone building and muscle building. In fact it's impossible to think of any physiological function that is not linked in some way to our energy supply.

"The most important healing element in your body is energy," Crayhon believes. Cells supplied with abundant energy are free of disease. Thus, the first step toward greater health and rejuvenation should be energizing your cells so they can better perform their various functions, as well as protect themselves against free radicals and various pathogens. The field of bioenergetics has emerged as extraordinarily important for our understanding of the aging process. Consequently, Crayhon regards carnitine and acetyl-l-carnitine as premier anti-aging nutrients.

We need much more carnitine as we grow older, Crayhon repeatedly points out. One reason is that as circulation declines with age, so does oxygen supply to the cells. Part of the "carnitine miracle" is that it allows cells to function well even under conditions of decreased oxygen.

Another part is that carnitine enhances the immune function. As we have already mentioned, cells that have more ATP (that is, more energy) can better defend themselves against bacteria and viruses. Carnitine also increases the number of immune cells. In addition, it helps prevent muscle loss during serious illness, thus protecting the body's pool of amino acids, essential for the synthesis of various immune substances. Carnitine also enhances liver function, which clearly benefits the entire body.

Orally administered ATP expands ATP in the liver, red blood cells, blood plasma, and organs. Supplemental ATP improves blood vessel tone and relaxes blood vessel walls, increasing blood flow to the lungs, heart, and peripheral areas without affecting heart rate or blood pressure.

Recent studies show that arterial and vein diameter is regulated by red blood cells sensing low blood oxygen levels. The red blood cells then release ATP, which produces endothelial vasodilation, or widening of the arteries. This mechanism of artery widening has been demonstrated in studies involving various species and tissues.  Thus, red blood cells use ATP to help meet local tissue oxygen needs. Ensuring adequate red blood cell pools of ATP to help regulate vascular tone is now seen as critical to maintaining circulatory health. 

Recent studies show that arterial and vein diameter is regulated by red blood cells sensing low blood oxygen levels. The red blood cells then release ATP, which produces endothelial vasodilation, or widening of the arteries. This mechanism of artery widening has been demonstrated in studies involving various species and tissues.  Thus, red blood cells use ATP to help meet local tissue oxygen needs. Ensuring adequate red blood cell pools of ATP to help regulate vascular tone is now seen as critical to maintaining circulatory health.