Plant-based biotech synthesizes a cellular master molecule
What is Mevalonic Acid?
Skin that looks and feels heathy reflects strong cellular health and Mevalonic Acid is an essential molecule that is a key marker of healthy cells. This multi-potent master molecule regulates cellular metabolism and is a basic chemical building block that cells transform into even more complex molecular structures like lipids and hormones. Because skin cells rely on Mevalonic Acid to produce CoQ10, squalene and skin lipids—all elements that are critical to skin repair and renewal—scientists believe that Mevalonic Acid is a promising avenue for topical skincare.
How does Mevalonic Acid work?
From a biochemical perspective, life is a series of complex chemical reactions that take place on a cellular level in accordance with each cell’s genetic code. Each cell contains DNA that encodes RNA, a molecular message that broadcasts instructions to the cell—essentially defining its role in supporting the health of the larger organism. For a skin cell, if the coding of a cell’s DNA tells it to produce collagen or antioxidant CoQ10, Mevalonic Acid boosts the RNA’s broadcast “signal” to help focus the cell’s manufacturing machinery on collagen or CoQ10 production. Mevalonic Acid also is part of the chemistry that enables mitochondria within each cell to provide it with ready access to the energy it needs to survive and be productive.
How Does Cellular Health Affect Skin Aging?
As the body ages, especially when challenged by disease, injury and chronic environmental assaults, cellular health declines. The mitochondrial theory of aging suggests that as the rate and reliability of cellular repair and replacement declines, mitochondria are less efficient at creating energy. This overall decline in cellular health is a challenge for every system in the body. For the integumentary system, the organ that envelopes the body (skin, hair and nails), cellular decline means diminishing levels of collagen, CoQ10, squalene and skin lipids—all elements that are abundant in young skin. The wrinkles, dryness, lack of resilience, irregular pigmentation and overall fragility that are the hallmarks of aging skin can all be traced back to declining cellular health.