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Fork U with Dr. Terry SimpsonLearn more about what you put in your mouth. Author: Terry Simpson
Fork U(niversity) Not everything you put in your mouth is good for you. Theres a lot of medical information thrown around out there. How are you to know what information you can trust, and whats just plain old quackery? You cant rely on your own google fu. You cant count on quality medical advice from Facebook. You need a doctor in your corner. On each episode of Your Doctors Orders, Dr. Terry Simpson will cut through the clutter and noise that always seems to follow the latest medical news. He has the unique perspective of a surgeon who has spent years doing molecular virology research and as a skeptic with academic credentials. Hell help you develop the critical thinking skills so you can recognize evidence-based medicine, busting myths along the way. The most common medical myths are often disguised as seemingly harmless food as medicine. By offering their own brand of medicine via foods, These hucksters are trying to practice medicine without a license. And though theyll claim nutrition is not taught in medical schools, it turns out thats a myth too. In fact, theres an entire medical subspecialty called Culinary Medicine, and Dr. Simpson is certified as a Culinary Medicine Specialist. Where today's nutritional advice is the realm of hucksters, Dr. Simpson is taking it back to the realm of science. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Medicine, Nutrition Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Urolithin A - Mitochondrial Miracle in the Petri Dish
Episode 102
Wednesday, 12 November, 2025
Urolithin A: What It Is, How It Works, and Why Your Gut Decides EverythingBy Dr. Terry SimpsonMost people hear the name Urolithin A and think it belongs in a commercial about prostate health. It sounds like something a man named “Gary, 62,” would talk about while fishing. But Urolithin A has nothing to do with plumbing. Instead, it sits at the center of a new wave of longevity science focused on how our cells clean up old, broken parts.As we age, our mitochondria—the tiny power centers inside our cells—start to slow down. They build up damage and stop working well. Eventually, this pile-up makes us lose strength and energy. That’s where Urolithin A comes in. It helps switch back on a process called mitophagy, which is basically the cell’s recycling program for old mitochondria.Where Urolithin A Really Comes FromYou cannot eat Urolithin A directly. Instead, your body makes it when your gut bacteria break down special plant compounds called ellagitannins. These are found in foods like:pomegranateswalnutsberriesgreen tea (yes, really)Green tea is usually known for its catechins, but it also contains ellagitannins like strictinin. After you drink it, your gut bacteria break these tannins apart and create ellagic acid, which can later turn into Urolithin A.However, this only works if you have the right microbes. And here’s the surprising part:Most people do not.Studies show that only 12% to 40% of adults naturally produce Urolithin A from food. Everyone else makes little to none because their gut bacteria simply aren’t built for the job.How Your Gut Decides EverythingYour microbiome—the community of bacteria living in your digestive system—decides whether you make Urolithin A or not.People who produce Urolithin A usually have:more diverse gut microbesspecial bacteria like Enterocloster and Gordonibacterthe right genes inside those microbes to do the chemical conversionPeople who don’t produce it (called “metabotype zero”) lack those bacteria or the gene pathways needed. Eating more pomegranates or drinking more green tea does not fix this. No diet, including keto or Mediterranean, has been shown to turn a non-producer into a producer.This is why two people can eat the same food, and only one makes Urolithin A.What Urolithin A Does in HumansIn older adults, researchers have tested Urolithin A supplements for up to 4 months. These studies show several encouraging results:muscle endurance improvesinflammation markers decreasemitochondrial health markers look betterEven so, there are limits. Trials show no meaningful improvement in:walking distanceATP (cellular energy) productionoverall physical functionSo the biology looks better, but major clinical outcomes have not changed.What Happens in the Lab (But Not Yet in Humans)Scientists also study Urolithin A in senescent cells—cells that have stopped dividing but still cause inflammation. In the lab, Urolithin A can:reduce senescence markerscalm inflammatory signalsrestore mitophagyimprove oxidative stresseven strengthen circadian rhythms inside aging cellsAll of this sounds exciting. However, these findings are from cell culture, not humans. They give us clues, not guarantees.Food vs SupplementsYou
