One from the bizarre dept: Nestl茅 claims to have a drink that can reverse the effects of ageing in both people and pets (WO 02/071874). The aim is to compensate for underperforming mitochondria, the tiny 鈥減owerhouses鈥� that live in most cells. As we age, the mitochondria suffer oxidative damage, causing physical damage to the body.
Starving in middle age may help 鈥� but that鈥檚 an unpopular idea. Nestl茅 says its new drink mimics the effect of starvation, without starving. Acetyl-L-carnitine, a substance that makes mitochondria produce more ATP (the fuel that powers cells), is mixed with a cocktail of antioxidants, plus a little rice carbohydrate and fish protein. Dogs fed this magic mix, 鈥渞estored age-related deficits鈥�, says Nestl茅. The patent even claims the drink has rejuvenating effects on people.
