Nutritional Supplement (NT Factor™) Restores Mitochondrial Function and Reduces Moderately Severe Fatigue in Aged Subjects

OBJECTIVE: Decreased mitochondrial function is a characteristic of aging and fatigue. Here we determined if mild to moderately severe fatigue in a group of aged subjects (mean age>60 years), as defined by the validated Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS), can be significantly improved by use of a glycophospholipid dietary supplement, NT Factor™ (NTF). In addition, we determined if mitochondrial function, as defined by transport of the redox dye Rhodamine-123, is reduced in aging subjects with mild to moderately severe fatigue, and if this can be reversed with NTF supplementation in concert with improvement in fatigue scores. METHODS: Participants who described a condition consistent with mild to moderately severe fatigue, as defined by the PFS, were examined by research nurse and completed a PFS survey form. The PFS rates fatigue from a score of 0 (no fatigue) to 10 (severe fatigue). Respondents who fulfilled the entry requirements were admitted to the study when their self-reported fatigue severity scores were rated as mild to moderately severe, and their fatigue could not be explained by an obvious clinical condition. Bloo