The true fountain of youth

2011-04-03T03:03:00.000-07:00

February 17, 2011

LA JOLLA, CA—Substantial evidence suggests that lifespan is increased if an organism restricts its daily calorie intake, a spartan regime that some say works by just making life seem longer. A team of scientists from the Salk Institute of Biological Studies has discovered a molecular switch flipped by hunger that could not only make longevity more appetizing but identify drug targets for patients with aging-related diseases such as type II diabetes or cancer.

In the February 17, 2011 issue of Nature Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator Andrew Dillin, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute early career scientist Reuben Shaw, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory and the Dulbecco Laboratory for Cancer Research, report for the first time that deactivation of a protein called CRTC1 in roundworms increases their lifespan, most likely mediating the effects of calorie restriction.

Caloric restriction decreases ER stress in liver and adipose tissue

2011-03-04T02:16:00.000-08:00

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a crucial role in the development of insulin resistance and diabetes. Although caloric restriction (CR) improves obesity-related disorders, the effects of CR on ER stress in obesity remain unknown. To investigate how CR affects ER stress in obesity, ob/ob mice were assigned to either ad libitum (AL) (ob-AL) or CR (ob-CR) feeding (2 g food/day) for 1-4 weeks. The body weight (BW) of ob-CR mice decreased to the level of lean AL-fed littermates (lean-AL) within 2 weeks. BW of lean-AL and ob-CR mice was less than that of ob-AL mice. Ob-CR mice showed improved glucose tolerance and hepatic insulin action compared with ob-AL mice. Levels of ER stress markers such as phosphorylated PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α and the mRNA expression of activating transcription factor 4 were significantly higher in the liver and epididymal fat from ob-AL mice compared with lean-AL mice. CR for 2 and 4 weeks significantly reduced all of these markers to less than 35% and 50%, respectively, of the levels in ob-AL mice. CR also significantly reduced the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) in ob/ob mice. The CR-mediated decrease in PERK phosphorylation was similar to that induced by 4-phenyl butyric acid, which reduces ER stress in vivo. In conclusion, CR reduced ER stress and improved hepatic insulin action by suppressing JNK-mediated IRS-1 serine-phosphorylation in ob/ob mice.

2011-02-20T05:01:00.001-08:00

2011-02-20T05:00:00.001-08:00

Healthy balanced, individually tailored diet can add 15-25 years to your lifespan.

2011-02-16T04:12:00.000-08:00

Control of Human Aging With Special Nutritional Program.

Presentation of the Method

By Arcady L. Economo. Ph.D, Pharm.D. Anti-Aging Center Europe

Dietary restriction proved to be extremely effective for extending maximum life span in animals. Are the animal data translatable to humans? Modern scientific data indicates that with high order of probability we can answer on this question yes ! If yes than we ought to change our diet. The purpose of this work was to develop special nutrient criteria for human being - Anti-Aging Dietary Norms (AADN) for construction of various anti-aging food regimes - that are low-calorie, properly balanced and individually adjusted.

42 Versions of AADN were developed on the basis of present scientific data on biology of aging process:
7 versions for Standard model,
9 versions for Diabetic model,
17 versions for Gastroentheropathy model and
9 versions for Ischemic heart disease & Hypertension model.
Using AADN-tables and originally developed computer program we can maintain within optimal ranges the intake with diet of 58 essential nutrients. Such a nutritional supervision on human being and the condition of caloric limitation will lead to an essential reduction of the rate of human aging. Panel of Experts - International Anti-Aging Expert Commission certified five values for each of 58 essential nutrients: A - minimum required, B - low optimum, I - ideal value, C - high optimum, D - unsafe level.

INTRODUCTIONSince the 1930s, caloric limitation of diet, y.e. dietary restriction(DR) has been the only intervention shown to slow aging in warm-blooded organisms. Early DR experiments of Clive M. McCay(1), who placed rats on a very low calorie diet and extended animal’s life span by 40 percent had been nowadays repeated......continue

Fasting and Cleansing programs in Hungary

2011-02-16T03:41:00.000-08:00

Budapest, Hungary, is known as the "Pearl of the Danube" for its breathtaking views. Budapest, a city built on two sides of one of the most famous rivers in Europe, is known for its riverside views of Parliament, one of the most recognizable government buildings in the world; the Chain Bridge, a beautiful piece of Hungarian architecture full of interesting history; and Andrássy Utca, home to some of the best-known designer shopping in the world (and the reason Budapest is also known as "the Paris of Eastern Europe"). Budapest is wonderfully brilliant during any season - come take a walk around Margít Island during the spring; take a ferry ride on the Danube or a flight over it in the summer. Andrássy Utca makes a beautiful walking tour of the changing scenery in the fall, and lights up with dazzling holiday

Short-term modified alternate-day fasting: a novel dietary strategy for weight loss and cardioprotection in obese adults.

2011-02-16T02:18:00.000-08:00

The ability of modified alternate-day fasting (ADF; ie, consuming 25% of energy needs on the first day and ad libitum food intake on the following day) to facilitate weight loss and lower vascular disease risk in obese individuals remains unknown.
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of ADF that is administered under controlled compared with self-implemented conditions on body weight and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk indicators in obese adults.
DESIGN: Sixteen obese subjects (12 women, 4 men) completed a 10-wk trial, which consisted of 3 phases: 1) a 2-wk control phase, 2) a 4-wk weight loss/ADF controlled food intake phase, and 3) a 4-wk weight loss/ADF self-selected food intake phase.
RESULTS: Dietary adherence remained high throughout the controlled food intake phase (days adherent: 86%) and the self-selected food intake phase (days adherent: 89%). The rate of weight loss remained constant during controlled food intake (0.67 +/- 0.1 kg/wk) and self-selected food intake phases (0.68 +/- 0.1 kg/wk). Body weight decreased (P < 0.001) by 5.6 +/- 1.0 kg (5.8 +/- 1.1%) after 8 wk of diet. Percentage body fat decreased (P < 0.01) from 45 +/- 2% to 42 +/- 2%. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations decreased (P < 0.01) by 21 +/- 4%, 25 +/- 10%, and 32 +/- 6%, respectively, after 8 wk of ADF, whereas HDL cholesterol remained unchanged. Systolic blood pressure decreased (P < 0.05) from 124 +/- 5 to 116 +/- 3 mm Hg

NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

2011-01-15T03:22:00.000-08:00

These diseases are caused due to the loss of neuron functioning as the brain wears out. They include; Alzheimer’s,Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s and they occur as the degeneration process goes on. They can lead to a typical protein damage as well as death of the body cells. Neurodegenerative disease can be found in many levels of neuronal circuitry ranging from systemic to molecular. Little do people know that something as simple as calorie restriction can help them prevent neurodegenerative diseases.

They are mainly caused by genetic mutations brought about by the combination of unrelated genes. Have a look at the causes of neurodegenerative disease given below;

When amino acid glutamine repeats itself,polyglutamine diseases come about. The residues will acquire toxic elements through irregular protein folding degradation and abnormal interactions with other protein cells which will in the end lead to this disease. Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases are both associated with the accumulation of intracellular toxic proteins hence the best term to describe these two is proteinopathies.For the Alzheimer’s disease, extracellular excreted toxic proteins play a big part in its cause.

Over production of oxidative stress is also a major cause for all the neurodegenerative disorders. It can lead to death of many cells through the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway which activates the release of cytochrome in the body. Mitochondrial disfunctioning bridges the gap for the neurodegenerative diseases which are fatal if not treated.

The expansion of CAG trinucleotide with poly Q tract paves way for the inherited neurodegenerative diseases. Huntington’s disease is the best example to explain this point clearly. Research shows that the genetics behind every disease differ accordingly. These diseases have a wide range of symptoms which come as a result of getting infected. Axonal swelling will be witnessed when they are not available in the diseased neurons which will lead to pathological insult as a result of accumulation of organelles. These disease will imply that synapses and neurons will be lost in regards to cerebral cortex situated via the subcortical region. Due to the defect in machinery that transports proteins,dopaminergic neurons will die out.

Various preventive measures have been put across in order to put an end to the neurodegenerative disorders. You can opt for a better diet which is rich in proteins in order for you to extend the life span. The potential diets here can be cutting down on foods having a high caloric content plus resorting to fasting. This diet is so beneficial for recovery of lost memory and cognitive functioning as you grow older. For Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, the easiest treatment is eating less from which the brain can’t be disturbed by destructive chemicals hence the more the food, the higher the risk of acquiring heart disease and cancer.

Physical exercises can also help to overcome mental degeneration of the brain because they have numerous effects on mental acuity. Vitamin E can be a good choice to overcome these diseases hence more emphasis should be put on foods rich in that type of vitamin. Another brain health booster can be omega-3 and omega 6 fatty acids which can be gotten through fish oil.

When calcium cell are scarce, it will lead to the damaging of your brain. This substance will rejuvenate the operation of your brain. Consider eating healthy foods like; green leafy vegetables. Try out these preventive measures and in no time, neurodegenerative disease will be a story of the past to tell.

Get more information on how to prevent neurological disorders here: http://www.anti-aging-plan.com/en/diseases/neurodegenerative_diseases

The Other Side - Caloric Restriction

2011-01-15T02:38:00.001-08:00

Skin disorders and psoriasis.

2011-01-15T02:14:00.000-08:00

The effect of fasting and calorie-restriction

According to Dr. Joel Fuhrman M.D. clinical observations (Fasting and Eating for Health, St. Martin’s Griffin, New York, 1995) psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis also respond favorably to the combination of fasting and dietary intervention. In one medical study, eight out of ten patients noted improvement in their psoriasis after a short fast (seven to ten days). Most patients’ psoriatic lesions improve if they fast long enough. Substantial results often require a long fast (14 to 30 days), maintenance of a thin body, and a careful diet after the fast is completed. Dr. Fuhrman frequently note that when people with psoriasis and eczema fast, the results of their liver-function tests routinely elevated early and then normalize as the fast is taken to completion. Without he normalization of the liver from the detoxifying effect of a more prolonged fast (three to five weeks), reappearance of skin lesions may occur upon reintroduction of food. Invariably when the psoriasis suffers overeats and puts on too much fat after fasting. The problem once again emerges.

A fasting and vegetarian diet treatment trial on chronic inflammatory disorders.Acta Derm Venereol 1983;63(5):397-403.
Lithell H, Bruce A, Gustafsson IB, Hoglund NJ, Karlstrom B, Ljunghall K, Sjolin K, Venge P, Werner I, Vessby B.
Twenty patients with arthritis and various skin diseases were studied on a metabolic ward during a 2-week period of modified fast followed by a 3-week period of vegetarian diet. During fasting, arthralgia was less intense in many subjects. In some types of skin diseases (pustulosis palmaris et plantaris and atopic eczema) an improvement could be demonstrated during the fast. During the vegan diet, both signs and symptoms returned in most patients, with the exception of some patients with psoriasis who experienced an improvement.The concentrations of lactoferrin in serum reflect the turnover and activity of neutrophil leukocytes. When this protein was initially increased it fell to normal values in most cases. The improvement or impairment of sig.....more......

Sample diets for the weight loss program

2011-01-14T03:16:00.000-08:00

Very low calorie diet (VLCD)
Total calories: 800 cal

Low calorie diet (LCD) Total calories: 1500 cal

First Breakfast

1 banana

1 - 2 cup herbal tea without sugar

Second Breakfast

1 big apple, peeled and shredded
2 small carrots, peeled and shredded

Lunch

Plate of boiled vegetables

1 cup kale cabbage, boiled
1 cup spinach, boiled from frozen
2 big tomatoes, peeled and lightly boiled

1/6 big sweet pepper
4 cloves garlic, boiled
1/2 slice pumpernickel bread

1 cap orange juice

Dinner
Tofu sandwich:

1 slice rye bread
3 slice tofu
1 peeled and sliced cucumber
10 – 20 g Alfalfa seeds, sprouted

1 - 2 cup herbal tea without sugar

Breakfast

1 serving Mashed Apple *

2 slices mixed-grain bread toasted

2 tbsp. honey

1 - 2 cup herbal tea without sugar

Lunch

4 oz. turkey breast, boiled

1 cup broccoli flowers, boiled

1 carrot, boiled and sliced

1 tomatoes, sliced

1 slice rye bread

1 cup no-sugar added orange juice

1 banana

Dinner

1 serving Spaghetti with Pesto-nori sauce *

1 cup non-sweet orange juice

5 dry dates

1 kiwi

p53 tumor suppressor, the "guardian of the genome"

2011-01-14T03:01:00.000-08:00

Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, PUMC&CAMS, Beijing, People's Republic of China, 100050.
Abstract
Carcinogenesis is a process that consists of multiple stages, namely, the inactivation of the tumor suppressor gene, the activation of the oncogene, and complex interactions that occur between the tumor and the underlying host tissues. As a result of these stages put together, a highly aggressive metastatic phenotype more......

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

2011-01-10T02:28:00.000-08:00

This incurable, fatal and degenerative disease commonly known as dementia was discovered by a German scientist called Alois Alzheimer from which the disease was even named after him. Many times, people above 65 years suffer the consequences and as I am writing this article, 26.6 million people are suffering worldwide. There are things however that can be done to lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

This disease has many observable symptoms like too much stress brought about by old age which then gives way for Alzheimer’s disease to take charge. There is also in ability to acquire or even recover your memories hence the victims of this incurable disease are so forgetful. The sufferer will become confused with mood swings from which being next to them is more than impossible with such kind of symptoms. To sum up the symptoms, its major effect is decline in the functioning of the body parts which in the end, leads to death.

A diagnosis has to be carried to come up with the necessary preventive measures. Your life expectancy after the diagnosis is a maximum of seven years and in most cases individual prognosis is not easy to assess yet the duration of the disease varies. Below are some of the unique causes and the necessary preventive measures that have been put in place to try cure this deadly disease;

Due to the fact that the brain never metabolizes fats, as one grows older, the Alzheimer disease comes about due to decline in brain glucose metabolism. The process of disease development is supported by failure of the brain to properly make use of the excess glucose.Ketone bodies like acetone and acetoacetate can help to prevent this disease. When an individual is on a fasting program, there will be disintegration of the fats from which these bodies will develop slowly. This disease is a neurodegenerative order resulting in the decline of the cognitive operation of the plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.

With the increase in age, the functioning of the nervous system is put on a hold hence it does not carry out its duties properly. Caloric restriction and prolonged fasting can rebuild the nervous system to carry out its duties in a more efficient way. These two enhance the production of antioxidant enzymes,neurotrophic factors which help the body cells resist against all kinds of diseases.

The Alzheimer disease has a lot of implications on the human body for instance; neurological damage, decline in cognitive functioning, it can stop the aging process in the brain. With the recent studies carried out at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, it was revealed that calorie restriction might be of importance to the Alzheimer disease in the long run. It can help to prevent Abeta which stands for amyloid-beta.As this study was carried out, it was realized that the decreased cortices Abeta peptide proportionally worked with SIRT 1 which is a protein concentration surrounding the same brain region.

The well being of the patients has to be essential because this disease is incurable and degenerative in nature. The Alzheimer’s disease will place a great bag of burden on the care giver due to the inevitable symptoms and effects of the disease on the patient. The Alzheimer is one of the most deadly disease on planet earth today.

Findings on the effect of intermittent fasting on the diabetic syndrome

2010-12-24T03:19:00.000-08:00

ntermittent fasting modulation of the diabetic syndrome in sand rats. III. Post-mortem investigations.

The present report concerns several post-mortem variables examined in sand rats that were either maintained on a vegetal diet (control animals) or exposed first during a 20-day transition period to a mixed diet consisting of a fixed amount of a hypercaloric food and decreasing amounts of the vegetal food and then to a 30-day experimental period of exposure to the hypercaloric food. During the latter period, all animals were either given free access to food or fasting daily for 15 h, i.e. from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 a.m. The body weight, liver wet weight, pancreas wet weight, plasma glucose and haemoglobin A1c concentration, plasma insulin concentration, insulinogenic index, insulin resistance HOMA, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentration, liver triglyceride and phospholipid content were all measured. Pancreatic islet (insulin, GLUT2) and liver (lipid droplets) histology were also examined. The main findings consisted in a lower body weight of fasting than non-fasting animals, a higher liver weight in non-diabetic and diabetic rats than in control non-fasting (but not so in fasting) animals, a decrease of pancreas weight in non-diabetic and diabetic as distinct from control animals, a fasting-induced decrease in plasma glucose, plasma insulin and insulin resistance HOMA, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentration and triglyceride liver content.

Obesity

2010-12-19T01:18:00.000-08:00

Obesity is a situation which involves excess accumulation of body fat from which your life expectancy drastically goes down leading to outbreak of severe health problems in your life. You are considered to be obese when your IBM is higher than 30kg/m².The health status of an obese is prune to various diseases, the fatal ones being; heart disease and cancer. You might ask yourself what causes obesity. Just take a glimpse through the major causes of obesity given below and from there you can pick out the best obesity treatment suited for you;

General lack of physical exercise paves way for the body fats in the body to accumulate leading to obesity. Many people eat a lot of junk foods yet they don’t do any physical exercise at all. This causes a great threat to your life from which you will become obese. This is why a lot of overweight people are now opting for weight loss through calorie restriction; they do not want to assume the risks obesity comes with. Genes also play a part in causing obesity. This is where a new born baby takes the same blood line as their parents who are obese. The disease will be passed onto the new baby hence chances of having obese children in such a family are very high. Another cause of obesity can be mental illness. This kind of illness is brought about by distress which is not part of normal development.

Obesity which is so prominent in the western countries is interestingly considered to be a sign of being wealthy. This implies that an individual is suffering because they have plenty of food to eat from which they have limited time for physical exercise. Some are always in the offices making money instead of pushing for fitness of their bodies. You need a proper lose weight program that will not be too taxing and yet be perfectly effective for shedding off those pounds that can endanger your life. It has been put in the lime light by the doctors that obesity is one of the leading causes of death when fats accumulate around the heart which then stops functioning and the only repercussion is death for the infected person. Obese people are isolated from society most of the time because they are taken to be abnormal. Take an example of school kids who can’t interact with their fellow student who has obesity because they can’t participate in any kind of sport at school.

Though obesity is steadily eating up the 21^st century, various measures have been put across to put an end to this deadly disease. The treatment given below can be considered to prevent obesity;

For the infected people, you have to apply these preventive measures for as long as you are on this planet earth. For status, you can take some anti-obesity drugs to bring about weight loss which can be witnessed after six months.

Day to day physical work outs can put the final full stop to obesity. One can go to the gym or participate in athletics like; running, signing up for Yoga can also be put on your program. The more you exercise your body, the more weight loss you will experience and the lesser your chances of being obese. Combining a fasting program with exercise is also a highly popular method nowadays.

Research carried out by the Pennington Biometrical Research Centre indicates that fasting can treat obesity. You can opt for foods with a very low calorie diet. Foods with low carbohydrate content take the vote here plus a low- fat and low-calorie diet. In no time your weight will be reduced a great deal giving no chance to the fatal disease, ‘obesity’.

Click here for more information how you can avoid or treat obesity today: http://www.anti-aging-plan.com/en/fasting_programs

Reference

Medline Plus: Obesity (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/obesity.html)

Medical News Today: What is Body Mass Index? (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/obesity/)

World Health Organization: Obesity (http://www.who.int/topics/obesity/en/)

Pharmacological Mimicking of Caloric Restriction Elicits Epigenetic Reprogramming of Differentiated Cells to Stem-Like Self-Renewal States.

2010-12-15T05:17:00.000-08:00

Abstract Networks of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes that control cancer cell proliferation also regulate stem cell renewal and possibly stem cell aging. Because (de)differentiation processes might dictate tumor cells to retrogress to a more stem-like state in response to aging-relevant epigenetic and/or environmental players, we recently envisioned that cultured human cancer cells might be used as reliable models to test the ability of antiaging interventions for promoting the initiation and maintenance of self-renewing divisions. Cancer cell lines naturally bearing undetectable amounts of stem/progenitor-like cell populations were continuously cultured in the presence of the caloric restriction mimetic metformin for several months. Microarray technology was employed to profile expression of genes related to the identification, growth, and differentiation of stem cells. Detection of functionally related gene groups using a pathway analysis package provided annotated genetic signatures over- and underexpressed in response to pharmacological mimicking of caloric restriction. By following this methodological approach, we recently obtained data fitting a model in which, in response to chronic impairment of cellular bioenergetics imposed by metformin-induced mitochondrial uncoupling as assessed by the phosphorylation state of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), tumor cells can retrogress from a differentiated state to a more CD44(+) stem-like primitive state epigenetically governed by the Polycomb-group suppressor BMI1-a crucial "stemness" gene involved in the epigenetic maintenance of adult stem cells. These findings might provide a novel molecular avenue to investigate if antiaging benefits from caloric restriction mimetics might relate to their ability to epigenetically reprogram stemness while prolonging the capacity of stem-like cell states to proliferate, differentiate, and replace mature cells in adult aging tissues.

Diseases which may be prevented or cured by means of therapeutic fasting and calorie restriction

2010-12-14T06:10:00.000-08:00

obesity
cardiovascular diseases
hypertension
asthma
diabetes
rheumatoid arthritis
brain aging
alzheimer's disease
seizures, epilepsy
psychiatric disorders
tumours, cancer
diseases of the digestive system
cholecystitis and gout
liver diseases
kidney diseases
thrombophlebitis
infections, low immunity
infertility
chronic fatigue syndrome
muscle loss (sarcopenia)
poisoning, toxicosis
obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
psoriasis and skin disorders
charcot-marie-tooth disease
hearing loss (presbyacusis)
cataract, mascular degeneration, glaucoma

safety and efficiensy of fasting side effects and complications while fasting contraindications for fasting and very low calorie dieting

Chronic fatigue syndrome can be treated by fasting and caloric restriction.

2010-12-13T07:38:00.000-08:00

Cognitive behavioral therapy and fasting therapy for a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Intern Med. 2001 Nov;40(11):1158-61.
Masuda A, Nakayama T, Yamanaka T, Hatsutanmaru K, Tei C.First Department of Internal Medicine, Kagoshima University.
Cognitive behavioral therapy temporarily alleviated symptoms of a chronic fatigue syndrome patient but the anxiety about rehabilitation into work became stronger and his symptoms worsened. This patient was successfully rehabilitated by fasting therapy. Natural killer cell activity and serum acylcarnitine levels recovered after fasting therapy. Though fasting therapy transiently increased physical and mental subjective symptoms, the patient gained self-confidence by overcoming difficulties after fasting therapy. A combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and fasting therapy is promising as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Starvation may protect organism against chemotherapy

2010-12-12T03:15:00.001-08:00

Starvation-based strategy of cancer treatment might increase the efficacy of chemotherapy, scientists believe. The modern science methods to treat cancer are mainly focused on the killing of tumor cells. However, the chemotherapy affects on organism itself in a negative way. The differential stress resistance method (DSR) can protect the organism but not cancer cells against chemotherapy. The scientists suggested that specific agents among promoting oxidative stress and DNA damage could maximize the differential toxicity to normal and cancer cells. Because cancer cells are less responsive to growth-regulating signals they are likely to remain sensitive to the treatment after starvation, whereas normal cells will increase their resistance to the drug. According to the research, short-term starved normal cells are up to 1,000 times better protected against oxidative stress or chemotherapy drugs than cells expressing the oncogene homolog. Low-glucose or low-serum media also protected normal cells but not cancer cell lines against hydrogen peroxide or the chemotherapy drugs. More over, short-term starvation provided complete protection to mice but not to injected neuroblastoma cells against a high dose of the chemotherapy.

Caloric restriction and anti aging: How does dietary restriction produce protective ef...

2010-12-12T02:23:00.000-08:00

Caloric restriction and anti aging: How does dietary restriction produce protective ef...: "An answer lies in a two-part study led by Charles Mobbs, PhD, Professor of Neuroscience and of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at Mount S..."

How does dietary restriction produce protective effects against aging

2010-12-12T02:13:00.000-08:00

An answer lies in a two-part study led by Charles Mobbs, PhD, Professor of Neuroscience and of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, published in the November 17 edition of the journal PLoS Biology. The study examines how dietary restriction and a high-caloric diet influence biochemical responses.Dr. Mobbs and his colleagues unraveled a molecular puzzle to determine that within certain parameters, a lower-calorie diet slows the development of some age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, as well as the aging process. How the diet is restricted -- whether fats, proteins or carbohydrates are cut -- does not appear to matter. "It may not be about counting calories or cutting out specific nutrients," said Dr. Mobbs, "but how a reduction in dietary intake impacts the glucose metabolism, which contributes to oxidative stress." Meanwhile, a high calorie diet may accelerate age-related disease by promoting oxidative stress.

Dietary restriction induces a transcription factor called CREB-binding protein (CBP), which controls the activity of genes that regulate cellular function. By developing drugs that mimic the protective effects of CBP -- those usually caused by dietary restriction -- scientists may be able to extend lifespan and reduce vulnerability to age-related illnesses.

"We discovered that CBP predicts lifespan and accounts for 80 percent of lifespan variation in mammals," said Dr. Mobbs. "Finding the right balance is key; only a 10 percent restriction will produce a small increase in lifespan, whereas an 80 percent restriction will lead to a shorter life due to starvation."

The first part of the study looked at C. elegans, a species of roundworm, that were genetically altered to develop Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms. Dr. Mobbs and his team reduced the roundworms' dietary intake by diluting the bacteria the worms consume. In these types of roundworms, human beta amyloid peptide, which contributes to plaque buildup in Alzheimer's disease, is expressed in muscle, which becomes paralyzed as age progresses. This model allowed researchers to readily measure how lifespan and disease burden were simultaneously improved through dietary restriction.

The researchers found that when dietary restriction was maintained throughout the worms' adulthood, lifespan increased by 65 percent and the Alzheimer's disease-related paralysis decreased by about 50 percent.

"We showed that dietary restriction activates CBP in a roundworm model, and when we blocked this activation, we blocked all the protective effects of dietary restriction," said Dr. Mobbs. "It was the result of blocking CBP activation, which inhibited all the protective effects of dietary restriction, that confirmed to us that CBP plays a key role in mediating the protective effects of dietary restriction on lifespan and age-related disease."

In the second part of study, Dr. Mobbs and his team looked at the other end of this process: What happens to CBP in a high-calorie diet that has led to diabetes, a disease in which glucose metabolism is impaired? Researchers examined mice and found that diabetes reduces activation of CBP, leading Dr. Mobbs to conclude that a high-calorie diet that leads to diabetes would have the opposite effect of dietary restriction and would accelerate aging.

Dr. Mobbs hypothesizes that dietary restriction induces CBP by blocking glucose metabolism, which produces oxidative stress, a cellular process that leads to tissue damage and also promotes cancer cell growth. Interestingly, dietary restriction triggers CBP for as long as the restriction is maintained, suggesting that the protective effects may wear off if higher dietary intake resumes. CBP responds to changes in glucose within hours, indicating genetic communications respond quickly to fluctuations in dietary intake.

"Our next step is to understand the exact interactions of CBP with other transcription factors that mediate its protective effects with age," said Dr. Mobbs. "If we can map out these interactions, we could then begin to produce more targeted drugs that mimic the protective effects of CBP. team found an optimal dietary restriction, estimated to be equivalent to a 30 percent caloric reduction in mammals, increased lifespan over 50 percent while slowing the development of an age-related pathology similar to Alzheimer's disease. http://www.anti-aging-plan.com/news