In eucaryotic organisms (plants, animals, fungi, protists), the mTOR pathway is a central regulator of cellular metabolism, growth, and survival. It has long been postulated that mTOR activity is one of the central control knobs of the speed of aging, which can be regarded as a continuation of the pre-adulthood growth program.
When there are sufficient nutrients & energy (glucose, leucine, arginine, methionine) and sufficient extracellular growth signals (e.g., insulin, IGF-1, tissue-specific growth factors), the mTOR complex is activated and drives a host of anabolic processes, including growth and development.
However, because animals usually die long before aging kills them, evolution never bothered with reducing the activity of the mTOR pathway after sexual maturity had been reached. Thus, to the detriment of the old animal, mTOR is set at too high a level after growth and development have been completed.
mTOR inhibitors are a promising pharmacological fix for the problem evolution never bothered to confront.
Tactics to keep mTOR activity (fairly) low
- My thoughts on fasting & caloric restriction
- Metformin
- Rapamycin
- IGF-1 – A double-edged sword
The above is only a fraction of the article. This article is currently undergoing final revisions and is expected to be published within the next few weeks to months. To receive a notification upon its release, sign up for my newsletter.
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