Aging is Regulated by Classic Signaling Pathways
And We Can Extend Life by Eight Years in Humans Now
Until very recently, we thought that aging is not subject to active regulation. New research shows it is regulated by classing signaling pathways and we know how to modify them now. Patients with type 2 diabetes managed with a protocol that suppresses these pathways lived eight years longer than patients in usual care—and cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke were delayed by eight years! Longer healthier life is possible now.
One of the key hormones involved in more rapid aging is insulin. Manipulation of insulin-type signaling in lab animals has extended healthy lifespan up to ten-fold. Mutations in these same pathways are associated with extraordinary longevity in humans. Eating sugar and processed carbohydrate many increase insulin levels to ten times the fasting level. Small increases in insulin may interfere with breaking down fat in muscle and belly fat. Increased abdominal fat increases insulin resistance. Many Americans eat carbs and sugar all day resulting in persistently high insulin levels.
We think of insulin in terms of sugar control, but it is a growth hormone with many other effects. Gene mutations that causes increased blood sugar may be associated with increased longevity. Increased belly fat creates insulin resistance which means you must have a higher insulin level to maintain the same blood sugar level.
Insulin resistance due to increased belly fat only relates to the sugar lowering effect of insulin. Other insulin signaling is preserved. Increased insulin levels increase signaling that causes disease and makes us age faster by increasing protein synthesis, generating increased fat and causing cell growth that makes our heart bigger and arteries thicker. High insulin levels interfere with cellular maintenance activities that eliminates damaged components, reduces nitric oxide activity, antioxidant production and other defense mechanisms. Persistently high insulin levels in insulin resistance increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease while shortening our healthy life. Studies of large populations show that high-dose insulin treatment is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Reducing insulin signaling extends life and health. We should do what we can to reduce our insulin levels. That is why caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, weight loss, carb reduction, sugar reduction and exercise are so beneficial. Other factors activate the same damaging signaling as insulin. Lisinopril, losartan, atorvastatin, metformin, spironolactone, and empagliflozin have a benefit beyond lowering the target risk factor. Combining lisinopril, atorvastatin, metformin and aspirin prolonged life by eight years compared with usual care. Adding spironolactone and empagliflozin should do even better.
So many people want to extend healthy life. Let's do it now that we know how.