You Can Be Healthier Longer Now and It Is Fairly Easy to Get There: Understanding the Science
This short video discusses a mutation in the daf-2 gene that doubles the length of healthy life in a type of worm. A reduced function mutation in this one gene is responsible for this effect. The fully active gene accelerates aging. The same genes in humans are receptors for insulin and insulin-related growth factor. We already know that reduced food intake and intermittent fasting slow aging and chronic disease development. Now we have proof that ACE inhibitors, statins, metformin, and aspirin with tight risk factor control using a consistently delivered protocol prolong healthier life by 8 years in humans with type 2 diabetes. You can receive that benefit now!
Insulin levels are increased in obesity and the early stages of type 2 diabetes. Patients with type 2 diabetes lose about 10 years of life. They have an increase risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Insulin and insulin related growth factor-1 (IGF-1) would go in the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) position in the central purple box in the diagram above. Insulin and IGF-1 are growth factors. Any other growth factor can go in this same position. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drives diabetic eye disease. EGFR and IGF-1 are both persistently activated in pancreatic cancer. As you can see in the diagram, oxidants activate this same signaling and the final common effect is switching on mTOR and switching off AMPK. Out of the 20,000 genes in humans, it seems the growth factor genes and oxidants drive most human chronic disease and aging.
These facts have profound implications for the way we approach chronic disease. Sure, you can get the sugar down by piling on insulin and other medications that increase insulin production like glyburide. These two medications also cause weight gain. But if those increased insulin levels are accelerating aging and increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer, that approach is counter-productive. In fact, I know of no research that shows using any medication that will lower sugar by increasing insulin reduces heart attack, stroke, or death. The landmark ACCORD trial was stopped early because more people died with aggressive care to lower glucose. The ACCORD investigators used lots of insulin and glyburide type medications.
To prolong healthy life in the related epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes. we should focus on weight and medications with life-style measures that are insulin sparing. We should not us medicines that increase weight and insulin levels even further. Carbohydrate and sugar restriction lower insulin levels. Exercise lowers insulin levels. Metformin and empagliflozin reduce insulin levels while protecting every cell and organ in the body. When we combine diet, exercise, and the medications in the green boxes in the diagram, we can be healthier longer now. It is not that hard and I have been working with others to bring together the protocols and population health tools to prolong healthy life by more than eight years. Now we understand the whole picture better. You can do this in your community. Why wouldn’t you. wbestermann@congruityhealth.com