Methionine Restriction to Prolong Life?

[Guest guest]

I don't have links to the actual articles, but this doctor summarized several

articles about evidence of Methionine restriction prolonging life in some

studies. I realize this is not of the general topic of this forum (Calorie

Restriction), but the author suggests that Methionine restriction may be as

effective as CR for prolonging life, and I hope you may find the article of some

interest.

-Blair

___________

Dr. Gabe Mirkin's Fitness and Health E-Zine August 15, 2010

Methionine Restriction to Prolong Life?

Humans live longer when they exercise, eat lots of fruits and

vegetables, keep body fat low, and restrict excess calories, meat and protein.

The latest research show that restricting a certain protein building block

called methionine may be more effective in prolonging life than restricting

calories or proteins.

Caloric restriction with adequate intake of nutrients prolongs life

in fruit flies, roundworms, and mice by increasing insulin sensitivity and

heart function, and decreasing inflammation and the muscle wasting of aging. In

humans, calorie restriction helps to prevent diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

However, getting all of the nutrients you need while restricting calories is

very difficult.

Anything that increases cell growth and increases production of new

cells in your body appears to shorten lifespan.

Your cells are programmed so that when food is scarce, cells lie dormant in an

attempt to conserve energy to help you survive.

However, when food is plentiful, extra calories stimulate new cell growth which

ultimately shortens lifespan. Researchers have identified a protein in cells

called TOR (Target Of Rapamycin) which promotes cell growth. Blocking TOR

increases lifespan in yeast, worms, flies and mice (Aging Cell, September

2010).

Caloric restriction and a drug called rapamycin block TOR to decrease cell

growth and prolong life (Nature, July 8, 2009).

However, rapamycin is not safe because it suppresses immunity to increase

infections and it also markedly increases blood levels of triglycerides to

increase risk of heart attacks.

The most potent dietary activators of TOR are amino acids, the

building blocks of protein. Restricting protein lowers TOR and another major

promoter of cell growth called Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (Rejuvenation

Research, October 2007).

Restricting just one amino acid, methionine, extends the life of

flies and mice as much as caloric restriction does (Medical Hypotheses, February

2009). Methionine is found primarily in

animal products, and is very low in foods that come from plants.

Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in meat and dairy products

markedly restricts intake of methionine.

Furthermore, this diet is much easier to follow than one that restricts

calories.

[Guest guest]

Definitely on topic and also previously mentioned. Rod put this theory into our files which can be found by going to our home page, clicking on “files” in the left hand column and then “CRON SCIENCE or go here:

http://tinyurl.com/28oapg5

If you go to our archives, and type in “methionine” you’ll get all previous discussions of this topic. Unfortunately there is conflicting evidence because we have a study that health conscious fish and poultry eaters have an longevity edge over vegans and vegetarians. See:

/message/28298

And also in the anti-cancer file there’s a study that methionine may actually prevent pancreatic cancer.

Not long ago I posted a a study on fish oil that it actually lengthens telemeres. It caused quite a stir around here. This would conflict with the methionine theory. I’m searching the files for it as I’m quite sure we put it in there. Here is the “archives” version of that discussion:

/message/28774

On 8/12/10 8:28 PM, " Blair " <blairmd@...> wrote:

I don't have links to the actual articles, but this doctor summarized several articles about evidence of Methionine restriction prolonging life in some studies. I realize this is not of the general topic of this forum (Calorie Restriction), but the author suggests that Methionine restriction may be as effective as CR for prolonging life, and I hope you may find the article of some interest.

-Blair

___________

Dr. Gabe Mirkin's Fitness and Health E-Zine August 15, 2010

Methionine Restriction to Prolong Life?

Humans live longer when they exercise, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, keep body fat low, and restrict excess calories, meat and protein. The latest research show that restricting a certain protein building block called methionine may be more effective in prolonging life than restricting calories or proteins.

Caloric restriction with adequate intake of nutrients prolongs life in fruit flies, roundworms, and mice by increasing insulin sensitivity and heart function, and decreasing inflammation and the muscle wasting of aging. In humans, calorie restriction helps to prevent diabetes, heart disease and cancer. However, getting all of the nutrients you need while restricting calories is

very difficult.

Anything that increases cell growth and increases production of new cells in your body appears to shorten lifespan.

Your cells are programmed so that when food is scarce, cells lie dormant in an attempt to conserve energy to help you survive.

However, when food is plentiful, extra calories stimulate new cell growth which ultimately shortens lifespan. Researchers have identified a protein in cells called TOR (Target Of Rapamycin) which promotes cell growth. Blocking TOR increases lifespan in yeast, worms, flies and mice (Aging Cell, September 2010).

Caloric restriction and a drug called rapamycin block TOR to decrease cell growth and prolong life (Nature, July 8, 2009).

However, rapamycin is not safe because it suppresses immunity to increase infections and it also markedly increases blood levels of triglycerides to increase risk of heart attacks.

The most potent dietary activators of TOR are amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Restricting protein lowers TOR and another major promoter of cell growth called Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (Rejuvenation Research, October 2007).

Restricting just one amino acid, methionine, extends the life of flies and mice as much as caloric restriction does (Medical Hypotheses, February 2009). Methionine is found primarily in

animal products, and is very low in foods that come from plants.

Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in meat and dairy products markedly restricts intake of methionine.

Furthermore, this diet is much easier to follow than one that restricts calories.

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