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Cellular Mechanisms of Aging & Disease - Part 1: mTOR Inhibitors
Part 1 of the segment on Cellular Mechanisims of Aging and Disease deals with the cellular influence of the mTOR biochemical pathway. mTOR stands for “mechanistic (gene) Target Of Rapamycin”. Rapamycin is a protein kinase that was discovered in the soil of Easter Island in the 1970’s. It is produced by a Streptomycin Bacterium.
mTOR is a protein that is responsible for cell metabolism, growth and proliferation. The reason that this protein is the “target” of Rapamycin, is because Rapamycin has been found to stimulate the action of the mTOR protein. This action thereby dampens the Immune systems responses in the human body and it gained popularity as an agent to prevent organ rejection on transplantation.
mTOR is a necessary part of the human cellular renewal process when it is in homeostatic balance with the energy management of our systems. However, when our life style and diet are not in harmony with our biochemical needs, mTOR becomes dysregulated and initiates the disease pathologies of Cancer, Heart Disease, Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, etc. as well as typical age related decline. mTOR literally becomes the purveyor and initiator of aging and disease when it becomes over or under expressed (out of balance). mTOR is more often overexpressed as opposed to under expressed due to our life style and diet, and therefore is most often brought into balance by mTOR inhibitors rather than mTOR stimulators.
mTOR is a necessary part of the human cellular renewal process when it is in homeostatic balance with the energy management of our systems. However, when our life style and diet are not in harmony with our biochemical needs, mTOR becomes dysregulated and initiates the disease pathologies of Cancer, Heart Disease, Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, etc. as well as typical age related decline. mTOR literally becomes the purveyor and initiator of aging and disease when it becomes over or under expressed (out of balance). mTOR is more often overexpressed as opposed to under expressed due to our life style and diet, and therefore is most often brought into balance by mTOR inhibitors rather than mTOR stimulators.
Article referenced (with link): "mTOR inhibitors in cancer, health and aging" by Dr. Marios Kyriazis. Aging Matters Magazine, Issue 3, 2015.
Cellular Mechanisms of Aging & Disease - Part 2: AMPK
Part 2 of the segment on Cellular Mechanisims of Aging and Disease discusses AMPK, or Adenosine Mono Phosphate Kinase. AMPK is an enzyme made of three proteins and is the main signaling molecule in human energy management. AMPK is the molecule that goes into action when the immediate cellular stores of ATP (Adenosine Tri Phosphate- the only molecule that delivers energy to human cells), becomes depleted. Without ATP our cells cannot function or live. AMPK keeps the cells energy requirements in balance, assuring that not too much or too little energy is available for life’s functions.
AMPK is engaged with the mTOR pathway in order to add control to cellular metabolism. Our life style and diet do a poor job of supplying appropriate quantities of substrate material needed to supply adequate AMPK and ATP (we get simple sugars, biologically inactive fats and over cooked degraded proteins versus raw, nutrient dense, complete foods) . Our ability to supply adequate AMPK also declines with age, helping to initiate the disease modalities characteristic of aging.
A robust AMPK response is needed to keep mTOR pathways in balance and properly regulated. AMPK levels are fortunately under or dietary and life style control, and abnormalities can be corrected to allow a more balance healthful energy expression in our cells. Proper cellular energy management begins with a more youthful AMPK expression; a process that is positively, or negatively, influenced by our diet and lifestyle.
Article referenced (with link): "AMPK and Aging, 'A Technical Review'" by Raegan Linton. Life Extension Magazine, November 2015.
Cellular Mechanisms of Aging & Disease - Part 3: Intestinal Health
Part 3 of the segment on Cellular Mechanisims of Aging and Disease discusses Intestinal Health...
Cellular Mechanisms of Aging & Disease - Part 4: Circadian Rhythm
Part 4 of the series on Cellular Mechanisims of Aging and Disease discusses Circadian Rhythm.
Cellular Mechanisms of Aging & Disease - Part 5: Healthways' Take
This is the summary of the Cellular Mechanisims of Aging and Disease series.