Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21) is the first known hormone that improves lifespan during protein restriction by coordinating feeding behavior.
Is Low Protein — A Healthy Food Choice?
It has long been known that reducing the amount you eat improves health and extends lifespan, and there has been increasing interest in the possibility that reducing protein or amino acid intake contributes to this beneficial effect. Several recent studies suggest that diets that are low in protein, but not so low that may produce malnutrition, can improve health. Conversely, overconsumption of high-protein diets has been linked to increased mortality in certain age groups.
Thermogenic Food for Weight Loss
Energy is needed to digest the ingested food. Diet induced thermogenesis (DIT) is defined ‘a percentage, is the energy used to break down food once it has been consumed’.
Energy is needed to digest the ingested food. Diet induced thermogenesis (DIT) is defined ‘a percentage, is the energy used to break down food once it has been consumed’.
‘The health benefits were apparent when protein intake was reduced in middle-aged mice having a hormone called Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21).’
A few years ago, Pennington Biomedical’s Neurosignaling Laboratory discovered that the metabolic hormone FGF21 was a key in linking the body to the brain during protein restriction. Without this signal, young mice failed to change their feeding behavior or metabolism when placed on a low-protein diet. "Our data suggest that FGF21 talks to the brain, and that without this signal the mouse doesn’t ’know’ that it is eating a low-protein diet. As a result, the mouse fails to adaptively change its metabolism or feeding behavior," said Prof. Christopher Morrison, PhD, director of the Neurosignaling Lab.
The group’s newest work demonstrates that low-protein diets produce beneficial metabolic effects in aged mice, improving metabolic health, reducing frailty, and extending lifespan.
Brain Action is Critical for Health and Lifespan
The previous finding showed that FGF21 acts in the brain to improve metabolic health in young mice fed a low-protein diet. These new data extend this work by demonstrating that FGF21 also improves metabolic health and extends lifespan.
Low-protein Diet may Cut Down Heart Disease Risk
Protein-rich foods such as meats, dairy, nuts, and soy contain high levels of sulfur amino acids. Therefore, eating a low-protein diet or diets restricting sulfur amino acids may lower the risk of developing heart disease.
Protein-rich foods such as meats, dairy, nuts, and soy contain high levels of sulfur amino acids. Therefore, eating a low-protein diet or diets restricting sulfur amino acids may lower the risk of developing heart disease.
This ground-breaking research has important implications for extending the health and lifespan of people. If scientists can better understand how diets and nutritional hormones like FGF21 act to extend lifespan, these discoveries could offset many of the health issues that occur in middle age and later.
Advertisement
Increased Incidence of Cardiovascular Diseases in Swedish Women on Low Carbohydrate, High Protein Diet: Study
Low carbohydrate, high protein diets, when consumed regularly, without taking into account the nature of carbohydrates or the source of proteins, can be linked to increased risk of heart disease.
Low carbohydrate, high protein diets, when consumed regularly, without taking into account the nature of carbohydrates or the source of proteins, can be linked to increased risk of heart disease.
High Protein Diet May Not be Very Effective in Reducing Body Weight and Risk of Heart Disease
A recent study has suggested that there is no significant evidence supporting the long term benefits of high protein diet in reducing obesity and risk factors for heart disease.
A recent study has suggested that there is no significant evidence supporting the long term benefits of high protein diet in reducing obesity and risk factors for heart disease.
