Posted on 02/12/2022 10:07:05 AM PST by ConservativeMind
A new study confirms the health benefits of moderate calorie restrictions in humans—and identifies a key protein that could be harnessed to extend health in humans.
Dixit started by analyzing the thymus, a gland that sits above the heart and produces T cells, a type of white blood cell and an essential part of the immune system. The thymus ages at a faster rate than other organs. By the time healthy adults reach the age of 40, said Dixit, 70% of the thymus is already fatty and nonfunctional. And as it ages, the thymus produces fewer T cells.
They found that the thymus glands in participants with limited calorie intake had less fat and greater functional volume after two years of calorie restriction, meaning they were producing more T cells than they were at the start of the study. But participants who weren't restricting their calories had no change in functional volume.
"The fact that this organ can be rejuvenated is, in my view, stunning because there is very little evidence of that happening in humans," said Dixit. "That this is even possible is very exciting."
With such a dramatic effect on the thymus, Dixit and his colleagues expected to also find effects on the immune cells that the thymus was producing, changes that might underlie the overall benefits of calorie restriction. But when they sequenced the genes in those cells, they found there were no changes in gene expression after two years of calorie restriction.
This observation required a closer look, which revealed a surprising finding: "It turns out that the action was really in the tissue microenvironment not the blood T cells," Dixit said.
"…We found remarkable changes in the gene expression of adipose tissue after one year that were sustained through year two," said Dixit.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
It’s not often you can fully reverse the poor health of an organ.
Do these studies bode well for the future of lab mice? Just wondering. Seems like humans are the new guinea pigs.
Is there a number or percentage of calories that you follow to get these benefits?
14% calorie reduction in study...hhhmmmm...I basically put my Hashimotos in remission last year...not sure how, but maybe this, or addition of black cumin seed oil
I do it by taking 2,000 MG of Metformin daily:
Metformin Could Be The Anti-Aging Drug That Lets You Live To 120 Years Old — Here's How
Yet another reason not to be a fat slob - better T cell production 👍🏻
I eat 2 meals a day, small meals at that. Hamsandwhich and soda for brunch, then 6-8 ounce steak or chicken and maybe some potatoes or green beans for dinner. I do drink 2 soda a day, and a few smarties for after dinner desert, maybe occasional cookie or two, but usually not. Have eaten this way for all my life really. So my thymus should be golden?
My husband was on Metformin for several yrs for diabetes. Then very suddenly his MD took him off of it saying that he could die from it if on the medicine too long.
This was around 2009 or so....my memory not the greatest. I mentioned this to someone else and they had never heard of metformin killing people after number of yrs.
FYI
but since I'm on the tree bark eating, green swill drinking diet, I'm good.
I heard the authors saying that none of those made a difference as long as there was CR. Not sure I believe it but even a high fat diet there is only so much you can eat in 4 hours. Exciting that the driver protein is finally being discovered.
Look into selenium sources with whatever iodine you might need.
People have put Hashimoto’s into remission with selenium and iodine.
I have been on metformin for about 20 years. Other things as well, D4, Zinc, etc. Diabetic and heart patient. Otherwise healthy. Need to lose weight. This motivates me.
Thanks...I’ll do that.
https://www.goodrx.com/metformin/long-term-side-effects-of-metformin-what-are-the-risks
He might discontinue if he saw evidence of kidney problem or anemia
Now, people with diabetes and taking Metformin are out-living the non-diabetic.
Studies have begun in England to test the 'metformin effect' on a large number of non-diabetic people.
I read many years ago that the secret to long life was COLD & HUNGRY.
Low calorie diet, in a cold climate.
There is a supplement that works just well as metformin, IT IS SAID. Berberine.
Ping.
I take berberine twice a day. I would say its glucose-lowering effects are similar to a low dose of glucophage, but not a high dose.
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