What does mTor mean?
The mTOR kinase can be thought of as the control center of a body cell. It regulates metabolism, cell division and cell growth. In pathological processes, this regulation no longer functions as it should. Deactivating this control center could lead to cancer cells being prevented from growing, for example. Diabetes and obesity are also influenced by it.
But a study published in Science Translational Medicine in 2018 has raised eyebrows: Inhibiting mTOR kinase also has a positive effect on ageing processes. This also includes improving the body’s own defense function and thus fewer infections. This point is definitely worth noting, especially in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dysregulation of mTOR signaling, on the other hand, can weaken the immune system, promote muscle breakdown and pave the way for the onset and progression of various diseases that frequently occur in old age, such as diabetes and a decline in mental performance, including dementia.
Conversely, deactivating mTOR can lead to an improvement in age-related diseases. Experiments with worms, flies and mice have shown that inhibiting mTOR prolongs the lifespan of the animals. Inhibitors of mTOR signaling may therefore be able to delay ageing processes and thus act as a kind of fountain of youth.
What does mTor activate?
A healthy body needs mTOR activation for cell formation and wound healing. mTOR activation can be achieved, for example, through a protein-rich diet and exercise. To optimize health, a phase of mTOR activation should be followed by mTOR inhibition, e.g. through intermittent fasting.
During prolonged periods of starvation, the mTOR kinase complex becomes temporarily inactive and falls off the cell membrane. The activity of mTOR can also be reduced pharmacologically by the immunosuppressant rapamycin. According to a study published in Science Translational Medicine in 2018, inhibition – as opposed to activation – of mTOR kinase has a positive effect on ageing processes. This also includes improving the body’s own defense function and thus fewer infections. This point is definitely worth noting, especially with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, mTOR inhibitors, which are used in cancer medicine to slow down uncontrolled cell growth, sometimes lead to considerable undesirable side effects. For example, taking these substances can lead to metabolic imbalances, high blood pressure, digestive disorders and breathing difficulties.
Due to these side effects, it is therefore not advisable to use it purely for the purpose of anti-aging.
Longevity and mTOR
Since time immemorial, one of the most popular ideas has been to achieve immortality or at least a very long life. To get one step closer to this, you have to study the protein mTOR which scientists have identified as a critical element in the ageing process. mTOR inhibitors not only play a role in anti-ageing, but also in diseases associated with ageing.
How can the mTOR protein be switched off?
It is already known that there is a natural brake on mTOR. During prolonged periods of starvation, the mTOR kinase complex becomes temporarily inactive and falls off the cell membrane. Several times a day it also becomes temporarily inactive without leaving its place. A lipid kinase is now also known to switch off the mTOR complex locally. This becomes active overnight, for example, when the insulin signal is absent. A strong inhibition of mTOR can therefore be achieved by fasting. Melatonin, vitamin D, alpha lipoic acid, certain polyphenols and oleocanthal have a supporting effect.
There are also mTOR inhibitors already approved in medicine. One example of this is the immunosuppressant rapamycin. However, due to its side effects, it is not advisable to use it purely for the purpose of anti-ageing.
It should be noted that a healthy body also requires mTOR activation for cell formation and wound healing. To optimize health, a phase of mTOR activation with a protein-rich diet and exercise should be followed by mTOR inhibition, e.g. through intermittent fasting.
Sources:
Table of contents
