LONDON: Scientists at the Buck Institute have unveiled a groundbreaking discovery highlighting the deep impact of dietary restriction, such as eating fewer meals, on delaying cognitive aging and extending lifespan. The research, focusing on a neuron-specific response regulated by the OXR1 gene, emphasizes the benefits of practices like intermittent fasting and caloric restriction in promoting brain health.
Researchers at the Buck Institute identified a neuron-specific response to dietary restriction, amplified by low-calorie diets and intermittent fasting. This response is intricately regulated by the OXR1 gene, shedding light on the connection between dietary habits and brain health.
The study reveals that dietary restriction not only delays cognitive aging but also enhances lifespan. The findings challenge the conventional belief that the effects of restricted eating are limited to the digestive tract and fat metabolism, emphasizing the critical role it plays in brain resilience.
Dietary Restriction Reduces Onset of Neurodegenerative Brain Illnesses
Human cell and fruit fly studies demonstrated that dietary restriction significantly reduces the onset of neurodegenerative brain illnesses. The strategy of limiting nutrients through intermittent fasting or caloric restriction boosts the levels of the OXR1 gene, offering neuroprotection and delaying the aging process.
OXR1 deficiency in humans leads to severe neurological impairments and early mortality, while OXR1 overexpression in mice extends survival in models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The gene emerges as a crucial factor in brain resilience, protecting against aging and neurological diseases.
The research delves into the role of OXR1 in influencing the retromer complex, essential for sustaining neurons and recycling cellular lipids and proteins. This interaction further explains the mechanisms behind the neuroprotective effects of dietary restriction.
