Dr. Eric Li's Blog

Worm study show that the two genes which control dauer stage (a kind of hibernation state when there is a lack of food, or over population and the worm enters a state that he the metabolic rate is almost zero). When slightly alter these genes to make it “weak mutation”, the worm can double life span, and still live actively and reproduce. It also doubles its youthful lifespan. It is believed that in human, the two similar hormones that control age clock is IGF-a and insulin.

Both IGF-1 and insulin bind on the same type of receptor. The higher the resting insulin, the more signal to aging clock. Therefore, everyone should monitor the trend of this ratio over time in their annual physicals. If the ratio changes, measures should be taken to bring it back to balance as soon as possible.

See article on Life Extension, June 2002, pp50.

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