PREVIEW Aliquot #18: The dual nature of IGF-1: Striking a balance for optimal health

Insulin-like growth factor-1, or IGF-1 for short, is a protein that plays critical roles in major growth pathways in the human body. It influences nearly every tissue in the body, especially developmental growth, skeletal muscle and neurons. Emerging evidence suggests that IGF-1 also regulates the aging process. Overactivity of IGF-1 has been implicated in aging and age-related diseases, such as cancer. Balancing the beneficial and (sometimes) harmful effects of IGF-1 via exercise and fasting is critical to maintaining health. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• (00:00) Introduction
• (03:23) The role of both mTOR and the IGF-1 pathway in cellular growth and their regulation by amino acids (Peter Attia discussion)
• (11:50) Living longer as a function of preventing insidious damage to our cells and tissues
• (14:53) Growth hormone receptor deficiency is associated with a major reduction in pro-aging signaling, cancer, and diabetes in humans (Valter Longo discussion)
• (17:10) Effects of IGF-1 on human lifespan
• (23:01) Refeeding that follows fasting mimicking creates an environment that may be just right for the regeneration of healthy cells
• (25:55) The growth-longevity trade-off (Rhonda Patrick & Mike Maser discussion)

You can see the original full interview with Dr. Attia    You can see the original full interview with Dr. Longo   You can hear the original full interview with Dr. Rhonda Patrick and Mike Maser   Get more Aliquots! Become a FMF Premium member and get full access to our members-only podcast, The Aliquot, plus live Q&As with Rhonda, biweekly Science Digest emails, and more.   Learn more and sign up at: www.foundmyfitness.com/crowdsponsor