Aging is a natural part of life that everyone experiences, but it often comes with challenges, including a higher risk of diseases like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s.
Scientists are increasingly discovering that a key factor behind these age-related diseases is a breakdown in the body’s metabolism—the complex network of biochemical reactions that keeps our cells functioning.
Metabolism is crucial for keeping our cells healthy and balanced. It helps our cells grow, repair themselves, and perform essential functions.
However, as we age, this finely tuned system can start to break down, leading to disruptions in cellular balance, known as homeostasis.
When homeostasis is disrupted, it can trigger a chain reaction of health problems, contributing to the aging process and the onset of various diseases.
One of the main questions researchers are exploring is whether aging causes metabolic decline or if disrupted metabolism speeds up aging—or possibly both.
My lab, which focuses on the relationship between metabolism, stress, and aging, is working to understand how these processes interact and how we might be able to promote healthier aging.
A dysfunctional metabolism is linked to several markers of aging, such as the shortening of telomeres (the protective ends of chromosomes) and genomic instability (the tendency for mutations to occur).
It also affects how well our mitochondria function (the energy producers in cells), how cells divide, and how our gut microbes stay balanced. All of these factors can contribute to age-related diseases, especially neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s.
For example, our research has shown that in aging mice, the cells in bone marrow—where many immune cells are made—lose their ability to produce and store energy properly. This energy deficiency leads to increased inflammation and worsens cognitive decline.
However, by targeting a specific protein involved in this process, we were able to restore energy production, reduce inflammation, and improve brain function in these mice.
In another study, we discovered a link between disrupted glucose metabolism and neurodegenerative diseases.
We found that a drug originally designed to treat cancer could potentially be repurposed to treat Alzheimer’s by targeting an enzyme called IDO1. This enzyme plays a key role in breaking down tryptophan, an amino acid, but too much of its byproduct, kynurenine, can harm brain cells.
By inhibiting IDO1, we were able to restore glucose metabolism in brain cells and improve memory and brain function in mice with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms.
This suggests that targeting metabolism could help slow or even reverse the progression of diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia.
The impact of metabolic decline on aging and neurological disorders is profound, affecting not just individuals but also families and the broader economy.
While many treatments focus on managing symptoms, our research highlights the potential of addressing these diseases earlier by targeting the underlying metabolic issues.
This approach could lead to healthier aging and better quality of life for many people.
If you care about health, please read studies that vitamin D can help reduce inflammation, and vitamin K could lower your heart disease risk by a third.
For more health information, please see recent studies about new way to halt excessive inflammation, and results showing foods that could cause inflammation.
