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    • Longevity “elixir”: have Chinese scientists found a way to extend life and improve health?
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    Longevity “elixir”: have Chinese scientists found a way to extend life and improve health?

    Pabio Posted on

    A team of Chinese scientists say they have discovered how a type of bile called lithocholic acid (LCA) can slow down aging in a way similar to how calorie restriction or fasting works.
    The team discovered that LCA, an acidic compound found naturally in humans and animals and produced in the liveris a metabolite that on its own can mimic the effects of starvation in mice, leading to muscle regeneration and even improved grip strength and running ability.

    The results of the study, led by Xiamen University, were published Thursday in two articles in the peer-reviewed journal Nature.

    During calorie restriction, LCA accumulates in mammals and activates the energy sensor enzyme AMPK, a master metabolic regulator.

    LCA is a natural bile produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder to aid digestion. Image: Shutterstock
    LCA is a natural bile produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder to aid digestion. Image: Shutterstock

    AMPK, which is naturally activated when glucose levels become low, is important for anti-aging because it regulates various cellular processes, including inflammation and neurodegeneration.

    Activating it without fasting amounts to inducing a state of pseudo-starvation.

    Pabio
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