Decoding Aging Through Nitrogen Containing Compounds: A Nutrigenomic Insight
Our bodies are complex systems, and a fascinating area of research, called nutrigenomics, explores how the food we eat interacts with our genes. Recent insights highlight the significant role of nitrogen-containing compounds, such as amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), polyamines, and nitric oxide, in how we age. These molecules are not just basic nutrients; they are actively involved in vital cellular processes like making new proteins, ensuring our cells’ energy factories (mitochondria) work correctly, and managing oxidative stress, which is damage caused by harmful molecules.
When the way our bodies handle these nitrogen compounds is disrupted, it can speed up cellular decline, leading to issues with maintaining protein balance (proteostasis), energy production, and our natural defenses against damage. Researchers have found that these compounds interact with important internal sensors in our cells, known as mTOR and AMPK pathways, which detect nutrient levels and adjust cell activity accordingly. They also influence “epigenetic regulators,” which are like switches that turn genes on or off without changing the DNA itself. These interactions impact crucial functions such as DNA repair, cellular “self-cleaning” (autophagy), and inflammation.
Understanding how to optimize the metabolism of these nitrogen compounds offers exciting possibilities for developing targeted nutritional strategies. The goal is to enhance our “health span” – the period of life spent in good health – and mitigate the effects of aging, potentially paving the way for new approaches to promote longevity and well-being.
Source: link to paper