Worms fed a small amount of glucose had a 20% shorter lifespan, according to University of California at San Francisco researchers. The effect involves insulin signals, which block other life-extending molecules. Humans and worms have similar insulin-signaling pathways.
How It Works in The Lab
Cyntihia Kenyon, who led the worm research, explained that insulin-signaling channels were discovered in the 1990s that doubled the lifespan of worms. These systems were completely blocked by added sugar in the worms' diet. The channels transport glycerol, a substance the body produces in the absence of glucose. Added sugar results in fewer of these channels(1).
Earlier, it was thought that blocking these channels might help blood sugar control in type II diabetics; however, this research makes it clear the channels are doing other beneficial things. That impacts drugs now in development and casts doubt on current medications designed to lower blood sugar by increasing the amount of sugar taken up by body tissues(1).
What It Means
Further research is needed to study this mechanism in mice and humans, but there is good reason to believe a low carbohydrate diet, also known as a low glycemic diet, that is recommended for diabetics has benefits that include slower aging. Added sugar accounts for 20% of daily calories of most healthy persons in Europe and the United States. Sugar deprivation increases oxygenation of tissues and defends cells against free radicals.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center showed that volunteers who ate less than 20 grams of carbohydrates, attended meetings with counselors and exercised lost weight and 95% were able to reduce or discontinue type II diabetes medications(2).
Calorie restriction extends the lifespan of mice. The mechanism may be due to its influence on insulin, involving the glycerol pathways which were responsible for longevity in worms. According to Dr. Joseph Mercola of Mercola.com, people can use this information to devise a strategy of moderate dietary changes that benefit their health: cutting sugars and most grains out of the diet. While desserts, sugary drinks, and refined starches should be avoided, high protein quinoa, teff, and seeds such as flax and chia are good substitutes(3). A diet of whole, unprocessed foods with plenty of fresh vegetables can, with regular exercise, help humans stay healthy and live longer.
Worms and humans have common insulin pathways. Sugar has been found to be destructive to worms; the implication is that it also shortens the lifespan of humans. Medications for type II diabetes could cause harm by interfering with glycerol channels and increasing sugar in body tissues. For blood sugar control, the elimination of sugar and starches has been studied and found to work. Healthy people may want to cut sugar and refined starch out of their diet.
References:
- Cell Press (2009, November 5). 'Spoonful Of Sugar' Makes The Worms' Life Span Go Down. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 25, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103121605.html
- Duke University Medical Center (2009, January 8). Low-carb Diets Prove Better At Controlling Type 2 Diabetes. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 25, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090105175326.htm
- Joseph Mercola, M.D., www.Mercola.com
Mary Earhart - Mary Earhart, RN, BSN, is a Licensed Midwife. She has written articles for professional journals and grants for non-profit agencies as ...
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