Episode #52: The Science of mTOR: How It Impacts Aging and Disease

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Health Fundamentals podcast, Dr. Chad Woolner delves into the intriguing realm of mTOR, highlighting its significant role in human health and longevity. Initially narrating the discovery of mTOR in the 1990s, how it started with a discovery that derived from soil samples on Easter Island, Dr. Woolner highlights the journey from Rapamycin's antifungal uses to a better understanding of its central role in chronic health conditions.

The conversation advances into the multifaceted ways lifestyle choices impact mTOR activity within our cells. Woolner dives into actionable steps one can take, advocating for caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, exercise, and the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids as potent ways to modulate this complex to benefit our health and possibly extend life expectancy.

Key Takeaways:

• mTOR, the mammalian target of rapamycin, is a protein complex involved in aging and chronic health conditions like cancer and metabolic dysfunction.
• Lifestyle changes can positively or negatively influence mTOR activity, offering a measure of control over health outcomes.
• Restricting caloric intake or practicing fasting can be beneficial in positively modulating mTOR.
• Regular exercise can transiently decrease mTOR activity, leading to beneficial metabolic adaptations.
• Increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids can help balance the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, reducing inflammation and positively influencing mTOR pathways.

Notable Quotes:

1. "And the power to make those changes lies within you. I'm here to guide you back to the basics, to the very core of what it means to live well."
2. "You have a very, very high degree of control over the expression of something that is very intimately involved with the aging process."
3. "Perhaps one of my biggest frustrations is one of the conversations that has massively gotten lost… is this idea somehow, some way, that calories don't really matter."
4. "We can take a higher level of control over the outcome of all of these different things… by making lifestyle interventions to positively express mTOR."
5. "The best diet recommendations ultimately are going to be those that the individual is willing to follow."

Resources:

No additional resources or references were mentioned explicitly in the transcript.

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Encouragement to Audience: If you're eager to learn simple yet powerful ways to take charge of your health and longevity, listen to the full episode to harness the insights shared by Dr. Chad Woolner on mTOR. Stay tuned for more episodes of the Health Fundamentals podcast, where we continue to unravel the complexities of health and wellness, guiding you towards a life lived optimally.