As people age, the function of intestinal stem cells to maintain intestinal cell balance gradually declines. A team of researchers from the University of Helsinki has revealed a novel mechanism of action of intestinal stem cells in the process of adaptation to nutrition and aging. This finding has important implications for exploring how to maintain intestinal function in the elderly.
There is a consensus in the academic community that the balance of cells in the gut is tightly controlled, in which nutrition plays a key role: adequate nutrition can increase the total number of cells in the gut, while fasting can lead to a decrease in the number of cells. The ratio of cell types also changes with changes in nutritional status.
However, scientists still do not fully understand how the nutritional status of the gut controls stem cell division and differentiation, and how this nutritional adaptation changes with aging. The so-called nutritional adaptation refers to how nutrients guide the adjustment of cellular function.
Stem cell mTOR signaling guides the decision of cell fate in specific regions during enterotrophic adaptation
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240212171308.htm
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have discovered a new regulatory mechanism that directs the differentiation of intestinal stem cells when nutritional status changes. Nutrient-activated signaling pathways increase the size of stem cells in the Drosophila gut, and the size of these stem cells determines what type of cells they will differentiate into. For stem cells, the flexibility of their volume is crucial. This flexibility allows stem cells to differentiate appropriately based on their current nutritional status. Using intestinal cell imaging techniques, researchers found that nutritional adaptation to stem cell size and consequent differentiation differed in different areas of the gut.
Professor Jaakko Mattila from the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki said: "Our findings suggest that the regulation of intestinal stem cells is highly region-specific, which is more complex than previously thought. This has important implications for our understanding of the pathogenesis of intestinal diseases. ”
The researchers also found that as animals aged, their intestinal stem cells were significantly less responsive to changes in nutritional status. In older animals, stem cells are usually maintained in a larger state, which limits their ability to differentiate. However, when animals are fasted intermittently, the ability of stem cells to regulate size is better maintained in old age. Previous studies have shown that intermittent fasting can prolong animal lifespan, but current research suggests that improved stem cell function may be the basis for longer lifespan.
The researchers noted similarities in stem cell function, nutritional adaptation, and the mechanisms of the aging process between humans and fruit flies. Professor Ville Hietakangas of the Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Helsinki said: "We believe these findings have broad implications for understanding how to slow the loss of tissue function caused by aging by controlling the nutritional adaptation of stem cells. However, to fully understand the effects of this mechanism on human intestinal stem cells, we need more research information. Our research on the nutritional adaptation of stem cells is ongoing. ”
Schematic diagram of intestinal stem cells
These findings not only deepen our understanding of how intestinal stem cells respond to nutritional changes, but also provide possible intervention strategies through which it may be possible to delay or ameliorate the decline of intestinal function caused by aging.
With the progress of scientific research, new methods may be developed in the future to extend the healthy lifespan of humans by modulating the nutritional adaptation of intestinal stem cells. This study not only increases our understanding of basic biology, but may also shed new insights into the prevention and treatment of geriatric-related intestinal diseases.
How to perform intermittent fasting in middle-aged and older adults
First of all, it is necessary to know that intermittent fasting is a eating habit of alternating eating and fasting, with the main purpose of using the fasting period to make the body consume stored energy. This way of eating is not to make people hungry, but to set a planned fasting time.
There are two common types of intermittent fasting:
- The 16/8 rule: There are 16 hours of fasting and 8 hours of eating in a day.
- 5:2 diet: Have a normal diet 5 days a week, and try to eat less for the other 2 days.
For middle-aged and older adults, the following should be considered before starting intermittent fasting:
- Consult a doctor: Especially for older people who have health problems, are taking medication, or need a special diet.
- Gradually: You can start with a short period of fasting and slowly extend the fasting time to allow the body to adapt gradually.
- Listen to your body's responses: If you experience discomfort, dizziness, or symptoms of hypoglycemia during the fasting period, you should stop fasting promptly.
For middle-aged and older adults who want to try intermittent fasting, there are also the following recommendations:
- Eat a balanced diet: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat protein foods should be preferred, and if necessary, please refer to the [Dietary Guidelines for the Elderly in China].
- Stay hydrated: Adequate hydration is required throughout the day, including water and sugar-free tea, even during fasting.
- Divide your meals into meals: If you're having trouble fasting for long periods of time, consider dividing your food into smaller portions and eating them in portions.
- Adapting to a traditional diet: Because the timing of a traditional Chinese diet and intermittent fasting may not exactly coincide, older adults may choose to consult a doctor or dietitian to adjust their diet plan to ensure a balanced diet.
It is important to note that intermittent fasting is not suitable for everyone, and middle-aged and older adults should put health and well-being first when adopting this diet.