Activate FOXO3 — The Gene That Helps You Age Well
Activate FOXO3 — The Gene That Helps You Age Well
Written by: Clement Ng, Nutritionist of HealthPro
Introduction
Geroprotectors, compounds that act to slow down the aging process and delay the onset of age-related diseases, have emerged as means to prolong healthspan in the aging population
Central to these geroprotectors is FOXO3, a geroprotective gene that has been consistently associated with human longevity
Studies have shown FOXO3 to play an essential role to slow down aging by being a significant regulator of cellular stress resistance, DNA repair, and cell cycle
What are FOXO genes?
FOXO genes, or Forkhead Box O genes, are a group of genes that play a significant role in regulating longevity-related functions including cellular homeostasis, stress resistance
FOXO genes encode transcription factors known as FOXO proteins that bind to specific regions on DNA to turn specific genes on or off
Insights of FOXO3
Research on FOXO proteins, particularly FOXO3, has discovered its multifaceted role not only in human longevity, but also in all-cause mortality
Longevity: FOXO3 are associated with extremely long lives and are called ‘protective genes’ as they enhance protective functions such as supporting antioxidant defence and stimulating cellular repair
Cancer: FOXO3 is recognised as a tumour suppressor as its inactivation can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and poor survival rate among cancer patients
Cardiovascular Disease: Alterations of FOXO3 gene is associated with lower incidence of cardiovascular disease
Therefore, FOXO3 represents the most potent gene to target in promoting healthy longevity
FOXO3-activating nutraceuticals
As FOXO3 becomes increasingly recognised as a longevity gene, it is important to identify the compounds that contribute to its activation to promote healthy longevity
While pharmaceuticals like metformin and vorinostat are found to activate FOXO3, nutraceuticals are also proven to be potent FOXO3 activators and should be prioritised in daily life.
Below are some of the nutraceuticals proven to extend lifespan in a FOXO3-dependant manner
· AMPK (AMP-activated Protein Kinase)
· Phosphatidylcholine
· NAD (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)
· PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone)
· Resveratrol
· Curcumin
· Quercetin
· EGCG (Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate)
· Astaxanthin
· Melatonin
· Fisetin
Factors Influencing FOXO3
While FOXO3 works like a highly calibrated sensor that responds to different stimuli within the microenvironment of a cell, it can be affected by lifestyle factors and food choices
For instance, food rich in omega-3 such as salmon and mackerel and sources of antioxidants including berries, nuts, and leafy greens are also found to enhance FOXO3 activity. In addition, dark chocolate and green tea which are high in polyphenols also contribute to the activation of FOXO3
Hence, the incorporation of a balanced diet consisting of these nutrient-packed foods is significant in promoting longevity via the action of FOXO3
Application
As life expectancy increases, the risk of suffering from age-related diseases also increases in the absence of an effective preventative approach
Although a healthy diet is critical in enhancing the body’s protective mechanism by sustaining FOXO3 activity and support cellular stress resistance
Thus, supplementation of the FOXO3-activating nutraceuticals becomes a practical way to support longevity at the cellular level.
As such, LifeExtension NAD+ Cell Regenerator™ and Resveratrol Elite™ becomes a friendly option as it provides 4 nutraceuticals including NAD, Resveratrol, Quercetin, and Fisetin in one product.
The formula activates the sirtuin longevity genes, maintain telomere length for continuous repair and hasten removal of senescent cells which would otherwise cause inflammation.
The ingredients are also FOXO3-activating compounds that work synergistically in activating FOXO3 to enhance cellular resilience and promote healthy aging.
Besides, the product also supports energy metabolism, cardiovascular health, and overall vitality, making it a convenient choice to maintain longevity from within.
References
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