What is the role of hormone optimization in health and longevity?

Introduction

Hormone optimization plays a significant role in health and longevity. Various hormones, including growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and thyroid hormones (THs), have been studied extensively to understand their impact on aging and lifespan. This synthesis aims to present the key insights from multiple research papers on how hormone optimization influences health and longevity.

Key Insights

Reduced Growth Hormone (GH) Signaling and Longevity:
- Reduced GH signaling is associated with increased lifespan and improved healthspan in mice, including delayed cognitive decline and reduced age-related diseases .
- GH-deficient and GH-resistant animals show enhanced stress resistance, improved insulin signaling, and reduced inflammation, contributing to extended longevity .
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) and Longevity:
- Downregulation of the GH/IGF-1/insulin pathway is beneficial for lifespan extension in various organisms, including worms, flies, and mice .
- The role of IGF-1 in human longevity is controversial, with some studies suggesting it may help in extending lifespan through better physiological reserve capacity and reduced cell senescence .
Thyroid Hormones (THs) and Longevity:
- Hypothyroid states may favor longevity by reducing metabolism rate, oxidative stress, and cell senescence.
- Data from human studies involving centenarians suggest that lower TH levels might be associated with increased lifespan, although the impact of chronic diseases and medications needs further elucidation.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and Longevity:
- Testosterone replacement therapy in men with late-onset hypogonadism increases survival rates by 9-10% over five years.
- Estrogen replacement therapy in post-menopausal women results in a 2.6% increase in survival over five years.
Genetic Variants and GH Sensitivity:
- The d3-GHR genetic variant, which modulates GH sensitivity, is associated with increased male longevity and taller stature.
- This variant shows a significant positive trend with age in long-lived individuals, suggesting a role in human longevity.

Conclusion

Hormone optimization, particularly through reduced GH signaling and careful management of IGF-1 and TH levels, appears to play a crucial role in extending lifespan and improving healthspan. While animal studies provide strong evidence for the benefits of reduced GH and IGF-1 signaling, the impact on human longevity remains less clear and requires further research. Hormone replacement therapies show potential benefits in specific populations, but their long-term effects on longevity need more investigation. Overall, hormone optimization holds promise for promoting healthy aging and extending lifespan.

What is the role of hormone optimization in health and longevity?

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Reduced growth hormone signaling and methionine restriction: interventions that improve metabolic health and extend life span

Reduced growth hormone signaling and methionine restriction both improve metabolic health and extend life span, with potential mechanisms underlying their effectiveness in enhancing healthy aging.

Somatotropic signaling: trade-offs between growth, reproductive development, and longevity.

Deficit in growth hormone signaling delays aging and extends longevity in laboratory mice, with reduced body size and reduced fecundity as trade-offs for extended longevity.

Thyroid hormones in extreme longevity

Thyroid hormones may play a role in longevity by reducing metabolism rate, oxidative stress, and cell senescence, but their impact in older patients with chronic diseases remains unclear.

Impact of Growth Hormone-Related Mutations on Mammalian Aging

Growth hormone-related mutations in mice lead to healthier, longer lifespans due to improved genome maintenance, stress resistance, glucose homeostasis, and thermogenesis.

Hormone replacement therapy and longevity

Hormone replacement therapy increases longevity, particularly in men with late onset hypogonadism and post-menopausal women.

The GH receptor exon 3 deletion is a marker of male-specific exceptional longevity associated with increased GH sensitivity and taller stature

The d3-GHR genetic variant polymorphism positively affects male longevity by modulating growth hormone responsiveness throughout life and promoting taller stature.

Growth Hormone Deficiency: Health and Longevity.

Growth hormone deficiency in mice and humans can lead to extended longevity and healthspan, potentially due to low residual secretion and reduced circulating IGF-1 levels.

ROLE of IGF-1 System in the Modulation of Longevity: Controversies and New Insights From a Centenarians' Perspective

The IGF-1 system may play a role in extending lifespan through slower cell growth and repair activities, potentially benefiting healthy aging and rehabilitation medicine.

Hormonal Influences on Aging and Lifespan

IGF-1, insulin, and homologous signaling play a crucial role in regulating aging and lifespan in various species, with potential implications for human health.

Nuclear hormone receptors: Roles of xenobiotic detoxification and sterol homeostasis in healthy aging

Nuclear hormone receptors play a crucial role in xenobiotic detoxification and sterol homeostasis, potentially contributing to healthy aging and lifespan in invertebrates.

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