A Single Hormone That Can Help Increase Lifespan Has Been Identified in Mice - ScienceAlert

In recent years, studies have shown that FGF21 responds to protein restriction in male mice, improving energy expenditure and glucose tolerance while reducing body weight.

"Indeed, mice that are FGF21 deficient are not only resistant to the health [benefits] of [protein restriction], but they also exhibit early-onset weight loss, increased frailty, and reduced lifespan when fed a low-protein diet," the authors write.

When male mice had their FGF21 gene knocked out and then were fed a low-protein diet, their natural lifespan was reduced compared to normal mice fed the same diet.

In short, the findings suggest that protein restriction reduces frailty in normal mice as they age, and that this process is controlled via the FGF21 signaling pathway.

"Our data suggest that FGF21 talks to the brain, and that without this signal the mouse doesn't 'know' that it is eating a low-protein diet.