Correctly dosed stress extends life

Cell damage is prevented or delayed

 Stress in the right dose can definitely have benefits. Northwestern University scientists http://www.northwestern.edu have shown that increased levels of certain protective proteins promote longevity. These proteins, the so-called molecular companions, react to stress in the cell. Acute stress triggers a cascaded response in cells leading to the repair or removal of damaged proteins, thus preventing or delaying cell damage. The results of the study were published in the journal Molecular Biology of the Cell http://www.molbiolcell.org published.

The biologist Richard I. Morimoto explained that occasional stress or persistently low stress levels can have a protective function. "The brief exposure to environmental or physiological stress is beneficial for the cell in the long term." These stressors include elevated temperatures, exposure to oxygen, bacterial and viral infections, and toxins such as heavy metals. The master protein heat shock factor recognizes the stress and reacts by activating genes that encode the molecular companions.

Morimoto studied the roundworm C. elegans with James F. Morley. When the heat shock factor was under-expressed in adult worms, longevity was suppressed. Increased expression resulted in an increase in lifespan. According to Morimoto, this heat shock response is common to all life forms on Earth.

Perhaps it should be remembered in this context that another study came up shortly before that stress shortens life. But read for yourself [here]

Source: Evanston [ pte ]