How are Insulin and Langlebigkeit related?

The relationship between insulin and longevity is a cornerstone of aging research. Insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) regulate the insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway, which controls metabolism, growth, and stress resistance. Reduced IIS activity – through caloric restriction or genetic mutations – extends lifespan in model organisms like worms, flies, and mice. In humans, lower insulin levels and higher insulin sensitivity are associated with healthy aging, whereas chronic hyperinsulinemia (as in type 2 diabetes) promotes oxidative stress and inflammation, shortening lifespan. The context mentions GPX1 and NFE2L2, which are part of the antioxidant defense modulated by insulin: high insulin can suppress FOXO transcription factors that drive repair and stress resistance. However, human evidence is largely associative, not causal. A direct DNA test for insulin-related genes cannot reliably predict individual longevity. The interplay is complex, influenced by lifestyle, epigenetics, and the microbiome (e.g., FUT2 secretor status). In summary, insulin is a key regulator of aging, but translating findings from model organisms to humans requires caution.