Cr mimetic
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Caloric restriction mimetics try to mimic the effects of caloric restriction.
A CR (Caloric restriction) mimetic is a particular compound or molecule that may -- if successful -- enable organisms to derive many of the health and life-extending benefits noted in calorically restricted diets. If an efficacious CR mimetic is developed, it may allow an organism to feed ad libitum and (simultaneously) achieve a long lifespan. The efficacy of such compounds might, upon safe and successful testing in animal subjects, pave the way for substantial increases in human lifespan. Caloric restriction has also been shown to be effective in treating epilepsy and the mechanism of action is believed to be similar to that of the Ketogenic Diet to treat epilepsy. Recently the caloric memetics 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) and iodoacetate have been shown to have anti-epileptic properties as well[1].
Candidate compounds include the following
- Resveratrol is found in red wine and grapes. Many supplement companies market inexpensive concentrates.
- metformin mimics the gene expression of CR mice, and has extended mice's maximum life spans. It is already clinically approved to treat diabetes.
- Lipoic Acid (α-Lipoic Acid, Alpha Lipoic Acid, or ALA)
- 2-deoxy-D-glucose, or 2-DG. 2-DG interferes in glycolysis, starving a cell of fuel.
- Iodoacetate