The Benefits of Protein Restriction, How Protein Affects Hormones & FGF21 | 52 - Cristal Hill

Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@optispan Check out Cristal's page at USC: https://gero.usc.edu/faculty/cristal-m-hill-phd/ Matt recently attended the 52nd annual meeting of the American Aging Association in Madison, Wisconsin and met with several people doing fascinating work in or adjacent to the geroscience field. One of these was Cristal Hill. Cristal is an Assistant Professor of Gerontology at the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, where she runs a lab focused on how dietary protein might affect adipose tissue (body fat) function, metabolic, and endocrine health during aging. Cristal received postdoctoral training at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center of Louisiana State University, a PhD in molecular biology from Southern Illinois University, and a B.S. in Animal Sciences from Tuskegee University. In this episode, Matt and Cristal discuss fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a hormone produced mainly in the liver that helps regulate metabolism and control how the body uses sugar and fat for energy. They also chat about FGF21's influence on food preferences, role in healthy aging and longevity, potential as an obesity treatment, and more, as well as the broader impact of protein restriction on health- and lifespan as we age. Some definitions: the term "wildtype" refers to the typical form of an organism or gene as it occurs in nature, and represents the standard or normal genetic makeup and phenotype against which mutants or genetically modified organisms are compared. A "knockout" is an organism in which a specific gene has been completely disabled or "knocked out" to study the gene's function by observing the differences between the knockout organism and a wildtype one. Finally, a "transgenic" organism is one that has had a gene or genes introduced into its DNA to give the organism new traits or abilities, such as resistance to diseases, or to study the effects of the introduced gene. DISCLAIMER: The information provided on the Optispan YouTube channel is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this channel. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this channel. The hosts and guests on this channel are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices. More places to find us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/mkaeberlein Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optispan https://www.optispan.life/