Learn about brain health and nootropics to boost brain function
Klotho is a protein that plays a role in intelligence and longevity. Read on to learn about genetic and environmental factors that may increase it. Klotho is a protein that circulates in the blood and brain throughout life. It declines with age, in conjunction with cognitive deficits [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. According to some research, it plays a role in longevity [ 5 , 6 ]. People with genetic variants with higher levels of Klotho had lower rates of heart disease in one study [ 8 ]. Klotho suppresses insulin and IGF-1 pathways in mice. It suppresses the production of biologically active vitamin D (decreases 1alpha-hydroxylase) [ 9 , 10 ]. Klotho may also enhance antioxidant balance [ 11 ]. Mouse Studies on Klotho The below findings should guide further investigational efforts, but they should not be interpreted as supportive of any health effect of Klotho protein in humans. According to the observations of some researchers, some mice bred for higher levels of Klotho : Doubled GluN2B levels (NMDAR subunit) in the mouse hippocampus [ 13 ]. GluN2B enhances cognition [ 14 , 15 , 16 ] and dysfunction of this subunit contributes to Alzheimer’s [ 13 , 17 ]. According to other observations, some mice bred to have lower levels of Klotho experience : Increased production of Calcitriol / Active vitamin D and higher blood calcium and phosphorous, which might be the cause of premature aging in one study [ 10 ]. Increased ADH and Aldosterone [ 22 ]. One study says that the excessive formation of Calcitriol in Klotho-deficient mice results in volume depletion outside cells, which contributes significantly to the shortening of life span [ 22 ]. The role of Klotho protein in human health and disease is not fully clear. […]
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