The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Dietary Methionine Restriction.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of preclinical animal and mechanistic research without systematic review methods or human clinical data.
PubMed 35588443 · doi:10.1146/annurev-nutr-062320-111849
What was done
This narrative review summarizes the history, physiological effects, and nutrient-sensing signaling mechanisms associated with dietary methionine restriction (MR) since its initial description in 1993.
What was found
The abstract reports that limiting methionine intake to 20% of normal levels extended longevity by ~30% in rats. Methionine restriction also produced increases in energy intake and expenditure, limited fat deposition, reduced tissue and circulating lipids, and enhanced insulin sensitivity. Transcriptional activation of hepatic fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) was identified as a key mediator linking methionine restriction to many components of its metabolic phenotype.
Why it matters
Elucidating the pathways through which methionine restriction activates FGF21 and improves metabolic health may guide the development of targeted therapeutic diets.
Limits
The findings described in the abstract are based on preclinical rodent and mechanistic models, not human trials. Because this is a narrative review, it does not provide systematic search methods, pooled effect estimates, or sample sizes.
Cited by
- supports Essential amino acids such as methionine increase fecundity but are negatively associated with longevity.