AHS17

Nutrient sensing pathways are evolutionarily conserved metabolic pathways that enabled our ancestors to respond to changes in nutrient availability in ways that enhanced survival and promoted resilience. Among the pathways that will be highlighted are amino acid- and carbohydrate-sensing pathways that have been shown to be of central importance to metabolic regulation, aging and age-related diseases. Recent research in animal models has shown that specific nutritional approaches, such as fasting and protein restriction, can influence these pathways to increase stress resistance and extend healthspan. Nutrient-sensing pathways are also involved in the communication between the microbiome and the gut-immune-brain axis. Dietary approaches to modify these pathways may improve gut health, decrease intestinal permeability, reduce inflammation, and improve nervous system function.