What is mTOR?
Mammalian Target of Rapamycin or mTOR is nutrient sensing protein kinase and an important factor in health, growth, cancer and longevity.
mTOR is the body’s main growth pathway that promotes muscle growth, cell replication, and anabolism. There are two mTOR complexes mTORC1 and mTORC2.
Some people fear mTOR, as is linked to some cancers under certain circumstances as mTOR is anabolic. This is usually when there is mTOR dysfunction or disease already present. Over stimulation of mTOR in some species can shorten lifespan.
INHIBITINNG mTOR
- mTOR is inhibited and AMPK is activated in times of nutrient scarcity.
- Fasting lowers glucose, insulin, and suppresses mTOR while raising AMPK.
- This is the best and most effective method of inhibiting mTOR. This also stimulates autophagy (breaking down of old damaged cells) and promotes ketosis.
- Calorie restriction lowers mTOR and promotes autophagy
- Exercise inhibits mTORC1 in liver and fat cells, but not muscle cells
- Curcumin, Resveratrol, Rhodiola rosea and metformin inhibit mTOR
ACTIVATING mTOR
- Being in a fed state with nutrient abundance (protein, carbohydrates, fats) activates mTOR as nutrients need to be sent/partitioned to the correct locations in the body. This is the main way mTOR is activated
- Glucose, insulin, IGF-1 all promote mTOR activation.
- Amino acids (particularly leucine) promote mTORC1 activity, without affecting mTORC2 activity
- Mechanical stimuli from resistance exercise, increases the levels of mTORC1
- Testosterone and androgens can also promote mTOR activation and induce muscle hypertrophy.
SUMMARY
mTOR isn’t good or bad, it is about balance. Too much mTOR all the time is not a good idea. Not enough mTOR will affect lean muscle mass and cellular repair. I find the best way to balance mTOR is to incorporate fasting into my lifestyle.
