Publications by authors named "Megan Finke"
Heat waves pose a substantial and increasing risk to public health. Heat health early warning systems (HHEWSs) and response plans are increasingly being adopted to alert people to the health risks posed by days of extreme heat and recommend protective behaviors. However, evidence regarding the effectiveness of HHEWSs remains limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLow-protein diets promote metabolic health in rodents and humans, and the benefits of low-protein diets are recapitulated by specifically reducing dietary levels of the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Here, we demonstrate that each BCAA has distinct metabolic effects. A low isoleucine diet reprograms liver and adipose metabolism, increasing hepatic insulin sensitivity and ketogenesis and increasing energy expenditure, activating the FGF21-UCP1 axis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Protein-restricted (PR) diets have been shown to enhance health and lifespan across various species, but the specific elements responsible for these benefits, particularly branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), are being investigated.
- Recent research indicates that lowering dietary BCAAs—leucine, isoleucine, and valine—improves survival rates and metabolic health in specific mouse models when initiated in midlife, leading to a notable 30% increase in lifespan among male mice.
- The findings suggest that BCAA restriction could be a promising strategy for promoting healthy aging, emphasizing its potential as a practical intervention.