Can follistatin slow down the aging process?

Follistatin is a protein that plays a role in several biological processes, including muscle growth and cell proliferation. There is growing interest in the potential role of follistatin in slowing the aging process, especially due to its involvement in muscle mass and tissue repair.

Follistatin works by inhibiting myostatin, a protein that limits muscle growth. Research has shown that reducing myostatin through follistatin can increase muscle mass and improve muscle strength. Because muscle loss is an important aspect of aging (sarcopenia), it is believed that follistatin may be able to help slow this aspect of aging.

In addition to its effects on muscle tissue, there is evidence that follistatin may influence other aging-related processes. One study showed that follistatin can promote tissue and organ regeneration, suggesting that it may play a broader role in aging processes.

In summary, while there is promising evidence that follistatin may slow the aging process, there is no scientific evidence yet that it would slow aging. further research is needed to prove the exact mechanisms and effectiveness in clinical settings.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2647158/

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-07-15 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025