A fashionable issue at a time when science, preventive medicine and awareness of healthy habits are advancing at great speed. Yes, nowadays The aim is not only to live longer, but to do so with quality of life. And the challenge that we face as a society is undoubtedly aging in a healthy way: reaching centenarians without cognitive deterioration and with reasonable physical autonomy.

In Spain, the life expectancy exceeds 83 yearsranking among the highest in the world thanks to the Mediterranean diet, the health system and a socially active lifestyle. This data reflects a global trend towards healthy agingwhich arouses interest both in the population and in researchers and health companies.

Klotho: a protein that promotes healthy aging and improves longevity

What if there was a protein capable of slowing it down and protecting our brain and heart? In this context, the doctor Borja Quirogaa doctor specializing in Necrology at the Hospital Universitario de La Princesa (Madrid), and author of the book ‘For my kidneys that today I eat well’ (Ed. Rosamerón), points out that this molecule exists, and is found in the kidneys. We talk about the Klotho proteinwhich is arousing growing interest in the scientific community for its direct relationship with aging and kidney health.

In a recent interview with Nutritionist Angela Quintas In the podcast ‘How do you eat?’, the specialist highlighted how this compound could become one of the keys to understanding and treating multiple diseases associated with aging.

Various studies have shown that increasing its levels increases life expectancy between 15% and 20% in animal models, in addition to improving both physical and cognitive health as we age.

It acts as a true biological shield: it protects against cellular deterioration and performs antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and regulatory functions of phosphorus metabolism, key elements to slow down aging processes such as sarcopenia, osteoporosis or cognitive disorders.

Quiroga explains that the Klotho protein was discovered at the end of the 90s, after verifying that mice that were deficient in this gene aged prematurely. “When Klotho levels decrease, oxidative stress, inflammation and deterioration of phosphocalcium metabolism increase, factors associated with the loss of kidney function and systemic aging,” says the expert.

This protein is mainly produced in the kidney and brainalthough its presence has also been detected in other tissues, suggesting a broader role in the regulation of body balance. According to Quiroga, its action goes beyond the kidney: it influences vitamin D metabolism, cardiovascular function, neuronal protection and even insulin sensitivity.

Physical exercise and ultra-processed foods, factors that influence the production of Klotho

«When does klotho go down? When I have kidney disease, that is why it is important to know if I have it, and in two situations that are within everyone’s reach. One, when I stop playing sports and when I do it again, I regenerate klotho. Be careful about that, is available to everyone. I believe that in sport you have to keep in mind, trying to do between 90 and 150 minutes of cardio exercise a week,” he explained, adding another 7-10 minutes of “isometric strength exercise.”

The specialist emphasizes that “the physical exercise regular, a anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables and omega-3, and a adequate rest “They can help maintain their expression.” The nephrologist explains that The person who eats a lot of ultra-processed food will age much more than the person who does not consume it, so a diet free of ultra-processed foods will be the key to preventing the aging of our body.

Although there are still no specific drugs that directly enhance the production of Klotho, several research groups are working on therapies that mimic its effect. The nephrologist concludes that Understanding how to modulate the Klotho protein could open the door to a new type of preventive medicinefocused not only on living longer, but on doing so with a better quality of life.