New research shows that cutting calories, not just meal timing, dramatically extends lifespan in mice, uncovering key genetic influences that may help tailor future aging therapies. Study: Dietary restriction impacts health and lifespan of genetically diverse mice . Image Credit: Shutterstock AI / Shutterstock.
com Intentionally reducing dietary energy intake while avoiding malnutrition is referred to as caloric restriction (CR). CR is associated with increased longevity in many animal species; however, the most effective form of dietary restriction (DR) for human health remains unclear. A recent study published I the journaln Nature explores caloric restriction and intermittent fasting (IF) in female mice.
CR vs. DR CR has been associated with delayed aging and extended lifespan. Due to compliance challenges with CR, other forms of DR, such as time-restricted feeding or IF, have been explored.
Regular fasting has been shown to be beneficial in mice despite unchanged overall energy intake. The health benefits of CR can be optimized by feeding at specific times of day, thus indicating that both caloric intake and feeding time influence these physiological responses. DR affects individuals differently based on their sex, genetics, body composition, weight, age, and existing health conditions.
Despite the potential benefits of DR on lifespan and healthy aging, few studies to date have evaluated the long-term health effects of DR and its safety and efficacy for certain patient pop.
