Study Finds Calorie Restriction Slows Aging In Mice

A new study recently detailed in Molecular & Cellular Proteomics has found that calorie restriction may slow cellular aging, a conclusion that isn't entirely new — we've seen studies over the past handful of years that detail similar findings. In particular, calorie restriction appears to positively impact ribosomes, the so-called protein-maker of a cell. Slowing down ribosome production lends more time for repair, and, it turns out, slowing down production is as simple as eating less.

The study's senior author John Price of Brigham Young University went on to say, "The ribosome is a very complex machine, sort of like your car, and it periodically needs maintenance to replace the parts that wear out the fastest. When tires wear out, you don't throw the whole car away and buy new ones. It's cheaper to replace the tires."

When given a nutrient-dense diet with a 35-percent reduction in calories, lab mice experienced "real biochemical changes that slowed down the rate of aging," according to Price. This was in comparison to a group of lab mice given unlimited food access.

The observed benefits of calorie restriction were numerous, and included decreased incidences of disease, as well as remaining youthful for longer periods of time, boosting the qualities of their (prolonged) life. The mice were also described as being more energetic than their unlimited-eating brethren.

Still, people are advised to keep in mind that calorie restriction won't stop aging forever, nor has it been tested as a way to stave off aging in humans. As always, people are advised to make sensible food choices, and what choices we make may one day be influenced by research like this.

SOURCE: EurekAlert