Scientists Say Eating Less Can Extend Lifespan, But There’s a Hidden Drawback

Reducing calorie intake and regularly delaying meals could be an effective approach to extending lifespan, but there may be trade-offs. A large U.S. study involving nearly 1,000 mice indicates that while food restriction leads to metabolic changes and lower body mass, these effects could pose health risks for certain individuals.

Numerous studies have consistently shown that reducing calorie intake extends the lifespan of various animals, including monkeys, fruit flies, mice, and nematodes. However, due to ethical and logistical challenges in human research, it’s unclear if the same applies to humans.

Observational studies on less extreme calorie restrictions, like intermittent fasting, suggest dietary limitations may offer benefits that reduce the risk of premature death. Health studies also indicate potential benefits like reduced weight, body fat, and lower cardiometabolic risks, which could contribute to longer lifespans. However, small sample sizes and short study durations make it difficult to directly link these factors to lifespan extension.

Study Reveals Impact of Calorie Restriction and Intermittent Fasting on Lifespan of Mice

In a recent study, researchers evaluated the effects of varying levels of calorie restriction and intermittent fasting on 960 genetically diverse female mice. The results confirmed earlier findings that moderate hunger leads to slightly longer lives. Mice with the most significant calorie reduction lost nearly a quarter of their weight by 18 months, compared to those on a regular diet, who gained over a quarter of their body weight. Notably, the heavily-restricted mice lived about 9 months longer on average, a 35% increase in lifespan.

Variability in Lifespan Among Calorie-Restricted Mice

The averages don’t capture the full variation within each calorie-restricted group. While some mice on strict diets lived significantly longer than their peers, many died at different ages. It seemed as though certain negative factors outweighed the potential benefits of a reduced-calorie diet for some individuals.

In fact, the mice that retained the most weight within the calorie-restricted groups were the ones that lived longer, indicating that metabolic regulation likely isn’t the reason for their increased lifespan. Genetics, according to the study, played a much larger role in determining longevity. Mice that held onto weight during stressful situations and those with more white blood cells and less variation in red blood cell size were more likely to live longer.

In simple terms, resilient and well-equipped mice had a better chance of surviving life’s challenges and living longer. The exact reason why fasting or calorie reduction helped some mice extend their lifespan remains uncertain, but it appears to involve more than just weight loss or metabolism.

While there are clear differences between mice and humans, this study invites us to reconsider how we view the relationship between diet, health, and longevity. That said, dietary restrictions still have a role in maintaining a healthy metabolism. Even if genes ultimately determine our lifespan, staying healthy is likely just as important as living longer, if not more so.

Read the original article on: Science Alert

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