NIH Research Matters
April 21, 2006 Low-Calorie Diet May Slow Aging
NIH-funded Researchers at Louisiana State University studied 48 healthy men and women who did not have active lifestyles. They were randomly divided into 4 groups:
By the end of 6 months, there were changes in 2 important measures that have been linked to longer lives in humans. Fasting insulin levels were significantly lower in all 3 groups on the restricted-calorie diets. Core body temperature was reduced in both the calorie-restriction and calorie-restriction with exercise groups. The low-calorie diets may also affect some other measurements of metabolism that have been linked with living longer and aging. This study was a small pilot project for a long-term study called the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE). CALERIE, which is sponsored by NIH's National Institute on Aging (NIA), will test the effects of lowering caloric intake for 2 years in a larger number of people. It's set to start later this year.
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There's
been a lot of buzz on the web about using a low-calorie diet to live longer.
The technique works in creatures from fruit flies to rats, mice and monkeys,
but no one knows if it can do the same for people. A new study of overweight
people who cut their calories by 25% for 6 months found some promising lab results
that have been linked to longevity. The results aren't enough for any major conclusions,
but they point the way toward longer studies to see if low-calorie diets can
really slow the aging process in people.
