A simple way to slow down aging and make it healthier
Study finds that moderate calorie restriction can alter gene expression.Scientists investigated the biological mechanisms caused by calorie restriction. They found that moderate calorie reduction improves muscle health and activates biological pathways important for good health.
Previously, scientists tested reducing calorie intake without depriving the body of essential nutrients in animal models. It was found to have a positive effect on skeletal muscle and slow the progression of age-related diseases. However, scientists had little information about the long-term effects of calorie restriction on human health.
Researchers from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) analyzed the biological mechanisms that underlie calorie restriction. The aim was to find out whether they resulted in the same positive health effects in humans as in animals.
Analyzing data from participants in the CALERIE (CALERIE) Eclimental Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reduced Energy Intake study, the researchers found - limiting caloric intake by 12% over a two-year period was enough to activate most of the biological pathways associated with healthy aging.
"Such a small reduction in calorie intake is feasible and has important health benefits," said Luigi Ferrucci, corresponding author of the study.
The researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of RNA sequencing on skeletal muscles collected from CALERIE participants. They examined how gene expression changed as a result of calorie restriction for two years compared to a control group.
Ninety participants agreed to a thigh muscle biopsy, a preliminary study, and one- and two-year follow-up during the study period.
After the experiment, the researchers isolated mRNA (mRNA) from the samples and determined the protein sequence of each. They used this information and figured out what was happening to the genes in the study participants.
The scientists confirmed that calorie restriction affected the same gene pathways in humans as in mice and non-human primates.
Compared to the control group, the expression of genes that are "responsible" for cell death, muscle repair and growth, and circadian rhythms changed in subjects who restricted calorie intake. Some genes included controlled for energy production, metabolism and reducing inflammation.
The study is published in the journal Aging Cell.