Calories Restriction (CR) Can Increase Your Lifespan and Reduce Risk of Aging-Related Diseases

In a study to examine the effects of calorie restriction (CR) on healthy individuals showed that cutting caloric intake can increase your lifespan by slowing the aging process and metabolism. The study also found that calorie restriction decreased systemic oxidative stress, which has been linked to various age-related neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, as well as chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes, and others.

During the study 53 Young (34 CR and 19 control), healthy individuals (Non-Obese) achieved a 15% calorie restriction (CR). The study also found that the CR resulted in more than 8 kg weight loss over 2 years among, whereas controls gained 1.8 kg. The study tested the theory that energy expenditure (EE) and its endocrine mediators are reduced with a CR diet over 2 years.

Energy Expenditure (EE) measured over 24 hours or during sleep was also reduced beyond weight loss (approximately 80-120 kcal/day), which indicated sustained metabolic adaptation over 2 years.  

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Although this study was not about diabetes, the potential benefits of this type of weight loss plan can help diabetic patients in both short-term and long-term caloric restriction. The study achieved a 15% reduction in overall calorie intake, which can be used to encourage diabetic patients to reduce calorie intake to lose weight for any number of metabolic disorders.

As this was one of the first studies to explore the effects of calorie restriction on humans, participants were relatively small and the duration was also very short in the context of a human lifespan. The biomarkers of aging were improved in study participants, which gives hope for more studies in this area. Next steps of the study include establishing robust biomarkers of human aging and examining the effects of calorie restriction in conjunction with antioxidant foods or substances like resveratrol, which mimic calorie restriction.

Source Publication: Metabolic Slowing and Reduced Oxidative Damage with Sustained Caloric Restriction Support the Rate of Living and Oxidative Damage Theories of Aging