Calorie Restriction & Aging
Some people believe calorie restriction will help them live longer because it works for laboratory mice, worms, and flies. But now? 🎉 We finally have research in humans!! The study was done at Yale University with 200 volunteers. For the 2-year study, some participants were asked to restrict their usual caloric intake by 14% while others were not. Here’s what happened to those who restricted their calories: ➡️ Their thymus glands had less fat and more functional volume—effectively regenerated for better immune function. ➡️ They had dramatic changes in the gene expression in their fat tissue—suggesting a benefit to metabolic and inflammatory responses. ➡️ They had lower production of a protein called PLA2G7 that is produced by immune cells known as macrophages—suggesting protection against age-related inflammation. Basically, the research found mechanisms at play in humans that are very similar to what they have observed in mice. Mechanisms that may protect against some of the metabolic and immune changes of aging. Does this mean that calorie restriction is the holy grail for anti-aging? No ❎ But it means there might be something to it, and we’re one step closer to understanding it!
