Low-calorie diet can prolong life
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Considerable low-calorie food can contribute to the prolongation of human life. This conclusion was made by scientific researchers from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, together with scientists from the National Institute of Aging.
The study was conducted on animals - namely, on rhesus monkeys: physiological features of rhesus monkeys have much in common with humans and are often used by scientists as a "model" of the human body.
Based on the results of the experiment, it was found that reducing the caloric content of the diet makes life longer and reduces the risk of developing age-related diseases.
A couple of large-scale and long-term experiments were launched in the late 80s of the last century.
One experiment, involving 76 macaques, was conducted at the University of Wisconsin.
The second experiment involving 121 macaques was conducted by scientists from the National Institute of Aging.
The results of the first and second studies were fundamentally different: in the first case, it appeared that calorie reduction improved the quality and life span of monkeys. In the second case, the scientists did not notice any influence of changes in nutrition on the life expectancy of the experimental monkeys.
Specialists decided to conduct additional analysis of information obtained from two experiments, since it was very important to determine the real cause of such contradictions.
As it turned out, the first and second studies were not absolutely identical and differed significantly from each other. For example, the National Institute of Aging monitored the effect of rations on young monkeys, despite the fact that life expectancy was considered in the perspective of more adults, or even older individuals. In addition, there were discrepancies in the composition of the diet and the list of food products. At the University of Wisconsin, monkeys were offered food with a rather high content of sugars, so differences in body weight of animals clearly showed.
Analyzing the differences between the studies, the scientific experts made an unambiguous conclusion that limiting the calorie content of the daily diet by 30% had a positive effect on the life expectancy of primates - which is approximately 2 years in male macaques and six years in female monkeys. At the same time, six monkeys turned out to be long-lived in their own way, since they lived more than forty years. At the same time, the limited caloric content reduced the risk of developing cancer and heart and vascular diseases.
Despite the fact that such studies on humans have not been conducted and are not even planned to be carried out, experts are inclined to believe that the results of the experiments will allow developing clear principles of dietary nutrition aimed at prolonging human life. However, for this, most likely, new research will be required, which can last for more than one decade. However, the end justifies the means, as one of the participants in this research project believes.
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