Reducing caloric intake can help extend lifespan, but a new study published in the journal Nature reveals that the mice that lost the least weight on calorie-restricted diets lived the longest.
The research, conducted by scientists from The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor and Calico Life Sciences in San Francisco, involved 960 female mice with different genetic backgrounds. The mice were split into five groups, following different dietary regimens. One group was limited to 60% or 80% of their daily caloric intake. Another group maintained a fasting state for one or two consecutive days each week without any caloric restrictions, while the last group had unrestricted access to food.
The goal was to investigate whether well-known diet regimens, such as calorie restriction or intermittent fasting, can promote longevity. They noted that some individuals might experience reduced lifespans due to their genetic makeup. They examined which groups of people or mice benefit from the lifespan-extending effects of calorie restriction.
On average, the mice with no food restrictions lived about 25 months, while those on intermittent fasting lived an average of 28 months. The most excellent benefits were seen in mice whose calorie intake was reduced by 80% or 60% with lifespans of 30 months and 34 months. The research team initially anticipated some adverse effects, especially from the more extreme calorie reductions, but found that even those diets reliably extended lifespan across genetic groups.
Furthermore, they added that the mice that maintained similar weight, body fat percentage, and healthy immune cell function while restricting calories ultimately lived the longest. The findings suggest that reducing caloric intake can lower the risk of obesity and prediabetes; the mice that avoided significant weight loss tended to live the longest.
The study challenges the assumption that weight loss is always beneficial for longevity. While dietary changes can lead to some lifespan extension, not everyone is guaranteed longevity, mainly because genetic factors play a crucial role in lifespan. However, they concluded that despite the significant influence of genetics, maintaining a healthy weight by avoiding poor lifestyle habits can help maximize lifespan.
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