Title: Calorie Restriction Shown to Improve Muscle Health and Promote Longevity, New Study Finds
Date: October 13, 2023
Contact: [email protected], 301-496-1752
Reducing overall calorie intake has been found to have rejuvenating effects on muscles and activate biological pathways that contribute to overall good health, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and their colleagues. The study, published in Aging Cell, suggests that calorie restriction, done without depriving the body of essential nutrients, can delay the progression of age-related diseases in both animal models and humans.
The research team analyzed data from participants in the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) study, which aimed to determine whether moderate calorie restriction had similar health benefits in humans as observed in animal studies. Over a two-year period, participants were encouraged to reduce their daily caloric intake by 25%, although the group on average achieved a 12% reduction. Despite this modest reduction, the researchers discovered that most of the biological pathways associated with healthy aging were still activated.
Lead author and NIA Scientific Director Luigi Ferrucci, M.D., Ph.D., stated, “A 12% reduction in calorie intake is very modest. This kind of small reduction in calorie intake is doable and may make a big difference in your health.”
The study further investigated the effects of calorie restriction on muscle health. Previous research indicated that individuals on calorie restriction experienced weight loss and muscle mass reduction within the first year, but maintained their strength in the second year. This suggests that calorie restriction improves the amount of force generated by each unit of muscle mass, known as muscle specific force.
Thigh muscle biopsies were taken from CALERIE participants to analyze the impact of calorie restriction on gene expression. By isolating messenger RNA (mRNA) from muscle samples, the researchers identified the specific genes that were upregulated, producing more mRNA, and those that were downregulated, producing less mRNA, during calorie restriction. The findings indicated that calorie restriction influenced the same gene pathways in humans as it did in mice and non-human primates.
The study revealed that reducing caloric intake upregulated genes responsible for energy generation and metabolism, while downregulating inflammatory genes, thus leading to decreased inflammation. As inflammation is strongly linked to aging, calorie restriction represents a powerful approach to preventing the pro-inflammatory state seen in many older individuals.
Dr. Ferrucci emphasized the significance of the findings: “Since inflammation and aging are strongly coupled, calorie restriction represents a powerful approach to preventing the pro-inflammatory state that is developed by many older people.”
Supported by the NIA Intramural Research Program and several NIH grants, this research provides further evidence of the benefits of calorie restriction in promoting muscle health and longevity.
For more information about the study, please refer to: Das JK, et al. Calorie restriction modulates the transcription of genes related to stress response and longevity in human muscle: The CALERIE study. Aging Cell. 2023; Oct 12:e13963. doi: 10.1111/acel.13963.
About the National Institute on Aging (NIA):
The NIA is the leading U.S. federal government agency dedicated to conducting and supporting research on aging and the health and well-being of older individuals. Visit the NIA website for more information and resources on aging-related topics.
About the National Institutes of Health (NIH):
As the nation’s medical research agency, NIH comprises 27 institutes and centers that conduct and support medical research, investigations into the causes, treatments, and cures for various diseases, and efforts to improve public health. For more information on NIH programs, please visit www.nih.gov.
Disclaimer: This news release has been provided by the National Institute on Aging (NIA). AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of this information or for the use of any information provided through the EurekAlert system.
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