Fat is a Direct Route to Aging

March 1, 2004

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People who practice calorie restriction are betting that's

the case [that they will stay young; live longer], although

it's never been proven in a study to be true for humans.

But worms, mice and primates all have been shown to appear

to be younger on severe diets. Even after calorie-restricted

animals die, they appear young physically.

" They [CR Animals] blow right past maximum number of months

or years they're supposed to live, " said. " When they

finally die, researchers can barely find out reasons why

they died. Their systems and all of their physical aspects

appear to be that of a much, much younger animal. "

The effects of calorie restriction are remarkable,

researchers say, because the process protects all of the

cells in the body.

" A major point about calorie restriction is that it should

simply be viewed as something that makes you live longer

but also an antidote of many diseases associated with

aging, " including Alzheimer's, diabetes, cardiovascular

disease and osteoporosis, Guarente said.

The whole-body, or systemic, effect of calorie restriction

led the MIT researchers directly to their next project.

Guarente's lab will study the relationship between diet,

fat and aging. A key outcome of calorie restriction, the

researchers figure, is the disappearance of fat. And fat

cells make hormones, which act systemically.

" Fat is a direct route connecting diet to the rate of aging

of all cells, " Guarente said.

Message: Stay CR skinny.

-- Warren

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