Another animal study: Life extension with 40% CR

[Guest guest]

A University at Buffalo study showed a 40% caloric restriction in rats

slowed their progression of physical disability with age. Researchers

attributed this increased lifespan to a reduction in the visceral fat

that can be responsible for inflammation leading to chronic disease.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=80982 & m=1NIEO30 & c=lqeudkujayvvlpc

full text:

Severely restricting calories could lead to longer life

By Clarisse Douaud

30/10/2007- A study out of the University at Buffalo has linked

severely restricting calories to slowing the progression of physical

disability in age, which could have lifespan implications if carried

over to humans.

The study, published in the October issue of Journals of Gerontology

Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, used a rat model

of life-time caloric restriction. The researchers attributed this

increased lifespan to a reduction in the visceral fat that can be

responsible for inflammation leading to chronic disease.

Not surprisingly, longevity and enhanced quality of life is the

ultimate aim of most research into diet and nutrition, but very few

studies actually achieve such a link. The trick now will be to see if

it can be carried over to humans - something the researchers say is

highly unlikely due to the extremely restrictive nature of such a diet.

" This is the first study to report that caloric restriction reduced

production in visceral fat of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and

enhanced performance on overall physical function assessments, " said

Tongjian You, assistant professor of exercise and nutrition sciences

at UB School of Public Health and Health Professions and principal

investigator in the study.

Supported with grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH),

the study was conducted with male rats in three age groups. These

ranged from 18, to 24 and 29 months, which are comparable to 50 to 70

years in humans.

The rats were fed either a normal or 40-percent calorie-restricted

diet from birth, and then put through tests to determine grip

strength, muscle tone, stamina and swimming speed. In addition, data

were collected on varying kinds of body mass and fat-to-lean ratios,

as well as the amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the chronic

inflammation marker, C-reactive protein.

According to the study, the results indicated the animals on the

restricted calorie diet had significantly higher physical performance

scores than animals fed a normal diet.

However, the researchers say these positive results are not likely to

be carried over to humans, as it would be nearly impossible for people

to keep such diets. A 40 percent reduction in calories daily - when

translated to humans - means that an average diet of 2,000 calories

per day for adult women and 2,500 for men would be cut to 1,200 or

1,500 calories per day.

" It's very difficult for people to maintain that type of diet for

short periods of time, and it would be nearly impossible over a

lifetime, while staying healthy, " said You. " Starting on a diet like

that in the senior years would be harmful. "

Still, a moderate caloric restriction would likely bring about

positive effects on oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers -

something which would could be worthy of further investigation in

human trials.

" Preclinical testing of this 8-percent regimen could be informative

and beneficial in translating to humans, " said You.

Located in Buffalo, New York, the University at Buffalo is the largest

campus of the State University of New York.