A new study from The Jackson Laboratory has found that calorie restriction, rather than intermittent fasting, had the greatest impact on extending lifespan in mice. Researchers tracked nearly 1,000 genetically diverse female mice on various diets to understand how dietary changes affect health and longevity.
The study showed that mice eating fewer calories lived longer than those following an intermittent fasting schedule. However, it was not just about weight loss – rather, it was about the ability to retain body weight despite stress or low food intake. Mice that maintained their body weight and immune cell health had longer lifespans, while those who lost weight on calorie-restricted diets had shorter lives.
The researchers found that immune system health and red blood cell traits were more closely linked to lifespan than traditional metabolic markers like weight, glucose levels, and body temperature. This suggests that human studies of longevity may be overlooking more important aspects of healthy aging.
Gary Churchill, lead author of the study, said, “The most robust animals keep their weight on even in the face of stress and caloric restriction, and they are the ones that live the longest.” The study highlights the importance of resilience in determining lifespan and raises questions about which endpoints are most relevant for evaluating aging interventions.
While calorie restriction is generally good for lifespan, losing weight on such diets can be bad. Instead, researchers emphasize the need to focus on maintaining body weight and immune cell health to extend healthy lifespan.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/longevity-calorie-restriction-27824/