What Is The Effect Of Reducing Calorie Intake On Ageing?

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Food or drink contains energy, which is measured in calories. When our bodies consume more calories than we consume, they are stored as body fat, causing us to gain weight.

In order to maintain a healthy body weight, an average man requires approximately 2,500 calories (10,500 kJ) per day.

An average woman needs approximately 2,000 calories (8,400 kcal) per day. These values will vary depending on a number of factors, including her age, size, and level of physical activity [1].

In addition, you should be aware of the calorie content of food and beverages you purchase in order to be sure you are not consuming too much of them. Many shop-bought foods list the calorie content on the packaging as part of the nutrition label.

According to a new study, calorie reduction may slow the ageing process. The researchers examined a single biomarker that showed the effect to be significant, in the first-of-its-kind, randomized, controlled human study [2].

Let's read more about it here.

Can reducing calorie intake slow down ageing?

Researchers suggest it may be possible to slow the rate of ageing in humans, a phenomenon that was explored in several other studies as well. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for the future.

A careful design of the study's calorie reduction ensured that participants did not lose essential nutrients in the process of reducing their energy intake.

Biomarkers of ageing

Researchers measured the effects of calorie intake using three age biomarkers, or "aging clocks": PhenoAge , GrimAge , and DunedinPACE. All three are based on DNA metabolism that is measured in blood samples. The three biomarkers measure different aspects of the ageing process, such as the rate of DNA repair, oxidative damage, and inflammation [3].

By comparing the results of the three biomarkers, researchers were able to gain insight into how calorie intake affects ageing.

The PhenoAge and GrimAge programs estimate a person's chronological age based on their current biology. This would be the age at which the person would be viewed as standard. DunedInPace, on the other hand, measures the rate at which a person is ageing.

As human beings live a long time, biomarkers may provide a first indication of whether the intervention is having the desired effect.

According to the study, calorie restriction affected DunedInPace, but not PhenoAge or GrimAge.

Furthermore, these results suggest that caloric restriction may modify aspects of biological ageing in humans, in a similar way to what has been known for many years in laboratory animals.

What Is Calorie Restriction?

A calorie restriction diet is a consistent pattern that reduces the average daily intake of calories, while fasting diets are based on the frequency of eating. A fasting diet may or may not restrict calorie intake during non-fasting periods [4].

US dietary guidelines and scientific societies recommend calorie restriction as a possible method of controlling body weight [5].

In some previous studies, it has been suggested that calorie restriction may have beneficial effects on human health, however, more research is necessary before we can fully understand its long-term effects [6].

Until this recent study, there had been no human data relating calorie restriction to longevity.

Is Calorie Restriction Healthy?

The concept of calorie restriction involves reducing food intake while maintaining adequate nutrient levels. Animal studies have found many health benefits associated with calorie restriction, including improved metabolism, longer lifespans, and delayed onset of age-related diseases [7][8].

On A Final Note...

According to a number of studies, moderate calorie restriction could benefit human health. However, more research is needed to understand if calorie restriction can slow down ageing.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.