How eating less can slow the aging process: Recent research shows why calorie reduction in mice gave them longer and healthier lives.
Multi-billion-dollar industries, with their moisturizers, only go skin deep. Aging occurs deeper, at cellular level.
The ribosome
Research, published in ‘Molecular & Cellular Proteomics’, shows how cutting down calories impacts aging cells. Researchers discovered that when ribosomes, the cell’s protein makers, slow down, the aging process slows too.
“The ribosome is a very complex machine, sort of like your car, and it periodically needs maintenance to replace the parts that wear out fastest, “ said Brigham Young University biochemistry professor John Price.
So what slows down ribosome production? In the case of mice, reduced calorie consumption does.
When calorie consumption is restricted, but not the necessary nutrients for survival, there is almost a linear increase in lifespan.
The calorie-restricted mice are more energetic and suffer fewer diseases, as well as being younger for longer as well.
Take care of yourself
However, people should not expect to stay ‘forever young’ by counting calories. Calorie restriction has not yet been tested in humans as an anti-aging strategy.
The essential message is understanding the importance of taking care of our bodies.
“Food isn’t just material to be burned, it’s a signal that tells our body and cells how to respond,” Price said.