Researchers have identified three “longevity factors” that appear to give men the life-extending benefits of calorie restriction without the need to lower food intake. Several studies have found that animals fed a calorie-restricted diet tend to have a low body temperature, low insulin levels, and a slower decline in levels of the hormone DHEAS. Although until now it has been uncertain as to whether these “longevity factors” have a similar effect on men. To test this Dr George S Roth and colleagues at the National Institute on Aging examined these factors in 700 men enrolled in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.
Results showed that men with lower levels of insulin, lower body temperature and higher levels of DHEAS tended to live longer even though they were not eating a calorie-restricted diet. Study leader Roth believes the findings suggest that these factors are linked to longevity and are “therefore worthy of further investigation.” He also suggests that it may be possible to develop drugs that mimic the effects of calorie restriction and therefore convey its life-extending benefits without the need for sticking to such a stringent diet.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Science 2002; 297:811
