To lose weight, people often adapt to various types of diet and lifestyle changes. However, the way the body adapts to the diet helps positively influence a person’s longevity. Recently Study Led by Gary Churchill, the Jackson Laboratory shows how different food choices can affect longevity differently. Calorie restriction and intermittent fasting can provide significant life-prolonging benefits, study confirms.
Increasing longevity with calorie restriction: find out all about it here.(istockphoto)
The study was conducted on 937 genetically diverse female mice; The mice were divided into five categories: one with unlimited access to food, two with calorie restriction, and two with intermittent fasting. Routine health assessments and blood tests were then performed on the mice throughout their lives to observe the influence of their diet.
READ ALSO: Fast, Feast: The Science Behind Intermittent Fasting
Research result:
The study observed that calorie restriction and intermittent fasting increased the lifespan of mice compared to mice that had unlimited access to food. Additionally, it was observed that mice that fasted for one or two days a week experienced longer lifespans: mice that fasted for two days lived longer than mice that fasted for one day. Even when they consumed the same amount of food as their unrestricted counterparts, calorie restriction and intermittent fasting increased their life expectancy.
Gary Churchill, the Karl Gunnar Johansson Chair and professor at JAX who led the research, said in a statement that moderate levels of calorie restriction and intermittent fasting can help improve health and life expectancy.
READ ALSO: Is intermittent fasting better than counting calories? Maybe not: research
This study challenges the long-held notion that calorie restriction can reduce the negative impacts of obesity, thereby significantly increasing life expectancy. However, additional research suggests that there is a more complex pattern of mechanisms that help increase longevity with caloric restriction.
READ ALSO: ‘Will this give me an eating disorder?’: Common myths about intermittent fasting debunked
Disadvantages of dietary restrictions:
Extreme dietary restrictions also have their downsides. The study showed that a significant loss of lean body mass was observed in mice that lived the longest on average. Loss of immunity is also observed, making them more susceptible to infections.
READ ALSO: 6 ways to protect your heart during intermittent fasting
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor if you have questions about a medical condition.
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