How Eating Less Can Slow the Aging Process?

Do you want to live longer? Then control your hunger and eat less.

That’s the conclusion of many studies that are linked to healthy aging and calorie restricted diets.

These diets may help to enhance mood and even protect against age related diseases that damage the body. Individuals can use this tool to potentially increase their life spans, say experts.

One studyTrusted Source published in Cell Metabolism journal assured that reducing calorie intake by 15 percent over two years can slow aging process and save against diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.

Scientists have elevated the life-spans in yeast and mice by having them consume fewer calories per day, and ongoing studies shows that a controlled low-calorie diet may slow aging in primates, as well.

There is a multi-billion-dollar industry that is dedicated to products that fight the signs of aging. Unfortunately creams can only go skin deep and aging occurs deeper at a cellular level and researchers have found that eating less can slow this cellular process. 

New research published in Molecular & Cellular Proteomics shows how cutting calories impacts aging inside a cell. The scientists concluded that when ribosomes the cell’s protein makers slow down, the aging process slows as well. The slow speed lowers production but gives ribosomes extra time to repair themselves.

The most recent research was on humans.

Participants were healthy, non-obese people in between the ages of 21 and 50.

The scientists said that they discovered that even people who are healthy and slim can benefit from calorie controlled diets.

In addition to that many biomarkers for aging were lowered, according to the study, and health improved as well.

Rozalyn Anderson, PhD, an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health told Healthline that if you eat less and weigh less, you live longer.

Restricting calorie intake by 15 percent is not drastic, noted Priya Khorana, EdD, a doctor of nutrition education at Teachers College, Columbia University.

“And in the long run, these diets aren’t as effective as modest diets,” Khorana told Healthline. “Following a balanced nutrient-rich diet is the key to success.”

And, she adds, workouts are also important.

So just reducing calorie intake without getting good nutritional food could mean missing out on important vitamins and minerals.

The conclusion is that using energy is the key to longevity side by side eating healthy food.

Many foods, mainly plant foods like fruits and vegetables, are thought to be “anti-aging” because they contain compounds called antioxidants.

The underlying message, by Anderson, is powerful: Aging is workable.

“Diseases are all different,” she said. “But they’re all associated with aging. And calorie-restricted diets work.”