Can Calorie Restriction Slow the Rate of Aging in Humans?

A recent study published in Nature Aging has shown that long-term calorie restriction may have a small effect on the DNA methylation measure of the pace of aging.^[0] The study, conducted by researchers at Columbia’s Butler Aging Center, involved 220 healthy men and women aged 21–50 divided into two groups.^[1] The intervention group followed a 25-percent calorie-restricted diet, while the control group ate normally.^[1] The study’s carefully designed calorie reduction ensured that participants did not lose out on essential nutrients.^[2]

The researchers used three age biomarkers, or “aging clocks”—PhenoAge, GrimAge, and DunedinPACE—to assess the impact of restricting the caloric intake.^[3] The analysis revealed that while the changes measured using DunedinPACE did not translate to a reduction in biological age using two earlier epigenetic clocks, GrimAge and PhenoAge, a 2–3% rate decrease was linked to a 10–15% reduction in mortality risk, similar to the effect of smoking cessation.^[4]

The authors note that the study’s calorie reduction was carefully designed to lower energy intake without depriving participants of essential nutrients.^[0] An investigation is underway to evaluate if the intervention had lasting impacts on healthy aging, based on the follow-up of trial participants.

Joint author Dr Calen Ryan said: “Our findings are important because they provide evidence from a randomised trial that slowing human ageing may be possible. They also give us a sense of the kinds of effects we might look for in trials of interventions that could appeal to more people, like intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating.”

Fellow author Dr Sai Krupa Das added: “Our study of the legacy effects of the CALERIE™ intervention will test if the short-term effects observed during the trial translated into longer-term reduction in ageing-related chronic diseases or their risk factors.”

Healthy dietary patterns, such as those focusing on consuming more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, were associated with a 20% reduction in total mortality, as well as a lower risk of mortality due to cardiovascular disease or cancer.^[2] These associations were consistent in different racial and ethnic groups.^[5]

Overall, the study suggests that it may be possible to slow the rate of aging in humans, a phenomenon that could have a major impact on mortality risk.

0. “Long-term caloric restriction has a small effect on the DNA methylation measure of the pace of aging” News-Medical.Net, 13 Feb. 2023, https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230213/Long-term-caloric-restriction-has-a-small-effect-on-the-DNA-methylation-measure-of-the-pace-of-aging.aspx

1. “Cutting Calories to Add Years” NEO.LIFE, 16 Feb. 2023, https://neo.life/2023/02/cutting-calories-to-add-years

2. “In Type 2 Diabetes, Low Carb Diet Linked to Lower Risk of Death from Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease” MD Magazine, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.hcplive.com/view/in-type-2-diabetes-low-carb-diet-linked-to-lower-risk-of-death-from-cancer-cardiovascular-disease

3. “Cutting Out Just a Muffin a Day Can Make You Age More Slowly, Study Finds” Singularity Hub, 21 Feb. 2023, https://singularityhub.com/2023/02/21/cutting-out-just-a-muffin-a-day-can-slow-aging-study-finds

4. “Reduced calorie intake slows ageing process, research shows” Diabetes.co.uk, 12 Feb. 2023, https://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2023/feb/reduced-calorie-intake-slows-ageing-process-research-shows.html

5. “Diet patterns that can boost longevity, cut chronic disease” American Medical Association, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/diet-patterns-can-boost-longevity-cut-chronic-disease