Metabolic Slowing and Reduced Oxidative Damage with Sustained Caloric Restriction Support the Rate of Living and Oxidative Damage Theories of Aging

Cell Metab. 2018 Apr 3;27(4):805-815.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.02.019. Epub 2018 Mar 22.

Abstract

Calorie restriction (CR) is a dietary intervention with potential benefits for healthspan improvement and lifespan extension. In 53 (34 CR and 19 control) non-obese adults, we tested the hypothesis that energy expenditure (EE) and its endocrine mediators are reduced with a CR diet over 2 years. Approximately 15% CR was achieved over 2 years, resulting in an average 8.7 kg weight loss, whereas controls gained 1.8 kg. In the CR group, EE measured over 24 hr or during sleep was approximately 80-120 kcal/day lower than expected on the basis of weight loss, indicating sustained metabolic adaptation over 2 years. This metabolic adaptation was accompanied by significantly reduced thyroid axis activity and reactive oxygen species (F2-isoprostane) production. Findings from this 2-year CR trial in healthy, non-obese humans provide new evidence of persistent metabolic slowing accompanied by reduced oxidative stress, which supports the rate of living and oxidative damage theories of mammalian aging.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00427193 NCT02695511.

Keywords: aging; energy expenditure; intervention; nutrition.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Caloric Restriction*
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology*
  • Weight Loss / physiology*

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00427193
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02695511