Diet and maintaining a healthy body weight seem to play a major role in healthy aging and longevity, with different foods and dietary patterns likely capable of increasing or decreasing the risk of various age-associated diseases. It is evident that overweight and obesity increase the risk of many chronic diseases that decrease lifespan and healthspan, including type 2 diabetes, stroke, and more.
Two diets frequently studied in the context of aging and lifespan are caloric restriction (CR) and intermittent fasting (IF). CR involves a (usually at least 10%) reduction in calorie intake relative to typical levels without inducing malnutrition, while IF involves alternating periods of normal food intake with extended periods (usually 16–48 hours) of low-to-no food intake.[1][2] CR and IF are often found to extend the lifespans of animals (particularly mice) as well as improve risk factors for age-related diseases (e.g, cardiovascular-disease, type-2-diabetes) in humans,[3][4] but ultimately the effect of these dietary approaches on human lifespan and healthspan has not been completely evaluated.
References
- ^Bales CW, Kraus WECaloric restriction: implications for human cardiometabolic health.J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev.(2013)
- ^Longo VD, Di Tano M, Mattson MP, Guidi NIntermittent and periodic fasting, longevity and disease.Nat Aging.(2021-Jan)
- ^Emily W Flanagan, Jasper Most, Jacob T Mey, Leanne M RedmanCalorie Restriction and Aging in HumansAnnu Rev Nutr.(2020 Sep 23)
- ^Patikorn C, Roubal K, Veettil SK, Chandran V, Pham T, Lee YY, Giovannucci EL, Varady KA, Chaiyakunapruk NIntermittent Fasting and Obesity-Related Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses of Randomized Clinical Trials.JAMA Netw Open.(2021-12-01)