Cutting Calories Slowed Biological Aging, but Not in the Kidneys
Graded Moderate — groups were chosen at random and the diet lasted two years, but only 185 people were analysed, and the outcomes were calculated estimates rather than diseases.
- Design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Participants
- 185
- Duration
- 2 years
- Funding
- National Key R&D Program of China, Shanghai Municipal Natural Science…
Two years of eating fewer calories slowed the rise in biological age of metabolism and of the heart and blood vessels.
Eating less for two years slowed how fast several organ systems aged, at least as measured by blood-based estimates. People who cut calories saw their biological age rise more slowly than people who ate as usual. The clearest effects showed up in metabolism and in the heart and blood vessels. After two years, the gap was one year for the heart and blood vessels and a little over half a year for metabolism. The kidneys showed no change, and the liver only a small one after two years.
The data come from the CALERIE 2 trial. Participants were chosen at random either to eat less for two years or to keep eating normally. The goal was to cut energy intake by a fifth. The analysis included 185 people with measurements at the start and after one or two years. For five organ systems and the whole body, researchers calculated a biological age from matching blood tests and other measurements.
The more people cut back, the stronger the effect on metabolism and whole-body age. Those who actually reached the 20 percent target even saw several biological ages go down. But these are calculated estimates, not diseases or lifespan. Whether eating less helps people age in better health is something this study cannot answer.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.