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Posted on May 13, 2008, 8 p.m.
By Jeanelle Topping
New research carried out on mice suggests that a low-calorie diet may delay aging and boost longevity.
New research carried out on mice suggests that a low-calorie diet may delay aging and boost longevity.
A study conducted at and funded by the University of Alabama-Birmingham Center for Aging found that in mice who consume less, hormonal changes occur, which can be linked to an extended lifespan.
Lead author of the report Derek M Huffman said: "We know that being lean rather than obese is protective from many diseases, but key rodent studies tell us that being lean from eating less, as opposed to exercising more, has greater benefit for living longer. This study was designed to understand better why that is."
Investigative results show that when scientists compare rats that exercise to those that don't exercise but eat much less, the longest-living rats are from the group that ate less.
The study suggests that calorie restriction creates beneficial changes in the body's hormone levels which exercise does not and it is these metabolic changes which play an active role in extending life.
