Cited by 701Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model OrganismsDietary Effects on HealthSirtuins and Resveratrol in Medicine

Calorie restriction and aging: review of the literature and implications for studies in humans

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Heilbronn, Leonie K, Ravussin, Eric·2003·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Abstract

Calorie restriction (CR) extends life span and retards age-related chronic diseases in a variety of species, including rats, mice, fish, flies, worms, and yeast. The mechanism or mechanisms through which this occurs are unclear. CR reduces metabolic rate and oxidative stress, improves insulin sensitivity, and alters neuroendocrine and sympathetic nervous system function in animals. Whether prolonged CR increases life span (or improves biomarkers of aging) in humans is unknown. In experiments of nature, humans have been subjected to periods of nonvolitional partial starvation. However, the diets in almost all of these cases have been of poor quality. The absence of adequate information on the effects of good-quality, calorie-restricted diets in nonobese humans reflects the difficulties involved in conducting long-term studies in an environment so conducive to overfeeding. Such studies in free-living persons also raise ethical and methodologic issues. Future studies in nonobese humans should focus on the effects of prolonged CR on metabolic rate, on neuroendocrine adaptations, on diverse biomarkers of aging, and on predictors of chronic age-related diseases.

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Crossref · 10.1093/ajcn/78.3.361

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  • Animal experiments show decreased ROS formation under caloric restriction.

    “This idea has been evidenced by animal experiments showing decreased ROS formation under caloric restriction (Heilbronn and Ravussin 2003).”
  • Caloric restriction explains longer lifespan by suppressed metabolic rate as a result of significantly reduced intake of food, which results in decreased rate of free radical damage.

    “Caloric restriction idea explains longer lifespan by suppressed metabolic rate as a result of significantly reduced intake of food (Heilbronn and Ravussin 2003), which in turn results in a decreased rate of free radical damage.”

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Authors
Heilbronn, L. K., & Ravussin, E.
Affiliations
Pennington Biomedical Research Center (US)
Venue
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2003-09
Volume
78
Issue
3
Pages
361-369
ISSN
0002-9165 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2143730031
Cited by
701
References
172
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 58 · 2020: 50 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 39 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 32 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 30 · 2012: 23
FWCI
2.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Aging (U01AG020478, U01-AG20478)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Aging › Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Dietary Effects on Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Sirtuins and Resveratrol in Medicine
Keywords
caloric restriction, aging, lifespan extension, age-related chronic diseases, metabolic rate, oxidative stress, insulin sensitivity, neuroendocrine function, sympathetic nervous system, aging biomarkers
MeSH terms
Aging, Animals, Autonomic Nervous System, Body Composition, Cardiovascular Diseases, Energy Metabolism, Humans, Insulin, Longevity, Neurosecretory Systems, Risk, Gene Expression, Oxidative Stress, Caloric Restriction, Mice, Rats

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