Calorie restriction in humans builds strong muscle and stimulates healthy aging genes

[OctoberRed]

Reducing overall calorie intake may rejuvenate your muscles and activate biological pathways important for good health, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health and their colleagues. Decreasing calories without depriving the body of essential vitamins and minerals, known as calorie restriction, has long been known to delay the progression of age-related diseases in animal models. This new study, published in Aging Cell, suggests the same biological mechanisms may also apply to humans.

Researchers analyzed data from participants in the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE), a study supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) that examined whether moderate calorie restriction conveys the same health benefits seen in animal studies. They found that during a two-year span, the goal for participants was to reduce their daily caloric intake by 25%, but the highest the group was able to reach was a 12% reduction. Even so, this slight reduction in calories was enough to activate most of the biological pathways that are important in healthy aging.

"A 12% reduction in calorie intake is very modest," said corresponding author and NIA Scientific Director Luigi Ferrucci, M.D., Ph.D. "This kind of small reduction in calorie intake is doable and may make a big difference in your health."

The research team next sought to understand the molecular underpinnings of the benefits seen in limited, previous research of calorie restriction in humans. One study showed that individuals on calorie restriction lost muscle mass and an average of 20 pounds of weight over the first year and maintained their weight for the second year. However, despite losing muscle mass, calorie restriction participants did not lose muscle strength, indicating calorie restriction improved the amount of force generated by each unit of muscle mass, called muscle specific force.

For the current study, scientists used thigh muscle biopsies from CALERIE participants that were collected when individuals joined the study and at one-year and two-year follow ups.

To figure out which human genes were impacted during calorie restriction, the scientists isolated messenger RNA (mRNA), a molecule that contains the code for proteins, from muscle samples. The team determined the protein sequence of each mRNA and used the information to identify which genes originated specific mRNAs. Further analysis helped the scientists establish which genes during calorie restriction were upregulated, meaning the cells made more mRNA; and which were downregulated, meaning the cells produced less mRNA. The researchers confirmed calorie restriction affected the same gene pathways in humans as in mice and non-human primates. For example, a lower caloric intake upregulated genes responsible for energy generation and metabolism, and downregulated inflammatory genes leading to lower inflammation.

"Since inflammation and aging are strongly coupled, calorie restriction represents a powerful approach to preventing the pro-inflammatory state that is developed by many older people," said Ferrucci.

[them_apples]

I’d believe it, I heard somewhere the human body goes into a hardened state when its hungry but extreme physical exertion is required, releasing an immense amount of testosterone, like a wild animal. Dempsey used to explain how hard he would fight if he was “hungry”. Aka skinny but with tons of testosterone.

afterall a human body when full in stomach has no reason to fight right?

[Rockin']

I�d believe it, I heard somewhere the human body goes into a hardened state when its hungry but extreme physical exertion is required, releasing an immense amount of testosterone, like a wild animal. Dempsey used to explain how hard he would fight if he was �hungry�. Aka skinny but with tons of testosterone.

afterall a human body when full in stomach has no reason to fight right?

Great post! It had never even occured to me................Rockin'

[Blond Beast]

I think it’s important to drop some weight ( the right way ) and get quite lean every so often. Once a year, or even every couple years. Show yourself that you can still do it. Most of us all eat too much these days. Counting calories works, you just have to be real about it. I like my look right now at 215lbs but a run down to 199lbs will be in the future. It’s a great feeling getting lighter and fitter. You feel it on your feet. I love pullups. Puts your physique in perspective.

[OctoberRed]

I think it’s important to drop some weight ( the right way ) and get quite lean every so often. Once a year, or even every couple years. Show yourself that you can still do it. Most of us all eat too much these days. Counting calories works, you just have to be real about it. I like my look right now at 215lbs but a run down to 199lbs will be in the future. It’s a great feeling getting lighter and fitter. You feel it on your feet. I love pullups. Puts your physique in perspective.

Welcome back BEAST!

[F!x]

I wonder if this is why boxers can make weight and appear to be gaunt and starving during the weigh-in, yet often still perform well enough a day later. The gradual weight cutting during camp might, in some cases, boost their strength if they're consuming the right vitamins and minerals. "Making weight the right way" is what we often hear. Not sure if it has such short term implications. Interesting article still.

[GrandpaBernard]

I wonder if this is why boxers can make weight and appear to be gaunt and starving during the weigh-in, yet often still perform well enough a day later. The gradual weight cutting during camp might, in some cases, boost their strength if they're consuming the right vitamins and minerals. "Making weight the right way" is what we often hear. Not sure if it has such short term implications. Interesting article still.

My experience as someone who went 72 hours without food multiple times

and one 5-day fast

physical performance suffers once you go more than 2 days without food

<= 2 days without food is fine

[OctoberRed]

I wonder if this is why boxers can make weight and appear to be gaunt and starving during the weigh-in, yet often still perform well enough a day later. The gradual weight cutting during camp might, in some cases, boost their strength if they're consuming the right vitamins and minerals. "Making weight the right way" is what we often hear. Not sure if it has such short term implications. Interesting article still.

Its crazy how some guys pack on like 30 pounds overnight

[Omegamanic]

Reducing overall calorie intake may rejuvenate your muscles and activate biological pathways important for good health, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health and their colleagues. Decreasing calories without depriving the body of essential vitamins and minerals, known as calorie restriction, has long been known to delay the progression of age-related diseases in animal models. This new study, published in Aging Cell, suggests the same biological mechanisms may also apply to humans.

Researchers analyzed data from participants in the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE), a study supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) that examined whether moderate calorie restriction conveys the same health benefits seen in animal studies. They found that during a two-year span, the goal for participants was to reduce their daily caloric intake by 25%, but the highest the group was able to reach was a 12% reduction. Even so, this slight reduction in calories was enough to activate most of the biological pathways that are important in healthy aging.

"A 12% reduction in calorie intake is very modest," said corresponding author and NIA Scientific Director Luigi Ferrucci, M.D., Ph.D. "This kind of small reduction in calorie intake is doable and may make a big difference in your health."

The research team next sought to understand the molecular underpinnings of the benefits seen in limited, previous research of calorie restriction in humans. One study showed that individuals on calorie restriction lost muscle mass and an average of 20 pounds of weight over the first year and maintained their weight for the second year. However, despite losing muscle mass, calorie restriction participants did not lose muscle strength, indicating calorie restriction improved the amount of force generated by each unit of muscle mass, called muscle specific force.

For the current study, scientists used thigh muscle biopsies from CALERIE participants that were collected when individuals joined the study and at one-year and two-year follow ups.

To figure out which human genes were impacted during calorie restriction, the scientists isolated messenger RNA (mRNA), a molecule that contains the code for proteins, from muscle samples. The team determined the protein sequence of each mRNA and used the information to identify which genes originated specific mRNAs. Further analysis helped the scientists establish which genes during calorie restriction were upregulated , meaning the cells made more mRNA; and which were downregulated, meaning the cells produced less mRNA. The researchers confirmed calorie restriction affected the same gene pathways in humans as in mice and non-human primates. For example, a lower caloric intake upregulated genes responsible for energy generation and metabolism, and downregulated inflammatory genes leading to lower inflammation.

"Since inflammation and aging are strongly coupled, calorie restriction represents a powerful approach to preventing the pro-inflammatory state that is developed by many older people," said Ferrucci.

Reducing overall calorie intake, as supported by a study from the National Institutes of Health, can have significant health benefits. Calorie restriction without compromising essential nutrients has long been recognized to delay age-related diseases in animal models, and this study suggests similar benefits in humans. The study analyzed data from the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) project, where participants aimed to reduce daily caloric intake by 25% but achieved a 12% reduction over two years. Even this modest reduction activated crucial biological pathways associated with healthy aging. The research revealed that calorie restriction led to muscle mass loss, but individuals didn't lose muscle strength, indicating improved muscle specific force. Muscle biopsies from CALERIE participants were used to identify gene pathways affected by calorie restriction, showing that it influenced energy generation, metabolism, and reduced inflammation, which is closely linked to aging. In summary, calorie restriction, even at a modest level, can activate beneficial biological mechanisms, offering a potential approach to delaying age-related health issues and promoting overall well-being.

[OctoberRed]

Reducing overall calorie intake, as supported by a study from the National Institutes of Health, can have significant health benefits. Calorie restriction without compromising essential nutrients has long been recognized to delay age-related diseases in animal models, and this study suggests similar benefits in humans. The study analyzed data from the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) project, where participants aimed to reduce daily caloric intake by 25% but achieved a 12% reduction over two years. Even this modest reduction activated crucial biological pathways associated with healthy aging. The research revealed that calorie restriction led to muscle mass loss, but individuals didn't lose muscle strength, indicating improved muscle specific force. Muscle biopsies from CALERIE participants were used to identify gene pathways affected by calorie restriction, showing that it influenced energy generation, metabolism, and reduced inflammation, which is closely linked to aging. In summary, calorie restriction, even at a modest level, can activate beneficial biological mechanisms, offering a potential approach to delaying age-related health issues and promoting overall well-being.

Not the easiest thing to do for sure.