We already knew that the calorie restriction was a way to lose weight while limiting the risks of age-related diseases. A new study now proves that reducing overall calorie intake can rejuvenate your muscles and activate biological pathways important for good health.
“ It has long been known that cutting calories without depriving the body of essential vitamins and minerals, known as calorie restriction, delays the progression of age-related diseases in animal models. This new study, published in Aging Cellsuggests that the same biological mechanisms could also apply to humans », underlines the National Institute on Aging (NIA) in a press release of October 13. This institute strives to support research on aging, health and well-being of older people.
In short, to age healthily and take care of your muscles, we should eat less, but without depriving the body of essential nutrients. The first visible effects? Specialists have observed, during the first year, a reduction in muscle mass as well as a weight loss of 9 kilos, on average. But the researchers point out that the participants did not lose muscle strength.
A weight loss of 9 kilos without loss of muscle strength
This study made it possible to analyze, during two years, the effects of calorie restriction on aging. On average, volunteers reduced 12% their caloric intakeor a reduction “ very modest », underlines Luigi Ferrucci, scientific director of the National Institute on Aging (NIA).
After a year, specialists observed a decrease in muscle mass as well as a weight loss of 9 kilos, on average, before stabilizing during the second year. The researchers point out that the participants did not lose muscle strength. “ Calorie restriction improved the amount of force generated by each unit of muscle mass, called muscle specific force », explain the researchers.
Calorie restriction also leads to a reduction in inflammation
Besides weight loss, researchers also noted that calorie restriction could reduce inflammation. “ Lower calorie intake upregulates genes responsible for energy production and metabolism, and downregulates inflammatory genes, leading to decreased inflammation », They specify.
“ Since inflammation and aging are closely linked, calorie restriction represents a powerful approach to preventing the pro-inflammatory state developed by many older adults. », concluded Luigi Ferrucci.
As a reminder, we speak of inflammation when the body activates the immune system and sends inflammatory cells. These cells have the role of attacking bacteria or repairing damaged tissues. If your body emits inflammatory cells when you are not sick or injured, you are at risk chronic inflammation.
Chronic inflammation can be the result of certain diseases, or certain behaviors can also be to blame. People who smoke, those with a high BMI or those who consume alcohol in excess are at risk of chronic inflammation.
