The latest tests have been carried out on two grey mouse lemurs: one had a normal diet for nine years and the other was fed a similar balanced diet that had 30 per cent fewer calories. The lifespan of the calorie-restricted lemur increased by nearly 50 per cent, and its motor capacities remained healthy its whole life, while its brains resembled that of a younger animal.
The researchers from CNRS in France say the theory of calorie-restricted diets and their impact on ageing is still ‘controversial’ in humans, although similar positive results have been seen in macaques, as well as in mice, flies and worms.
The next stage, say the researchers, is to carry out more animal studies, but next time to gauge the impact on ageing of calorie-restriction with physical exercise.
(Source: Communications Biology, 2018; doi: 10.1038/s42003-018-0024-8)
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