Everyone wants to look and stay young. There’s a huge multi-billion-dollar industry trying to sell you all kinds of things like cosmetics and creams to make you look younger. The problem is aging is happening at a cellular level. The good news is that scientist have found that by just eating less, you just may be able slow down aging at this cellular level. At least this is true for mice.
These findings were recently published in the journal Molecular & Cellular Proteomics. The researchers found that when ribosomes, the protein makers in cells, slow down, the aging process also slows down. The researchers said that this slowing down process allows the ribosomes extra time to start repairing themselves.
For Ribosomes, Slow is Good
Why do the ribosomes slow down? Because less calories were consumed in the diet. At least this was the case for the mice involved in the study.
There were two groups of mice in the study. One group had access to all the food they can eat. The other group was restricted to 35 percent fewer calories, though still receiving all the necessary nutrients for survival.
The significant finding of the study was there was almost a liner increase in lifespan of the mice compared to caloric restriction. In other words, the less calories the mice consumed, the longer their lifespan.
Not only that, the calorie-restricted mice were also more energetic and had fewer diseases.
Previous studies have also found similar results, but this study is the first to connect the slowing down of ribosomes to the aging process in mice.
Ribosomes are very important for cells to function. By slowing down ribosomes, it allows them time to repair themselves. The result is that the ribosomes can function longer and continue producing high-quality proteins for longer than they would otherwise. This keeps the cells in top shape, which in turn keeps the body in top shape.
So far, the results are related to mice so you shouldn’t start counting calories yet and use calorie reduction as a anti-aging regime. However, the implications are significant, and the old wise folks always told us that a lean and clean diet does a body good.
Journal Reference:
- Andrew D. Mathis, Bradley C. Naylor, Richard H. Carson, Eric Evans, Justin Harwell, Jared Knecht, Eric Hexem, Fredrick F. Peelor, Benjamin F. Miller, Karyn L. Hamilton, Mark K. Transtrum, Benjamin T. Bikman, John C. Price. Mechanisms of In Vivo Ribosome Maintenance Change in Response to Nutrient Signals. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, 2017; 16 (2): 243 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.M116.063255
