A recent study conducted on genetically distinct mice found that genetic factors had a greater impact on life span than eating habits. The study, led by Gary Churchill, involved assigning nearly 1,000 mice to five different diets ranging from unrestricted eating to intermittent fasting. The mice were monitored through periodic blood tests for the rest of their lives, and it was found that mice on the intermittent fasting diets tended to live longer than those on unrestricted diets.
The mice that consumed only 80% of their baseline calories lived around 30 months, while those that consumed 60% of their baseline lived for 34 months. Interestingly, the mice that lived the longest on the restrictive diets lost the least amount of weight, despite eating less. This led the researchers to conclude that losing weight on caloric restriction may not be beneficial for life span. Instead, genetically encoded resilience played a key role in determining life span, with mice that maintained their weight, body fat percentage, and immune cell health surviving the longest.
The results of the study suggest that a moderate level of calorie restriction might be the way to balance long-term health and life span. Additionally, the researchers found that immune system health and traits related to red blood cells were more strongly linked to life span than weight, body fat percentages, blood glucose levels, and body temperature. Genetic features that have yet to be identified were also found to play a significant role in how diets affect a person’s health trajectory.
The popularity of intermittent fasting and extreme weight loss methods like Ozempic injections has been on the rise as a way to combat obesity and potentially slow aging. However, registered dietitian Emily Feivor emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to health that includes exercise and a balanced diet, in addition to calorie restriction. Calorie restriction may not be suitable for everyone, as it can increase the risk of malnutrition and other health issues, and should be discussed with a medical provider before implementing. Ultimately, the study highlights the complex interplay between genetic factors, diet, and life span, and the need for individualized approaches to improving health and longevity.
