Reduced calorie intake prolongs life: Study

Such a reduced calorie diet has advantageous effects on the brain and helps in prolonging the natural life, suggests the study.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin began their study in 1989 on 30 rhesus monkeys, a species of monkeys which has many parallels to humans. During the course of the study, 46 more such monkeys were added in 1994. Thus, the study entailed an analysis of 76 rhesus monkeys.

Key to long life
During the study, merely 13 percent of the monkeys (5 out of 38 monkeys), who were administered a diet, trimmed of calories, died. On the other hand, 37 percent (14 out of 38) of the animals, who were on their usual diet, passed away during the corresponding period.

These death rates took into consideration age-related causes of demise such as heart disease and cancer. The disparity between the two groups was not statistically significant when all causes of death, including injuries and complications from anesthesia, were considered.

Lead researcher Ricki Colman, Ph.D., an associate scientist at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, in Madison noted, "The new study shows the effects of calorie restriction in primates that are closely related to humans.”

This species of monkeys have, on average, a lifespan of 27 years when they are confined for such study purposes. The oldest rhesus monkey in the Wisconsin study is now 29. “Monkeys in the calorie-restricted group are more likely to live healthier, longer," added Colman.

Results conform to previous studies
The results of the present study corroborate previous results which have shown that a restricted calorie regimen lengthens the lives of mice.

Brian Delaney, president of the Calorie Restriction Society, said that the findings of the rhesus monkey study are "all consistent with what human practitioners of calorie restriction have always believed".

"Any degree of restriction beyond what you're currently eating will confer health benefits and will slow the aging process," Delaney said.