Eating less adds more years to life--study

Researchers have found that a key enzyme named 'Sirt3,' may help dramatically slow down the aging process in an individual.

Experts aver that under reduced calorie intake, the anti-aging enzyme level escalates in body which in turn prevents cellular damage and aging in long term.

Lead researcher, Tomas A. Prolla at the University of Wisconsin-Madison said, "We're getting closer and closer to a good understanding of how caloric restriction works.

“This study is the first direct proof for a mechanism underlying the anti-aging effects we observe under caloric restriction."

Study details
In a bid to assess whether consuming less calories help one live longer, the research team studied laboratory mice with age-related hearing loss, which occurs due to free radical damage to the cells in inner ear.

Researchers focused on mitochondria, the power house of cell that produces reactive forms of oxygen called free radicals.

These free radicals cause damage to cell and promote aging.

It was noted that under reduced calorie condition, Sirt3 level in mitochondria increases which curbs the over production of free radicals.

Professor Prolla said, “This is the strongest and most direct link that caloric restriction acts through mitochondria.”

The study authors hope that the discovery may lead to development of new anti-aging drugs to enhance health in future.

Findings of the study appear in the journal 'Cell.'

A little about Sirt3
Sirt3 is one of seven enzymes in the sirtuin family that are reported to have a wide-ranging impact on cell fate and physiology.

It is located in the mitochondrial matrix and over expression of this enzyme is known to decrease the production of reactive oxygen species.

The human sirtuins have a range of molecular functions and are considered as one of the important proteins in controlling aging, stress resistance, and metabolic regulation.