Long-Term Calorie Restriction Linked to Slower Brain Aging
Boston, MA – A new study from boston university Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine suggests that long-term calorie restriction may protect against brain aging.Researchers found that consistently consuming 30% fewer calories than normal over more than 20 years was associated with healthier, more functional brain cells.
The study, published in Aging Cell, analyzed brain tissue from participants in a decades-long study initiated in the 1980s by the National Institute on Aging. One group followed a normal diet, while the other reduced their calorie intake by approximately 30%. Using advanced single-nucleus RNA sequencing, researchers compared the molecular profiles of brain cells from both groups after the participants had lived their natural lifespans.
The analysis revealed that brain cells from those on the calorie-restricted diet were metabolically healthier and showed increased activity in pathways vital for myelin production and maintenance. Myelin is a protective covering around nerve fibers, and its degradation contributes to age-related white matter decline. The study also touched on the role of microglia, the brain’s immune cells, and how chronic activation can contribute to inflammation and neuronal damage.
“Even though calorie restriction is known to slow biological aging in shorter-term studies, this research provides rare long-term evidence that it can also protect against brain aging in a complex species like humans,” explains ana Vitantonio, a ph.D. student and the study’s corresponding author.
According to researchers, these cellular changes suggest that long-term dietary interventions can influence the course of brain aging. “This is important because these cellular alterations could have relevant implications for cognition and learning,” notes Tara L. Moore, Ph.D., professor of anatomy and neurobiology. “Simply put, dietary habits can influence brain health, and reduced calorie intake can slow some aspects of brain aging if implemented long-term.”
