Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute have shown a mechanism that links reduced calorie intake to benefits such as increased life expectancy and lower rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and dementia. A potential new way to improve health is reported in an article published in the journal Science Signaling.
During the experiment, the researchers compared several groups of mice. Rodents in one of them were given food with a limited amount of calories, in addition, they were kept at room temperature (22 degrees Celsius). Another group was placed in warmer conditions (30 degrees Celsius). The higher temperature has caused a state of thermoneutrality, in which animals have a hard time lowering their body temperature.
After that, scientists searched for metabolic substances, the content of which in the body of mice depended not only on nutrient compounds in the food, but also on body temperature. It turned out that temperature had the same or even greater effect on the state of the body as calorie restriction.
It has been observed that when mammals consume less food, their body temperature drops. That said, lowering the temperature can increase life expectancy regardless of calorie restriction. Thus, the development of special drugs that mimic a decrease in body temperature can help prolong a healthy life and reduce the risk of age-related diseases.
