This podcast episode discusses a groundbreaking study published in Nature that examined the effects of calorie restriction and intermittent fasting on the lifespan and health of genetically diverse mice. The study, unlike previous research using single mouse strains, used 960 mice with different genetic backgrounds to create a more realistic picture of how individuals respond to dietary interventions. While both calorie restriction and intermittent fasting led to a slight increase in lifespan, the study revealed that the mice who started heavier benefited from calorie restriction but not intermittent fasting, suggesting that different approaches may be optimal for different body types. The study also highlighted the importance of stress resilience in promoting longevity, demonstrating that even on restricted diets, mice who maintained a healthy weight during stressful periods lived longer. The episode concludes by emphasizing the importance of personalized approaches to lifespan extension, recognizing that there's no single magic formula for everyone. It also discusses exciting areas of ongoing research like the role of the gut microbiome and the potential of drugs targeting senescent cells in promoting longevity.
Research paper:
Di Francesco, A., Deighan, A.G., Litichevskiy, L. et al. Dietary restriction impacts health and lifespan of genetically diverse mice. Nature (2024).
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