Item #7
Fat
Mass, Not Caloric Intake Linked to Longevity
Study
shows an 18% increase in usual lifespan by reducing fat mass.
While
caloric restriction has been shown to increase lifespan, findings from
a new animal study suggest that it is fat mass rather than caloric
intake per se that determines longevity.
Because
leanness and caloric intake are interrelated, it has been difficult to
determine the relative importance of each in enhancing longevity, Dr.
C. Ronald Kahn and colleagues, from Harvard Medical School in Boston,
point out in the January 24th issue of Science.
To
address this point, the researchers created a strain of mice that lack
insulin receptors in their fat cells. This alteration causes the
animals to have reduced fat mass and protects them from age-related
obesity. However, their food intake remains normal.
The
researchers found that the experimental mice had a mean lifespan that
was about 134 days longer than control littermates. This represents an
18% increase in their usual lifespan.
In
addition to sorting out the effects of leanness and caloric intake on
longevity, the findings also have therapeutic implications.
"Perhaps one day if we are able to find a drug to reduce or block
insulin action in fat cells in humans, we might be able to prevent
obesity, as well as type 2 diabetes and other metabolic
diseases," Dr. Kahn said in a statement. "And who knows,
they might also live longer." Science 2003;299:572-574.
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