Eating less protein could slow aging, major review finds
News
– A sweeping review of more than 350 studies suggests that the protein boom may be overselling what many people actually need. Eating less protein appears to improve metabolism, reduce inflammation and cellular damage, and activate pathways linked to healthier aging and longer life.
Protein-enriched products now fill grocery store shelves, appearing in everything from cereal and coffee to water. Yet a new review of more than 350 studies on protein restriction and aging suggests that many people may gain more from eating less protein, and that lower intake could sometimes contribute to a longer life.
Published July 31 in the Cell Press journal Cell Press Blue, the review examines how reducing protein may influence aging. The researchers conclude that protein restriction can improve metabolism, alter the way cells react to nutrients, limit cellular damage, and help cells maintain normal function.
Details
“It’s absolutely crystal clear that there are benefits of protein to muscle growth and exercise response of active individuals,” says Dudley Lamming, the paper’s corresponding author, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “But because most people are relatively sedentary, many people are likely consuming more protein than they actually need, which probably has negative health consequences.”
An Alternative to Calorie Restriction
Scientists have long known that reducing calorie intake can lengthen lifespan in many organisms and lower the risk of age-related illnesses such as cancer. In practice, however, following a calorie-restricted diet over the long term is extremely difficult for most people.
Analysis
Protein restriction may offer another route. Earlier studies found that flies and rodents lived longer when they consumed less protein, even when their overall calorie intake did not decline.
Recent human clinical trials have also produced promising results. People who lowered their protein intake lost weight and body fat and showed improvements in fasting blood sugar, despite often consuming more total calories.
Why More Protein Can Still Be Beneficial
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