An Ad Libitum-Fed Diet That Matches The Beneficial Lifespan Effects Of Caloric Restriction But Acts Via Opposite Effects On The Energy-Splicing Axis
For a long time, researchers have known that drastically cutting down on calories, a practice called caloric restriction, can lead to a longer and healthier life in many animals. However, consistently maintaining such a strict diet is incredibly difficult for people.
Recent findings offer an exciting alternative. A study investigated a special diet that allowed mice to eat as much as they wanted, known as an ad libitum-fed diet. This particular diet was low in protein and high in carbohydrates, and included a significant amount of non-digestible fiber. Remarkably, this “eat-as-you-please” approach provided the same benefits for longevity and metabolic well-being as traditional caloric restriction.
The intriguing part lies in how these benefits are achieved. Caloric restriction was observed to enhance proteins involved in energy production and the function of mitochondria—often called the “powerhouses” of our cells. Conversely, the ad libitum-fed low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet actually reduced these energy pathways. Instead, it boosted processes related to RNA metabolism (how genetic instructions are handled) and spliceosomes (molecular machines that edit these instructions). This suggests that there isn’t just one way to promote healthy aging; different dietary strategies can arrive at the same beneficial outcome by influencing different fundamental biological systems. This discovery supports a concept called the “energy-splicing resilience” axis of aging, offering a more sustainable and potentially easier-to-follow dietary path to improve health and lifespan.