ENERGY RESTRICTION, A USEFUL INTERVENTION TO RETARD HUMAN AGING - RESULTS OF A FEASIBILITY STUDY

Objective: Energy restriction (ER) retards the ageing process in anima l models. It is possible that ER has a similar effect in humans. As a first approach to look after the potential application of ER in man th e feasibility of a moderately energy-restricted diet was studied. Desi gn: A controlled intervention study. Setting: TNO Toxicology and Nutri tion Institute. Subjects: 24 middle-aged non-obese men, selected from men responding to advertisements in regional newspapers. Interventions : After a run-in period subjects were divided into two groups, a contr ol group (n = 8) and an ER group (n = 16). Groups were matched on age and body mass index. The effects of 10 weeks of moderate ER (80% of ha bitual energy intake) on body composition, general health (blood press ure, lipid profile, routine clinical chemistry and haematology), physi cal and mental performance, and feelings of hunger, satiety and state of mind were measured. Results: Subjects in the ER group lost about 7. 4 +/- 2.6 kg weight (P < 0.001). This weight loss concerned mainly los s of fat mass. Diastolic and systolic blood pressure decreased signifi cantly within the ER group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively). The i ncrease in HDL-cholesterol level was significantly related to weight l oss (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results show beneficial effects of 10 weeks of moderate ER on blood pressure and lipid profile without adve rse effects on physical and mental performance and feelings of hunger, satiety and mood.