Low-calorie diet can be fountain of youth: study

A sparse diet, minimal in calories but with all the essential nutrients, may be just the ticket to achieving eternal youth, according to a new Canadian study.

Researchers at the University of Calgary have shown muscle function strengthening in an aging body when paired with caloric restriction.

Scientists at U of C found that the mitochondria - the energy source in cells - function better over the years while on this diet.

They say going on such a regimen will eventually lead to a healthier and more active life, as the light diet prevents muscle function from deteriorating: a problem more and more common with age.

The study was done on elderly rats that were fed the calorie-reduced diet over the years.

The results showed the elderly rats had more toned, buffed bodies: much like rats half their age.

The rats had no decline in muscle function, even though some were as old as 26 years (about 70 to 80 years in human terms.)

Illustration: HeartPoint.com

Source: Discovery Channel Reports, July 5 edition