Diet Changes Can Slow Aging, Study Finds

New research suggests that adjusting your diet may help slow down the aging process in just a month, even if you’re older. At the University of Sydney, a team studied 104 participants aged between 65 and 75, assigning them to one of four different diets.

Among these, two diets were omnivorous, incorporating protein from both plants and animals, while the other two were primarily plant-based, with about 70% of their protein coming from plants.

One omnivorous diet was high in fat, while the other focused on carbohydrates. The semi-vegetarian diets were similarly distinguished. Regardless of the type, all four diets derived 14% of their energy from protein.

“Biological age” refers not just to the number of years a person has lived, but rather to how old their body appears, gauged through various health indicators known as biomarkers.

The researchers assessed 20 biomarkers, including cholesterol and insulin levels, to evaluate how dietary modifications impacted biological aging.

As the study pointed out, while chronological age progresses uniformly, biological age can differ greatly between individuals, reflecting variations in health and the body’s recovery abilities.

According to the findings, participants in three out of four diet categories experienced a decrease in their biological age after four weeks. However, those on the high-fat diet did not show meaningful improvement.

The study concluded that diets rich in complex carbohydrates and plant-based components yield significant benefits, which might indicate that these changes could be advantageous for older adults.

It’s worth noting that the research team highlighted that these findings are preliminary, suggesting that the observed effects could be short-term.

Caitlin Andrews, who led the study, remarked that it’s still early to definitively claim that specific dietary changes can extend lifespan. Yet, the evidence does point towards the potential advantages of altering one’s diet later in life.