The curious case of low-protein diets

Article excerpt

Researchers studying aging have discovered that animals fed low-protein diets live longer than their normal-diet counterparts, a finding that contradicts decades of nutritional orthodoxy. The effect appears across species, from yeast to mice to primates, suggesting a fundamental biological mechanism linking protein intake to longevity. Scientists remain puzzled about exactly why restriction works, though emerging evidence points to shifts in how cells process amino acids and metabolize energy. The discovery raises tantalizing questions about whether humans might benefit similarly, though translating rodent studies into dietary advice remains fraught with uncertainty.