Scientists Discover Why Dietary Restriction Has Health Benefits and Extends Life

Scientists have long known that dietary restriction can have health benefits. Now, though, researchers have found a key molecular mechanism behind the health benefits of dietary restriction, which may lead to treatments in the future.

Dietary restriction is known for its ability to slow aging in laboratory animals. Dietary restriction, in general, is a type of intervention that can include reduced overall food intake, decreased consumption of particular macronutrients such as protein, or intermittent bouts of fasting. In this case, though, the researchers found that restricting two amino acids, methionin and cysteine, results in increased hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production and protection against ischemia reperfusion injury, damage to tissue that occurs following the interruption of blood flow as during organ transplantation and stroke. In addition, increased H2S production was associated with lifespan extension in worms, flies and yeast.

H2S gas is actually extremely toxic in high amounts. Low levels, though, have long been associated with health benefits.

"The findings suggests that H2S is one of the key molecules responsible for the benefits of dietary restriction in mammals and lower organisms as well," said James Mitchell, one of the researchers, in a news release. "While more experiments are required to understand how H2S exerts its beneficial effects, it does give us a new perspective on which molecular players to target therapeutically in our efforts to combat human disease and aging."

The findings could give researchers a better understanding of how dietary interventions expand lifespan. In addition, they could be important for developing further treatments. More immediately, though, they could have important implications for what to eat and not to eat before a planned surgery.

The findings are published in the journal Cell.

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