‘Anti-Atkins’ Low Protein Diet Extends Lifespan in Flies

Flies fed an “anti-Atkins” low protein diet live longer because their mitochondria function better.  Mitochondria act as the “powerhouse” of the cells. In that it is established that mitochondrial function worsens with age in many species (including humans, spurring Type II diabetes and obesity), Pankaj Kapahi, from the Buck Institute for Age Research (Ccalifornia, USA), and colleagues have discovered new molecular mechanisms responsible for the lifespan extension in the flies have important implications for human aging and diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cancer.  The  findings also bring a new level of understanding of the regulation of mitochondrial genes and open new avenues of inquiry into the interplay between mitochondrial function, diet and energy metabolism.  The researchers suggest that: “Our study shows that dietary restriction can enhance mitoc hondrial function hence offsetting the age-related decline in its performance.”