Is Caloric Restriction Associated with Better Healthy Aging Outcomes? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Background: Global dietary patterns have gradually shifted toward a ‘western type’ with progressive increases in rates of metabolic imbalance. Recently, animal and human studies have revealed positive effects of caloric restriction (CR) on many health domains, giving new knowledge for prevention of ill and health promotion; Methods: We conducted a systematic review (SR) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the role of CR on health status in adults. A meta-analysis was performed on anthropometric, cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes; Results: A total of 29 articles were retrieved including data from eight RCTs. All included RCTs were at low risk for performance bias related to objective outcomes. Collectively, articles included 704 subjects. Among the 334 subjects subjected to CR, the compliance with the intervention appeared generally high. Meta-analyses proved benefit of CR on reduction of body weight, BMI, fat mass, total cholesterol, while a minor impact was shown for LDL, fasting glucose and insulin levels. No effect emerged for HDL and blood pressure after CR. Data were insufficient for other hormone variables in relation to meta-analysis of CR effects; Conclusion: CR is a nutritional pattern linked to improved cardiometabolic status. However, evidence is limited on the multidimensional aspects of health and requires more studies of high quality to identify the precise impact of CR on health status and longevity.

Effects of Caloric Restriction and Rope-Skipping Exercise on Cardiometabolic Health: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial in Young Adults

“…In the present study, exercise intervention was designed as an RS exercise, and no effects of exercise intervention were found on the participants’ CV health. Although a few studies have demonstrated the improvement of LDL-C levels by CR or exercise intervention [ 23 , 30 , 31 ], in the present study, we only observed the improvement of LDL-C levels by the CR and RS combined intervention. The lack of improvement with CR or RS alone may be due to the short duration of the intervention in this study, but to some extent, it suggests that the combined intervention of CR and exercise may have a more significant effect on lipid levels [ 32 ].…”

“…Although CR and exercise intervention were differently designed in various studies, prior results provided evidence that CR and exercise leads to weight loss and improvements in body composition [ 23 ]. In CALERIE phase one trials, Michael et al demonstrated that 6 months of CR with or without exercise resulted in similar weight loss (10%) [ 10 ].…”

Iron Beats Electricity: Resistance Training but Not Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Improves Cardiometabolic Health in Obese Metabolic Syndrome Patients during Caloric Restriction—A Randomized-Controlled Study

“…Diet modification, in particular caloric restriction (CR), is a crucial component in the treatment of obesity [ 6 , 7 ]. It has been suggested that both intermittent and continuous CR may provide beneficial effects in promoting weight loss and metabolic improvements in overweight/obese men and women [ 8 ].…”

SIRT6 in Senescence and Aging-Related Cardiovascular Diseases

“…Caloric restriction (CR), the significant decrease in calorie intake, is a strategy for improving health and increasing lifespan ( Madeo et al, 2019 ). It has been shown to improve heart function, suppress markers of inflammation and reduce the risk of CVDs and diabetes in humans ( Caristia et al, 2020 ; Kirkham et al, 2020 ). The beneficial effects of CR occur through an extreme wide range of molecular mechanisms, largely overlapping with epigenetic factors like sirtuins ( Gensous et al, 2019 ) and the promotion of autophagy process ( Abdellatif et al, 2018 ).…”