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From allisa, Age 13

this is an article i found that might be helpful-Eat Less and You'll Live Longer. Why? Scientists recently figured out that if you eat fewer calories, it could increase your lifespan by as much as 40 percent. Now they may also understand WHY: the mutations of two particular genes seem to work in tandem with a low-cal diet to orchestrate a longer life.This past summer, a research team at the National Institute on Aging found three specific biological markers in rodents who are fed less and live longer: lower temperature, lower insulin levels, and a steady level of a steroid hormone called DHEAS...These same markers have also been found in men who are living longest in a continuing study in Baltimore on human aging. And the correlation between the two is exciting. "This means that the biological characteristics of animals that are on calorie-restricted diets seem to apply to longevity in people," NIA study leader George S. Roth explained to The Associated Press.Fast forward four months to December. Scientists from the Yale University School of Medicine and the University of Connecticut have identified how particular mutations in a fruit fly gene work together with a restricted calorie diet to extend the insects' lives. They hope that unraveling the cellular mechanisms by which a low-cal diet stretches the life span, they can eventually find a way to "mimic" some of the health benefits of calorie cutting--without having to actually eat less. This is the ultimate way to have your cake and eat it, too. Cautioning that "the emphasis is on the word 'eventually'," lead study author Stewart Frankel did tell Reuters he believes the Yale-UConn team has identified the genes that are the "master switches" of the mechanism by which calorie restriction affects longevity. Now they have to figure out how the molecules work that carry out the genes' orders. "We have the coaches, but we need to know who the players are," Frankel explained.What's so enticing about this possible fountain of youth is that previous studies in the expanded life span of yeast, worms, insects, rodents, and monkeys suggest that it's not just a longer life that is created, but also a healthier one.Meanwhile, the NIA team is collecting data from the human study on lifespan through the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. The biological markers that have been found in super-aged rats were also seen in old monkeys--both of which were on low-cal diets. While none of the men in the Baltimore study are on a calorie-restricted diet, some of them have the same biological markers and are enjoying an extraordinary life span. "Whatever it is, they have those biological characteristics, and they seem to live longer," said Roth.Here's the gotcha for human beings: A diet restriction of 30 percent or 40 percent may extend life, but it's not practical for most people and could be unhealthy. But what IS hoped is that this research will lead to the discovery of drugs that could mimic the effects and life span benefits of calorie restriction. Pop a pill and live longer WHILE you eat your cake.Both studies were published in the journal Science.--Cathryn Conro