Caloric restriction diets have been associated with various health benefits, but their effects on the skin have not been previously demonstrated. Research conducted at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil shows that controlling calories helps mice live longer, although it reduces the reserves of fat in adipose tissue needed to keep the body warm.
Caloric restriction diets have been associated with various health benefits, but their effects on the skin have not been previously demonstrated. Research conducted at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil shows that controlling calories helps mice live longer, although it reduces the reserves of fat in adipose tissue needed to keep the body warm.
To offset this effect of the diet, the cutaneous tissue of the mice stimulated fur growth and increased blood flow to warm the skin.
The authors also observed changes in cell metabolism. The mice displayed an adaptive response to remain warm – and alive – under conditions of limited food.
The research was conducted during Maria Fernanda Forni’s postdoctoral fellowship at USP’s Chemistry Institute with support from FAPESP and supervision by Alicia Kowaltowski. This research was part of the Thematic Project “Mitochondrial bioenergetics, ion transport, redox state and DNA metabolism” for which Kowaltowski was principal investigator.
Read more at Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Image: A study shows that caloric restriction diet reduces body fat and increases fur production in mice. This research from the University of São Paulo, in Brazil, was published in Cell Reports (Credit: Alicia Kowaltowski / USP)
