Protein restriction may increase longevity, study review suggests

A review of more than 350 scientific studies published in the journal Cell Press Blue suggests that reducing protein consumption may offer health benefits and increase life expectancy for a significant portion of the population.

The research investigated how nutrient restriction affects the aging process, observing improvements in metabolism and a reduction in cellular damage. While protein is essential for muscle growth and exercise response in active individuals, researcher Dudley Lamming from the University of Wisconsin-Madison notes that many sedentary people likely consume more protein than necessary, which may lead to negative health consequences.

Studies involving flies and rodents indicated that protein restriction can increase longevity even without reducing total calorie intake. Human clinical trials showed that individuals consuming less protein experienced reductions in body weight and fat, as well as improved fasting blood glucose levels, even when consuming more calories. One identified biological mechanism involves the hormone FGF21, which increases when protein intake decreases and may boost energy expenditure, improve glucose control, and reduce inflammation.