Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
12:23
Measuring Caenorhabditis elegans Life Span in 96 Well Microtiter Plates
Published on: March 18, 2011
38.0K
A Ketogenic Diet Extends Longevity and Healthspan in Adult Mice
Megan N Roberts1, Marita A Wallace2, Alexey A Tomilov1
1Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
Cell Metabolism
|September 7, 2017
Summary
A ketogenic diet (KD) extended lifespan and improved healthspan in mice by mimicking calorie restriction
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Metabolic Research
- Nutritional Science and Longevity Studies
Background:
- Calorie restriction (CR) without malnutrition is known to extend lifespan.
- CR promotes a metabolic shift from glycolysis towards beta-oxidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of low-carbohydrate diets on longevity and healthspan in mice.
- To mimic the metabolic shift associated with CR using ketogenic diets (KD).
Main Methods:
- C57BL/6 mice were fed a ketogenic, low-carbohydrate, or control diet starting at 12 months of age.
- Mice were monitored for natural lifespan or assessed for physiological function after 1 or 14 months of dietary intervention.
Main Results:
- The ketogenic diet significantly increased median lifespan and survival rates compared to control diets.
- Aged mice on the KD showed preserved physiological function.
- The KD modulated protein acetylation and mTORC1 signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- Ketogenic diets can extend longevity and enhance healthspan in mice.
- Dietary interventions mimicking CR's metabolic effects show promise for promoting healthy aging.
