Time-Restricted Feeding Extends Healthspan in Female and Lifespan in Male C57BL/6J Mice

Area of Science:

• Aging research
• Chronobiology
• Metabolic health

Background:

• Circadian-aligned time-restricted feeding (TRF) shows health benefits.
• Long-term effects of TRF on mammalian healthspan and lifespan under normal diets are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of 12-hour and 8-hour nightly TRF windows on aging in male and female mice.
• To assess TRF's effects on healthspan and lifespan under standard dietary conditions.

Main Methods:

• Male and female mice were subjected to 12-hour or 8-hour nightly time-restricted feeding (TRF) windows.
• Regular chow was provided, and health measures including behavior, body weight, composition, frailty, and disease onset were monitored.
• A composite Healthspan Index was used to evaluate overall health improvements.

Main Results:

• TRF improved behavioral regularity, body weight and composition, frailty, and delayed disease onset in mice.
• The 8-hour TRF group exhibited more significant improvements, partly due to self-imposed caloric restriction.
• TRF demonstrated sex-specific effects, with enhanced healthspan in females and a 12% lifespan extension in males with 8-hour TRF.

Conclusions:

• Time-restricted feeding, particularly an 8-hour window, positively impacts aging markers and healthspan in mice.
• TRF exerts sex-specific effects on longevity, extending lifespan in males.
• These findings highlight the potential of circadian-aligned TRF for promoting healthy aging.