Short-Term Dietary Intervention Alters Physiological Profiles Relevant to Ageing

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nutritional Science
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Aging is a complex process influenced by lifestyle, with biological aging varying individually.
• The Klemera-Doubal Method (KDM) estimates biological age using composite biomarkers and is linked to health outcomes.
• Dietary factors, including protein source and macronutrient composition, may modify physiological aging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of dietary interventions on KDM-derived biological age estimates in older adults.
• To determine if changes in protein source and macronutrient composition alter the delta age (δAge) calculated by the KDM.
• To assess the short-term responsiveness of KDM-derived δAge to dietary manipulation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the Nutrition for Healthy Living study, a 2x2 factorial dietary intervention trial.
• 104 participants aged 65-75 years were randomized to four diets: omnivorous/high-fat (OHF), omnivorous/high-carbohydrate (OHC), semi-vegetarian/high-fat (VHF), or semi-vegetarian/high-carbohydrate (VHC).
• KDM-derived δAge was calculated pre- and post- a 4-week intervention period.

Main Results:

• The omnivorous/high-fat (OHF) group, similar to baseline diets, showed no significant change in δAge.
• Participants on the omnivorous/high-carbohydrate (OHC) diet demonstrated a significant reduction in δAge compared to the OHF group.
• Semi-vegetarian diets (VHF and VHC) also showed reductions in δAge relative to OHF, though not all reached statistical significance.

Conclusions:

• KDM-derived δAge is responsive to dietary changes within a 4-week period.
• Dietary shifts may serve as a proxy for evaluating changes in physiological status.
• Further long-term studies are required to ascertain if these dietary changes alter aging trajectories or reduce age-related disease risks.