Understanding the odd science of aging

Abstract

nological complexities of the senescent phenotype, One of the most widely studied phenomena in aging has helped clear a path toward unravelling the work- research, known for 70 years, is the effect of dietary ings of the aging process. Nevertheless, the intrinsic restriction (DR)—underfeeding without malnutrition—in complexity of aging remains a significant challenge to extending life span in laboratory rodents and other spe-understanding how aging is caused. cies. The effects are substantial, resulting in as much as a 50 % increase in rodent longevity. When gene ex-pression is compared in DR and normally fed animals, a*Correspondence