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Longevity

Caloric RestrictionEvidence & Dosage

CR mimetics, lifespan research, and NHP studies.

Studies last updated

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
1,000
With abstract
46
Meta / Systematic / RCT
145
Highly cited
50
Publication years
1955–2026

Caloric Restriction in the context of Longevity

This topic is part of our "Longevity" world. There you'll find methodology, evidence and the highest-impact levers — plus the order in which they sensibly build on each other.

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Top studies on Caloric Restriction

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. Extended longevity in mice lacking the insulin receptor in adipose tissue.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)2003200 influential citations

    Caloric restriction has been shown to increase longevity in organisms ranging from yeast to mammals. In some organisms, this has been associated with a decreased fat mass and alterations in insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)…

  2. The effectiveness and acceptability of Mediterranean diet and calorie restriction in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

    Clin Nutr2022n=303meta142 influential citations

    BACKGROUND & AIMS: Lifestyle interventions that focus on reduced energy intake and improved dietary pattern are the mainstay of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) management. However, it remains unclear which dietary approaches…

  3. A meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness of alternate day fasting, the 5:2 diet, and time-restricted eating for weight loss.

    Obesity (Silver Spring)2023n=176meta111 influential citations

    OBJECTIVE: The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of different intermittent fasting (IF) regimens on weight loss, in the general population, and compare these to traditional caloric energy restriction (CER).…

    Finding: In this meta-analysis of 24 RCTs, alternate day fasting ranked as the most effective regimen for weight loss, ahead of caloric energy restriction and time-restricted eating.

  4. A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of exercise training versus hypocaloric diet: distinct effects on body weight and visceral adipose tissue.

    Obes Rev2016n=4,815Meta-Analysis102 influential citations

    Summary Exercise training (‘exercise’) and hypocaloric diet (‘diet’) are frequently prescribed for weight loss in obesity. Whilst body weight changes are commonly used to evaluate lifestyle interventions, visceral adiposity (VAT) is a more…

  5. Intermittent fasting strategies and their effects on body weight and other cardiometabolic risk factors: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.

    BMJ2025n=99Meta-Analysis102 influential citations

    OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of intermittent fasting diets, with continuous energy restriction or unrestricted (ad-libitum) diets on intermediate cardiometabolic outcomes from randomised clinical trials. DESIGN: Systematic review and…

    Finding: In this systematic review and network meta-analysis, all intermittent fasting and continuous energy restriction strategies reduced body weight compared with ad-libitum diets.

  6. Food Timing, Circadian Rhythm and Chrononutrition: A Systematic Review of Time-Restricted Eating's Effects on Human Health.

    Nutrients2020n=494Systematic Review97 influential citations

    Introduction: Recent observations have shown that lengthening the daily eating period may contribute to the onset of chronic diseases. Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a diet that especially limits this daily food window. It could represent…

  7. Effects of Different Exercises Combined with Different Dietary Interventions on Body Composition: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

    Nutrients2024n=78Meta-Analysis71 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Exercise and dietary interventions are essential for maintaining weight and reducing fat accumulation. With the growing popularity of various dietary strategies, evidence suggests that combining exercise with dietary…

  8. Effect of Diet on Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

    J Clin Endocrinol Metab2020n=119meta66 influential citations

    OBJECTIVE: The effect of diet on insulin resistance (IR) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is controversial. Thus, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate whether diet could reduce IR in women with PCOS while…

    Finding: Diet was significantly related to improvements in insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

  9. Central obesity and the Mediterranean diet: A systematic review of intervention trials.

    Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr2018n=718systematic63 influential citations

    Central obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, and is a risk factor for cardiometabolic syndrome. The Mediterranean diet pattern has a convincing evidence-base for improving cardiometabolic health. This review…

  10. Effect of Calorie Restriction and Intermittent Fasting Regimens on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels and Cognitive Function in Humans: A Systematic Review.

    Medicina (Kaunas)2024n=16Systematic Review63 influential citations

    <i>Background:</i> The potential positive interaction between intermittent fasting (IF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on cognitive function has been widely discussed. This systematic review tried to assess the efficacy of…

Frequently asked

What dosage was studied?
• Mediterranean diet, calorie restriction, and Mediterranean diet component interventions (Varied across included studies; calorie restriction dose-response relationship reported but exact amounts not provided in abstract) • very low calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) (not reported)
Which population does the evidence apply to?
Most studies investigated: patient; unknown.
Are there safety considerations for Caloric Restriction?
• No adverse events were reported in the abstract. • Discontinuation on VLCKD was 7.5%. • Serum sodium increased by +1.6 mEq/l during VLCKD. • No change in serum creatinine, uric acid, or potassium was reported.

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