A mostly plant and fish based diet with low protein and carefully balanced levels of an amino acid found in foods like eggs, meat, and dairy helped mice stay healthier as they aged, according to new research from the University of Southern California. The diet increased healthspan, reduced body fat, and lowered frailty in older mice.
The findings, published in Cell Metabolism, were supported by an analysis of dietary and health data from more than 200,000 people conducted by researchers from USC, the University of Toronto, and Harvard University. People who followed more plant focused eating patterns also showed lower rates of obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
Together, the mouse and human findings suggest that a Mediterranean inspired "longevity diet" centered on mostly vegan or vegetarian foods with fish may offer important health benefits. According to senior author Valter Longo, the diet provides low but adequate amounts of methionine and other essential amino acids.
A longevity diet inspired by the Mediterranean
Longo has spent years studying how nutrition influences aging and disease. His previous work has focused on the traditional low protein, plant centered Mediterranean diets commonly found in parts of southern Europe, where people often live exceptionally long lives.
