Dietary restriction and lifespan: Control and modeling

Abstract

Effect of dietary restriction on extended lifespan for various living organisms is examined. The fact that lifespan increases with moderate dietary restriction and the increase is determined by diet components, not the calorie content is noted. The following hypothesis is considered: change in the lifespan under dietary restriction is related to transition of the organism to the nonsteady state when control processes become activated for recovery to the stationary state. The energy expenditures for reproduction decreases, metabolism alteration sets in, and the substrate yield goes up. The extended life span observable in a number of cases may be a collateral result of these processes. Simulated results that confirm these inferences have been obtained.