Calorie restriction mimetics from functional foods: impact on promoting a healthy life span

Abstract

Aging is a complex process of functional decline at the molecular, cellular, and organ system levels. Even as human life expectancy is being prolonged, age-related diseases continue to be major obstacles for healthy aging and longevity. Evidence from different biological models ranging from yeasts, worms, flies, rodents, and primates to humans suggests a number of conserved aging mechanisms offer pathways to maintain the “youthful” states. Calorie restriction remains the most robust nongenetic approach for extending health and life span. It slows primary aging and effectively protects secondary aging in both animals and humans. Calorie restriction mimetics (CRMs) targeting the molecular aging pathways have emerged as a promising strategy for combating age-related morbidities. This chapter introduces a number of CRMs derived from functional foods and discusses their mechanisms of action in mimicking calorie restriction.