Effect of long-term calorie restriction with adequate protein and micronutrients on thyroid hormones.
BACKGROUND
Caloric restriction (CR) retards aging in mammals. It has been hypothesized that a reduction in T(3) hormone may increase life span by conserving energy and reducing free-radical production.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to assess the relationship between long-term CR with adequate protein and micronutrient intake on thyroid function in healthy lean weight-stable adult men and women.


METHODS
In this study, serum thyroid hormones were evaluated in 28 men and women (mean age, 52 +/- 12 yr) consuming a CR diet for 3-15 yr (6 +/- 3 yr), 28 age- and sex-matched sedentary (WD), and 28 body fat-matched exercising (EX) subjects who were eating Western diets.


METHODS
Serum total and free T(4), total and free T(3), reverse T(3), and TSH concentrations were the main outcome measures.


RESULTS
Energy intake was lower in the CR group (1779 +/- 355 kcal/d) than the WD (2433 +/- 502 kcal/d) and EX (2811 +/- 711 kcal/d) groups (P < 0.001). Serum T(3) concentration was lower in the CR group than the WD and EX groups (73.6 +/- 22 vs. 91.0 +/- 13 vs. 94.3 +/- 17 ng/dl, respectively) (P < or = 0.001), whereas serum total and free T(4), reverse T(3), and TSH concentrations were similar among groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term CR with adequate protein and micronutrient intake in lean and weight-stable healthy humans is associated with a sustained reduction in serum T(3) concentration, similar to that found in CR rodents and monkeys. This effect is likely due to CR itself, rather than to a decrease in body fat mass, and could be involved in slowing the rate of aging.
Fontana
Luigi
L
Washington University School of Medicine, 4566 Scott Avenue, Campus Box 8113, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. lfontana@im.wustl.edu
Klein
Samuel
S
Holloszy
John O
JO
Premachandra
Bhartur N
BN
D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood; D014285:Triiodothyronine, Reverse / Q000097:blood; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D018977:Micronutrients; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D014285:Triiodothyronine, Reverse; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine