Those roundworms that stand ready to attack us and feed off our bodies’ cells, leading to various diseases, can be of threat for our health, but, is of great help to scientists – not to come up with something good for us, but the teeming microbial world.
Yes, they may help decode the mystery behind the only ‘scientifically-verified’ way that can lead creatures to live longer — calorie restriction.
These humble, though not for humans, roundworm-muscles’ fluorescent microscopic view may provide the clue to the mystery that has been baffling scientists for long. Thanks to the roundworm C. elegans.
Studies reveal that thriving on a low-calorie diet, i.e. eating perhaps 70% of the calories normally consumed — including adequate vitamins and other nutrients in the diet — extends the almost lives, anything from simple yeasts to mice and that too by about 40%.
Hope this is enough a clear-cut message for the obesity-attacked world. So, fat people, who still can’t cut down on their junk-food lifestyles, the above statistics should be enough to boost your desire and will power to keep those junks and aerated drinks away.
In this longevity-diet study, a lot of genes have been implicated in caloric restriction’s effects on longevity. But, it is in the roundworms, the researchers found the gene — called skn-1b – that seems essential.
Though people have these gene-forms, they were till this discovery, thought to useful in forming skin early in life. The genes were also thought to act as an antioxidant as well.
But, it is only in this recent study, it is found to be perhaps one of the future answers to obesity pandemic soaring across the world.
