The calorically restricted low-fat nutrient-dense diet in Biosphere 2 significantly lowers blood glucose, total leukocyte count, cholesterol, and blood pressure in humans.

Abstract

Biosphere 2 is a 3.15-acre space containing an ecosystem that is energetically open (sunlight, electric power, and heat) but materially closed, with air, water, and organic material being recycled. Since September 1991, eight subjects (four women and four men) have been sealed inside, living on food crops grown within. Their diet, low in calories (average, 1780 kcal/day; 1 kcal = 4.184 kJ), low in fat (10% ofcalories), and nutrient-dense, conforms to that which in numerous animal experiments has promoted health, retarded aging, and extended maximum life span. We report here medical data on the eight subjects, comparing preclosure data with data through 6 months of closure. Significant changes included: (i) weight, 74 to 62 kg (men) and 61 to 54 kg (women); (i) mean systolic/diasolic blood pressure (eight subjects), 109/74 to 89/58 mmHg (1 mmfg = 133 Pa); (iit) total serum cholesterol, from 191 ± 11 to 123 ± 9 mg/dl (mean ± SD; 36% mean reduction), and high density lipoprotein, from 62 ± 8 to 38 ± 5 (risk ratio unchanged); (iv) triglyceride, 139 to 96 mg/di (men) and 78 to 114 mg/di (women); (v) fasting glucose, 92 to 74 mg/dl; (vi) leukocyte count, 6.7 to 4.7 x 10 cells per liter. We conclude that drastic reductions in cholesterol and blood pressure may be instituted in normal individuals in Western countries by application of a carefully chosen diet and that a low-calorie nutrient-dense regime shows physiologic features in humans similar to those in other animal species.

The Retardation of Aging by Caloric Restriction: Studies in Rodents and Primates

“…Also, 8 people living in a controlled, confined, and controversial environment (the Biosphere) were forced to reduce their calorie intake for -2 yr due to lower than expected food production. However, they were able to avoid malnutrition and showed several changes in their physiology and blood chemistry like those seen in rodents subjected to CR such as decreases in weight, mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure, total serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, fasting glucose, and leukocyte count (18).…”

Caloric Restriction Increases Learning Consolidation and Facilitates Synaptic Plasticity through Mechanisms Dependent on NR2B Subunits of the NMDA Receptor

“…Moreover, studies in humans indicate that some metabolic markers of aging improve with CR diets (Walford et al, 1992(Walford et al, , 2002Verdery and Walford, 1998;Heilbronn and Ravussin, 2003).…”

Cardioprotection by Intermittent Fasting in Rats

“…8 -10 Long-term caloric restriction has been reported to reduce arterial blood pressure and serum lipid concentrations, known metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease. 11,12 The antioxidant potential and antiinflammatory properties of dietary restriction have been reported. 4 Significant reductions of postischemic oxidative stress and inflammatory response have been shown in the myocardium of calorie-restricted rats.…”