Michael Giberson
The dramatic finish to an article in The Economist:
If inherited epigenetic changes were causing daughter rotifers to produce more catalase, it would raise the question of whether a similar thing happens in other species and, if so, whether it might be induced artificially, without all the tedious business of a lifetime’s starvation.
Maybe that makes more sense if you read the full article.
In any case, yes, a lifetime of starvation (or less dramatically, “caloric restriction”) seems like a high price to pay for extending lifespan a bit. If we can brew something up in a tea, or better yet create a syrup to pour over ice cream, I’m in favor.
Calorie restriction is not how I roll.
My candle burns at both ends
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends –
It gives a lovely light.
“A Few Figs from Thistles” by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Millay! Thanks for that.
Google the term “calorie restriction mimetic”. There are such substances.
Bear in mind the distinction between calorie restriction
and food restriction. Years ago I traded away Twinkies for
tomatoes and gave up soda pop completely. A major sacrifice
to be sure but hardly starvation. As a consequence my weight,
blood pressure, and fasting glucose all gradually improved.
I weigh 30% less now than when I finished high school
30 years ago. I don’t expect to live to 120, but I do expect
to suffer less ill health than if I hadn’t made the change.