Potential and unsolved problems concerning caloric restriction in nutritional therapeutics for the purpose of promoting health and controlling ageing

Abstract

Overeating and obesity are major health problems even in the elderly since they lead to the metabolic syndrome, resulting in an increase in cardiovascular disease. The development of novel nutritional therapeutics for the purpose of promoting health and controlling ageing process aims at the self-helping elderly. Caloric restriction (CR) has been widely investigated as a powerful method that can prevent and reverse senescent changes. CR might counteract the deleterious aspects of metabolic syndrome and may prolong lifespan even in humans. However, we should keep in mind that several fundamental issues about CR still remain unsolved. In addition, malnutrition and nutritional troubles are emerging problems in the elderly in care. Thus, we emphasize that nutritional intervention aiming at ageing control should be established and be developed as a custom-made therapeutics for the elderly, who show great individual variation.