Valine Restriction Extends Male Mice Lifespan 23%, Improves Healthspan in Both Sexes
Updated
Updated · Nature.com · Jul 24
Valine Restriction Extends Male Mice Lifespan 23%, Improves Healthspan in Both Sexes
2 articles · Updated · Nature.com · Jul 24
Summary
A lifelong diet cutting valine by 67% raised median lifespan in male C57BL/6J mice by 23.42%, while improving frailty scores, metabolic health and other healthspan measures in both sexes.
Both male and female mice stayed leaner and showed better glucose control despite eating more calories relative to body weight, with the study linking the effect to higher energy expenditure and thermogenesis rather than lower food intake.
Valine-restricted mice also showed lower cancer prevalence, reduced senescent cell burden and less neuroinflammation; female mice gained short-term memory benefits, but lifespan extension was not significant in females.
Liver analyses pointed to a male-specific rise in mitochondrial respiration as a possible mechanism, even as some signaling results were mixed, including increased hepatic AKT and mTORC1 activity usually associated with faster aging.
The findings add to evidence that protein quality—not just calorie or total protein intake—can shape aging, though the work was limited to one mouse strain, one restriction level and early-life intervention.