Exploring Aging: Caloric Restriction and the Promise of Rapamycin

Caloric restriction is a key factor in promoting tissue regeneration and recycling damaged products, crucial for maintaining health as one ages. Although the effectiveness of caloric restriction in humans continues to be debated—especially when contrasting subjects with minimal caloric uptake against those with ad libitum feeding—its benefits in animal studies are notable. Research highlights that caloric restriction activates specific biological pathways associated with longevity. Meanwhile, drugs like rapamycin, which inhibit the TOR pathway similarly to caloric restriction, have shown promise in improving health and extending lifespan in older animals. However, rapamycin is primarily known as an immunosuppressant used in organ transplant recipients, raising concerns about long-term use in healthy individuals due to potential side effects and infection risk. Ongoing research aims to clarify whether a therapeutic dose of rapamycin can provide health benefits without significant adverse effects or if alternative compounds can replicate these benefits securely.