Following CALERIE participants to learn how calorie restriction affects aging
Long-term multi-omics follow-up of the CALERIE Trial to generate new knowledge for geroscience
Researchers are measuring biological signs of aging in adults who tried long-term calorie restriction to learn whether their bodies aged more slowly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306171 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project follows adults who took part in the CALERIE calorie‑restriction program and re‑examines their stored blood and tissue samples alongside any follow‑up visits. Scientists run multi‑omics tests (genes, proteins, metabolites, and other molecular markers) to create detailed biological aging profiles. They compare people randomized to 25% calorie restriction with those who ate normally to look for slower aging signals. The aim is to find lab measures that predict long‑term health so future therapies can be tested without waiting decades.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (21+) who participated in the original CALERIE trial—non‑obese adults randomized to 25% calorie restriction or normal diet—or people eligible for any active follow‑up visits tied to that cohort.
Not a fit: People who were not part of the CALERIE cohort, those with obesity or conditions not included in the original trial, or anyone expecting an immediate clinical treatment benefit are unlikely to gain direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify reliable markers of biological aging that help develop and speed testing of therapies to extend healthy years.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have shown that geroprotective interventions can slow aging, and the original CALERIE trial tested calorie restriction in humans, making this human multi‑omics follow‑up a promising but still relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Belsky, Daniel Walker — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Belsky, Daniel Walker
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.