How slow , deep breaths induce tranquility Stores of monounsaturated fat help pudgy worms

Pudgy roundworms storing a particular type of fat live longer than their more svelte counterparts, according to a study by researchers at the School of Medicine. This fatty buildup, and the subsequent increase in the worms’ life span, can be stimulated simply by feeding the animals monounsaturated fatty acids like those found in olive oil. Because many species share similar patterns of fat metabolism, it’s possible that the findings could extend to other animals, including humans, the researchers believe. The finding suggests that accumulating a specific type of fat can actually be beneficial. It came as a surprise to the researchers because severe caloric restriction has also been shown to extend the life span of many animals. “We have known for some time that metabolic changes can affect life span, but we expected the long-lived animals in our study would be thinner,” said Anne Brunet, PhD, professor of genetics. “Instead, they turned out to be fatter. This was quite a surprise.” Brunet, who is also an associate director of Stanford’s Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, is the senior author of the study, which By Jennifer Yuan