Qualitative versus quantitative caloric intake: are they equivalent paths to successful aging?

With the increasing demands placed on our society to perform better for longer, in addition to the large increase in the old segment of our population, a race has begun to forestall or reverse the ubiquitous declines that emerge from growing old. Currently, little is known about the mechanisms responsible for the neuronal degeneration seen during both normal aging and neurodegenerative disease; however, among the prime candidates responsible for producing these effects are free radicals. It has been hypothesized that brain aging results from a progressive inability to cope with such insults as oxidative stress and inflammation. As a result, this inability provides a fertile environment for the subsequent development of neurodegenerative disease. Therefore, if the preservation of neuronal function and associated cognitive and motor performance during aging will enhance the probability of aging successfully, then it is of crucial importance to find ways to preserve or decrease the responsiveness of the brain to these insults. The purpose of this review is to discuss two strategies, caloric restriction and antioxidant supplementation (through foods and supplements), both proven to be successful at protecting the brain from age-related oxidative insults. The two interventions will be compared and contrasted in terms of their effectiveness, safety, and generalization capacity for human treatment.