A European study has identified a group of proteins that could help scientists understand the biochemical processes of ageing.

Research conducted in Spain and Italy, due to be published in the July 3rd issue of ACS' monthly Journal of Proteome Research, has presented findings that may provide a way of explaining why women live longer than men and why calorie restriction alone is proven to boost longevity.

Previous studies have suggested that factors such as hormones, stress, and cardiovascular health among others, may affect life spans.

Now, using laboratory rats, Dr Adamo Valle and colleagues discovered a set of unrecognised cellular pathways that could be involved in the longevity of females and those who follow a low-calorie diet.

The findings revealed that both female rats and those on calorie-restricted diets produced different levels of 27 proteins than male rates and those fed on a normal diet.

According to Dr Bradley J Wilcox, lead author of a study on longevity conducted at the Pacific Health Research Institute in Hawaii, good grip strength, regulated blood pressure and normal levels of triglycerides are all factors which can boost longevity in humans.

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