: If caloric restriction in mamals works be changing cellular activity into a survive and protect mode, potentially increasing lifespans, why didn’t our prehistoric ancestors with low caloric budgets not live long?

Question

: If caloric restriction in mamals works be changing cellular activity into a survive and protect mode, potentially increasing lifespans, why didn’t our prehistoric ancestors with low caloric budgets not live long?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Our ancestors lived in a hostile environment where they were preyed upon by carnivorous animals, had no access to medicine, and limited access to clean water. Surviving to reproductive age was the real accomplishment in furthering the species.

Caloric restriction alone doesn’t cause an animal to live longer. Although a slow metabolism can allow an organism go live longer there’s a lot more factors in play.