Effects of caloric restriction on the reduction of age-related diseases and increased longevity. Effects of caloric restriction on the reduction of age-related diseases and increased longevity. Caloric restriction (CR), at safe levels, has been shown to reduce the onset of various age-related diseases, as well as increase cellular longevity in both in vivo and in vitro models. CR can act as an activator of SIRT1, which inhibits FOXO proteins, leading to a reduction in apoptosis. Moreover, CR has been characterized as a modulator of aberrant DNA methylation patterns, which are often associated with the aging process. Studies have shown that hypermethylation of the p16 promoter can be facilitated by CR, causing a notable decrease in p16 expression and subsequent evasion of cellular senescence. Michael Daniel, and Trygve O. Tollefsbol J Exp Biol 2015;218:59-70 © 2015. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd