If healthy middle-aged people eat 14% less food for two years, a certain gene in their fat tissue becomes less active, and this change is linked to better energy use, less body-wide inflammation, and healthier metabolism — meaning this gene might help the body adapt to eating less.

Cutting calories by 14% for two years might reprogram fat tissue in middle-aged people in ways that reduce inflammation and boost energy burning, which could help them stay healthier longer.

Deleting a specific gene in middle-aged mice helps keep their immune system stronger as they age, kind of like how eating less does — so blocking that gene’s protein might help slow immune aging.