The disposable soma theory postulates that a body allocates a limited amount of energy in undertaking key physiological activities of metabolism, reproduction, and somatic maintenance. Metabolism demands require energy to grow and develop cells, tissues, and organs in the body. To ensure generation progress, adults spend their energy in reproduction activities in conception, nursing, and taking care of young ones. Due to the prevalence of damage to genetic materials, cells, tissues, and organs, the body also budgets energy for repair and maintenance purposes.
In this view, aging occurs when the body allocates more of its energies to metabolic activities of growth and reproduction, making repair and maintenance short of energy. Dietary restriction is one of the interventions that slow down growth and allows the body to focus on repair and maintenance rather than growth in body size. This intervention extends production, increases resistance to harmful chemicals, prevents obesity, and decreases diabetes risk.