Calorie Restriction and Aging

There was an article printed recently in a special diet and health issue of Scientific American that covered the subject of calorie restriction and its effects on aging. It was interesting to note that this article was originally done 10 years ago, yet the subject still remains new today.

Chances are, you may not have heard of the calorie restriction concept. It is based on research done with rats, fruit flies, fish and other types of creatures. The investigation started in the 1930s have shown that a decreased calorie diet can slow the signs of aging. The test subjects lived up to 20% longer and were healthier in old age than their counterparts.

Most of the diseases related with aging such as cancer, diabetes, cataracts and hypertension were significantly delayed in the low calorie rats. The benefits included:

• Reduced body temperature
• Later sexual maturation
• Reduced weight
• Less abdominal fat
• Reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• Later onset of age-related diseases
• Longer life span

Needless to say, the next step was testing on primates. In 1987, testing was started on rhesus and squirrel monkeys. Although the preliminary results look interesting, it's a little too soon for anything definitive. The test subjects had their food consumption decreased by 30-40% of what was considered normal for their species.

What About Humans?

Since the article 10 years ago was published, the calorie restriction field (CR) has become quite popular. In fact, there is now an organization of individuals dedicated to the CR way of life. One of the findings from the experimental investigation is that a CR diet may slow free radical production. Free radicals are what increases the aging process.

Obviously, just reducing your caloric intake isn't what CR is all about. It's not a matter of limiting your fat, protein or carbohydrates. Supplementation alone with vitamins or antioxidants doesn't work either. You'll need to lower the calories you consume, not the nutrients. Get knowledgeable about CR first. The link at the end of this article will give you some resources if you are curious in exploring further.

For most of us, maintaining a calorie restricted diet as a means of anti aging is not an choice we would consider. In CR, a regular meal of 1200 calories would be decreased to 940. Without the proper knowledge and guidance, one could easily become malnourished.

Don't Be Fooled

This article is for informational purposes only. Don't be fooled into thinking that reducing your caloric intake will help in your anti-aging regime. Scientists still disagree on many things in the nutrition arena, including whether some fat is beneficial to the elderly. Then there's the whole issue of eating disorders. Staying on a healthy well-balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise is still the wisest advice. For some healthy ways to fight the aging process, see the link at the end of this article.

What's Happening In The Future?

Believe it or not, scientists are working on a pill that mimics the processes found in the CR diet. This pill would allow you to get the benefits of a calorie restricted diet without feeling hungry. I guess the cartoon "The Jetsons" wasn't that far off.

For sources and links for more calorie restriction information, click here:

Calorie Restriction Resources