Calorie Restriction: the Anti Aging Diet

Finding the secret to staying younger longer is a popular area of research. Advice on the subject ranges from things that seem like they would be common sense such as eating well and exercising often to areas that are more controversial like human growth hormone (HGH) and calorie restriction. Calorie restriction is also known as the anti aging diet; it is based on the theory that by eating far less calories humans (and other creatures) are able to slow the aging process.



The Research behind the Anti Aging Diet



The research behind the anti aging diet dates back to 1934, when scientists named Clive McCay and Mary Crowell noticed that when laboratory rats were fed all the needed nutrients but the calories in their diets were drastically cut, the rats lived up to two times as long as the rats that were not on this specialized diet. These results have proven consistent over all animals and insects tested so far with the exception of the house fly.



Some of the other organisms tested thus far include fruit flies, spiders, mice, and drosophila. Tests on primates are currently underway, but due to their long lifespan results do not yet exist. Certain tests are also being conducted on human volunteers however, due to the long lifespan of our species, these test are sill underway.



What the Anti Aging Diet Entails and Possible Side-Effects



The anti aging diet requires that the person on the diet restrict their diet on a large degree. It’s not just cutting back on a meal here and there. This brings up the possible danger of not getting the necessary nutrients a person needs to live in a healthy manner.One caveat to the anti aging diet is that the cause of why this may work is still unknown. Theories on this subject have been mostly proven false. Certain studies have claimed that the benefits of calorie restriction only benefit the young, although other studies have contradicted this claim. Generally speaking, the evidence to support or deny the claim that calorie restriction slows the aging process in humans is lacking. Further studies must be completed before anyone can determine for certain the benefits and risk of this type of program.Alternative MethodsThere are alternatives for individuals not willing to change their entire lifestyle to institute a practice that is difficult and thus far, unproven. Simply eating healthier can at the very least make ones’ quality of life improve, and likely the length of ones’ life as well. Eating a diet that is full of fruits, vegetables, red meat, fish, and chicken is one way to start. Avoiding processed foods and certain fats has been shown to improve a persons’ overall health. Whatever diet a person decides to pursue, exercise still remains an important element to staying healthy and living longer as well.

Author: steven lin