subject: Low Calorie Diet The Fountain Of Youth? [print this page] It's common knowledge that cutting calories can lead to weight loss, however can it help one live a longer life? Many people believe it's true. And if tests conducted on animal's dating back to the early twentieth century are any indication, then it may be possible.
In earlier studies, researchers fed mice a low calorie diet which resulted in a 30% increase in lifespan. Recent studies were released that showed Rhesus monkeys on a calorie restrictive diet (a species that is very similar to humans) were healthier and had a 3 times lower chance of dying from age related causes and showed beneficial effects on the brain.
"The new study shows the effects of calorie restriction in primates that are closely related to humans," states Ricki Colman, P.h.D., an associate scientist at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, in Madison. "Monkeys in the calorie-restricted group are more likely to live healthier, longer."
The reason lowering calories is able to slow aging and fight age related diseases is unknown. One factor may be the study participants maintained a healthy BMI. Obesity is a large contributor for many diseases.
So, that's great news for animals, but what about humans? Studies on whether calorie restrictive diets affect humans are still in their infancy, and many of the reasons for why the restricted-calorie diets work are based on theories rather than on scientific fact.
While research on humans has been limited, studies show that utilizing a low-calorie diet for anti-aging can have positive affects on blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, weight issues and body fat levels.
But keep in mind, human tests are still being conducted. For most people, following a less extreme low calorie diet instead of a very low calorie diet which was used in these studies, may also provide anti-aging benefits and improve longevity.
by: Cayden McNamaran
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