Calorie Restriction (CR) as anti aging strategy

[WillBrink]

Does Caloric Restriction (CR) work in fitness oriented/non obese humans? CR is all the rage with anti aging groups, but are they off the mark?

Author Monica Mollica examines that issue in depth.

"If you are following the anti-aging media news, you’ve heard about the alleged benefits of calorie restriction (also known as food restriction or diet restriction). Studies in numerous species have demonstrated that reduction of calories 30-50% below ad libitum levels of a nutritious diet slows the aging process, increases lifespan, reduces the incidence and delays the onset of age-related diseases, improves stress resistance, and decelerates functional decline."

http://www.brinkzone.com/articles/ca...-obese-humans/

[Abraxas]

You know, I keep reading about this but I just find it hard to believe. Now I am not a Dr. or a scientist so I don't know shit. But I do know it seems when it is health related there is always something contradicting the last thing. So I guess I need a better understanding before I buy in.

[WillBrink]

You know, I keep reading about this but I just find it hard to believe. Now I am not a Dr. or a scientist so I don't know shit. But I do know it seems when it is health related there is always something contradicting the last thing. So I guess I need a better understanding before I buy in.

It works well in animals, and she explains why it may not work so well in non obese humans. However, many have jumped on the CR bandwagon well short of solid data it will do jack sh&% for humans per se. That's the take home at least. If you're a science nerd type, a very good article worth a read.

[D.S. Brown]

I've seen some pictures of people that do this. More than a few looked like they were standing on deaths doorstep. Unfortunately for them that door wasn't gonna open for awhile, yet they had to live this life.

I'm no doctor or scientist either, but on the other end of the spectrum we are in an obesity "epidemic" that DOES have proven negative health benefits, not the least of which is the steady increases in portion sizes in the last 30 years, supported by the use of HFCS, and transfats.

What I'm getting at is that I believe that we could afford to see an over all reduction in calories as a culture, but extreme reduction such as what these people do I don't agree with. Some of the things I've read in the past have spoken about adults practicing this eating 1000 - 1200 calories a day. I guess in theory that would slow down your metabolism, possibly causing you to age slower, but at what cost to quality of life. What kind of energy do they have to participate in day to day? I'm losing inches around the waist right now at 1800 calories a day with moderate exercise. I can tell you that if I miss my late afternoon snack my body starts to run out of gas.

I guess in the end I would just ask whatever happened to eating a good balance of quality food, with moderate exercise, and avoiding at risk behaviors like smoking, drugs, and drinking to excess, as a recipe for health and longevity?

Best,

Dave