Longevity & Calorie Restriction
For centuries, aging men and women have searched for a secret to living longer. Ponce de Leon's legendary search for the fountain of youth symbolizes mankind's pursuit of extended life. Some scientists and researchers believe that they may have found one strategy for extending life. According to a 1992 Univerity of California study conducted by Linda Youngman, Jin-Young Park, and Bruce Ames that focused on longevity in mice, calorie restriction may be the long-sought secret to longevity.
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Calorie Restriction
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You need to consider how many calories you consume daily. The Center for Disease Control reports that the average man in the United States consumes 2,745 calories per day while the average women consumes 1,833. A dieter who embarks on a calorie-restrictive diet will reduce the number of calories by as much as one-third, depending on how severe the calorie restriction. The average woman on a calorie restrictive diet will consume 1,222 calories, while the average man will consume 1,830 calories.
Restricting Calories in Humans
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Fewer calories means lower weight. The National Institute of Aging is funding a study entitled Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy or Calorie. The purpose of the calorie study is to determine the effects of two years of calorie restriction on humans. According to researchers conducting the calorie study, if you're consuming a normal number of calories and switch to a calorie restricted diet, you should expect to lose 15% percent of your body weight. The other effects of calorie restriction on humans are still being studied.
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Studies Linking Longevity to Calorie Restriction
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Scientists are searching for the secret to longevity In 1935, Clive McKay of Cornell University discovered that rats consuming fewer calories lived 30% longer than rats consuming a normal number of calories. Research into the effects of calorie restriction have continued since McKay's observations. A study conducted by Steven Austad of Harvard University in 1988 indicated that the lifespan of spiders was extended by restricting calories. And James Jiang and a group or researchers from Louisiana State University conducted a study in 2000 and observed that reducing the food intake of yeast increased lifespan. Some scientists are trying to determine if the results of such studies extend to human life.
Benefits
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Researchers determine the benefits of calorie restriction According to Dr. William Kraus, cardiologist at Duke University Medical Center, calorie restriction is the only practice that has been shown to "slow the aging process, extend lifespan, and maintain health and vitality." Studies on calorie restriction in animals reveal the following benefits: lowered risk of developing diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, reduction of cholesterol levels, increased lifespan, and creation of nerves in animals with Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease and strokes.
Risks
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Be careful when embarking on a low-calorie diet Before embarking on a calorie-restricted diet, consult a dietitian and ensure that your diet has adequate nutrition. A diet that lacks necessary nutrients for health will adversely affect your immune system, bone density and ability to concentrate and focus. Women may experience irregularities in menstruation. According to the Mayo Clinic, "excessive calorie restriction can cause anemia, dizziness, depression, irritability, lethargy and swelling of hands and feet. Ensure that your diet is beneficial, not detrimental to your health.
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References
Resources
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