I think by now most people have heard about the theory that calorie restriction leads to a longer life. But in case you haven't, I'll sum it up for you. There have been some animal studies that suggest that eating a low-calorie diet can slow down the aging process, preventing a myriad of diseases and extending the lifespan. Interestingly, it seems that it is calorie restriction specifically and not just leanness or weight control that provides the benefit. Physical activity, while helpful, did not slow down aging the way that calorie restriction did in the animal studies.
An article in the New York Times discusses the concept and a new study that seeks to evaluate the hypothesis in humans. It seems very likely that the results will be positive. Participants interviewed for the Times article have lost weight and have greatly improved their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
I have to say, I'm not sure why people seem to think this approach is so severe, when the people in this study are eating 1600-2500 calories a day. It's hardly a starvation diet. And if it can help us live a lot longer and healthier, isn't it worth it?
No comments:
Post a Comment