Calorie restriction: If worms live longer, could we live longer, too?
Posted on May 13th 2007 1:32PM by Maggie VinkI've never taken health information from a worm. After reading this article, I'm not going to start. Research has shown that "calorie restriction" diets -- where subjects consume far fewer calories than their body needs, but choose foods carefully so they receive appropriate nutrients -- has extended the life span in worms, flies, and rats.
At this point, researchers are unclear why the very low calorie diets extend the life span of test animals and there's no way to know if those results would extend to humans. Short-term studies of humans practicing calorie restriction show improvements in blood pressure, blood sugar, body fat percentage, cholesterol, heart rate, and weight. However, the flip side of that coin is that the diet can also greatly increase risk of reduced bone density, loss of muscle mass, anemia, memory loss, dizziness, and depression. Worse, if the body doesn't receive appropriate vitamins and nutrients serious health issues can arise and can potentially lead to heart failure or even death.
Anti-aging benefits or not, I know I prefer to eat healthfully and give my body an appropriate amount of calories. I've had success dropping pounds by exercising and cutting small amounts of calories (not the 20 to 25 percent those who follow calorie restriction cut). Have you lost weight successfully? If so, what worked best for you?
At this point, researchers are unclear why the very low calorie diets extend the life span of test animals and there's no way to know if those results would extend to humans. Short-term studies of humans practicing calorie restriction show improvements in blood pressure, blood sugar, body fat percentage, cholesterol, heart rate, and weight. However, the flip side of that coin is that the diet can also greatly increase risk of reduced bone density, loss of muscle mass, anemia, memory loss, dizziness, and depression. Worse, if the body doesn't receive appropriate vitamins and nutrients serious health issues can arise and can potentially lead to heart failure or even death.
Anti-aging benefits or not, I know I prefer to eat healthfully and give my body an appropriate amount of calories. I've had success dropping pounds by exercising and cutting small amounts of calories (not the 20 to 25 percent those who follow calorie restriction cut). Have you lost weight successfully? If so, what worked best for you?
