The evidence for increasing one's life span through dietary restriction is enormous and irrefutable. Reduced caloric intake is the only ex perimental technique to consistently extend maximum life span. This has been shown in all species tested, from insects and fish to rats and cats. There are so many hundreds of studies that only a small number are referenced below. Scientists have long known that mice that eat fewer calories live
longer. Recent research has demonstrated the same effect in pri mates, (i.e., you). A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that restricting calories by 30 per
longer. Recent research has demonstrated the same effect in pri mates, (i.e., you). A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that restricting calories by 30 per
cent significantly increased life span in monkeys. The experimental diet, while still providing adequate nourishment, slowed monkeys' metabolism and reduced their body temperatures, changes similar to those in the long-lived thin mice. Decreased levels of triglycerides and increased HDL (the good) cholesterol were also observed.25 Studies
over the years, on many different species of animals, have confirmed that those animals that were fed less lived longest. In fact, allowing an
animal to eat as much food as it desires can reduce its life span by as
animal to eat as much food as it desires can reduce its life span by as
much as one half. High-nutrient, low-calorie eating results in dramatic increases in life span as well as prevention of chronic illnesses. From rodents to primates we see:
• Resistance to experimentally induced cancers
• Protection from spontaneous and genetically predisposed cancers
• A delay in the onset of late-life diseases
• Nonappearance of atherosclerosis and diabetes
• Lower cholesterol and triglycerides and increased HDL
• Improved insulin sensitivity
• Enhancement of the energy-conservation mechanism, includ ing reduced body temperature
• Reduction in oxidative stress
• Reduction in parameters of cellular aging, including cellular congestion
• Enhancement of cellular repair mechanisms, including DNA repair enzymes
• Reduction in inflammatory response and immune cell prolifer ation
• Improved defenses against environmental stresses
• Suppression of the genetic alterations associated with aging
• Protection of genes associated with removal of oxygen radicals
• Inhibited production of metabolites that are potent cross-linking agents
• Slowed metabolic rate2 6
The link between thinness and longevity, and obesity and shorterlife span, is concrete. Another important consideration in other animal studies is that fat restriction has an additional effect onlengthening life span.27 Apparently, higher-fat intake promotes hor
mone production, speeds up reproductive readiness and other indi cators of aging, and promotes the growth of certain tumors. In the wide field of longevity research there is only one finding
that has held up over the years: eating less prolongs life, as long as nutrient intake is adequate. All other longevity ideas are merely con jectural and unproven.28 Such theories include taking hormones such as estrogen, DHEA, growth hormones, and melatonin, as well as nutri tional supplements. So far, there is no solid evidence that supplying the body with any nutritional element over and above the level pres ent in adequate amounts in a nutrient-dense diet will prolong life. This is in contrast to the overwhelming evidence regarding protein and caloric restriction. This important and irrefutable finding is a crucial feature of the H = N/C equation. We all must recognize that if we are to reach the limit of human life span, we must not overeat on high-calorie food. Eating empty-calorie food makes it impossible to achieve optimal health and maximize our genetic potential.
mone production, speeds up reproductive readiness and other indi cators of aging, and promotes the growth of certain tumors. In the wide field of longevity research there is only one finding
that has held up over the years: eating less prolongs life, as long as nutrient intake is adequate. All other longevity ideas are merely con jectural and unproven.28 Such theories include taking hormones such as estrogen, DHEA, growth hormones, and melatonin, as well as nutri tional supplements. So far, there is no solid evidence that supplying the body with any nutritional element over and above the level pres ent in adequate amounts in a nutrient-dense diet will prolong life. This is in contrast to the overwhelming evidence regarding protein and caloric restriction. This important and irrefutable finding is a crucial feature of the H = N/C equation. We all must recognize that if we are to reach the limit of human life span, we must not overeat on high-calorie food. Eating empty-calorie food makes it impossible to achieve optimal health and maximize our genetic potential.
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