Eat Less, Live Longer?

Seems logical right: Eat less, don't get fat, don't develop diabetes, don't increase of heart disease, stroke and all the nasty affects of eating poorly. Recent research is suggesting that not only is eating less healthier, but you may actually slow down that ol' biological clock that seems to pick up speed as we age.

Caloric restriction as a research discipline has actually been around for ages. The first demonstration of extending lifespan and improving health in rats by cutting calories was back in 1934, and since then the finding has been repeated in numerous species up to and including non-human primates. Animals subjected to caloric restriction while maintaining adequate vitamin, mineral, and protein intakes not only live longer, healthier lives, they also maintain vitality to an older age and have fewer visible signs of aging – such as white fur – compared to better-fed siblings.

The key here everyone: maintaining the appropriate intake of vitamins, minerals and proteins which are the building blocks of our human body. The concept is interesting and would love to see some human research. In fact, the idea reminds me of Ori Hofmekler's Warrior Diet, which employs regimented bouts of fasting and one period of over eating daily as a means to maximizing fat loss and energy levels. Interesting stuff....