Is calorie restriction related to longevity?
Animal studies have shown that animals live longer and have fewer chronic diseases when their diets are restricted in calories. Researchers believe that a calorie-restricted diet helps to prevent oxidative damage that may lead to chronic diseases. In humans, moderate calorie restriction is beneficial for weight loss, which is associated with favorable changes in body fat, blood pressure, blood lipids, and glucose tolerance. A recent study showed that almost all centenarians (those persons at least 100 years old) are lean. So a healthful diet may be the one of the best medicines for a longer and healthier life! This article originally appeared in Nutri-bytes (June 2008), a service of the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing and was adapted for use on NetWellness with permission.
