What distinguishes CR from a weight loss diet?
Weight loss diets are aimed at shedding excess pounds, either for aesthetic reasons, or to avoid the toxic health impacts of obesity. These diets only make sense for people who are overweight. By contrast, the goal of CR is slower aging and extended lifespan. Weight loss is a side effect. In fact, CR’s anti-aging effects manifest themselves even in organisms with a ‘healthy’ weight. Weight change is, nevertheless, an easy and convenient way of gauging one’s overall Calorie intake. But, while it is worth monitoring one’s weight, it is important to remember that weight is just a proxy for Calorie intake. Please note: Increasing exercise, losing weight, and keeping Calories unchanged is not what CR is about. An exercise regimen that keeps you slim and leaves Calorie intake unchanged is not CR, but simply a health program for weight control to slim down.
