Why does calorie restriction prolong life?
First of all, eating less food significantly lowers blood levels of insulin, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and other known vascular disease risk factors. By restricting food intake, one also reduces the amounts of mutagens that are so prevalent in the diet, thereby reducing their risk of cancer. Published studies consistently show that those who consume the greatest number of calories have higher cancer rates. What Life Extension has discovered through our pioneering research is that calorie restriction favorably alters the genes involved in cellular aging. This means that genes that program cells to enter senescence are deactivated, whereas genes that keep cells functioning in youthful, healthy metabolic states remain active or are turned back on. So calorie restriction accomplishes two objectives: it reduces the risk of contracting the most common killer diseases, and it programs genes to extend the maximum lifespan of the organism. 5. Other than major calorie restriction or p