Cut Calories To Live Longer
Can cutting calories slow the aging process and actually help you to live longer?
That’s been a subject of intense debate lately. Now there may be some scientific evidence of how to do it and why it just may work.
First, some background on why scientists are so gung ho on studying this subject in humans. You see, they’ve already researched this with rats and mice.
In rodents, calorie restriction has been demonstrated to slow the aging process.
Why It May Be Successful…
One possible explanation is that fewer calories reduce triiodothyronine, a thyroid hormone known as T3. By decreasing T3, the metabolism slows and the rodents age more slowly. Or so goes the theory.
Now some researchers from Saint Louis University have studied a similar process in humans.
According to results published in the June 2008 issue of Rejuvenation Research, reducing your caloric intake by about 300 to 500 calories daily will produce the same metabolic effect in humans. And maybe, just maybe, it will make you age more slowly.
Here’s How The Study Worked…
The volunteers were post-menopausal women and sedentary, non-smoking men from 50 to 60 years old who were in relatively good health.
Each volunteer was placed in one of three groups: calorie restriction, exercise, or control. They were studied for one year.
The calorie restriction group reduced their weight by eating 300 to 500 fewer calories per day. The exercise group ate their normal diet and exercised regularly.
Who Had The Best Results…
Although the calorie restriction and exercise groups had the same types of body fat changes, only the calorie restriction volunteers reduced their levels of the T3 thyroid hormone.
Now a long-term study is needed to see if the T3 reduction slows the aging process in humans.
But the scientists warned that people who cut calories should be careful to maintain proper nutrition. And of course, no one should cut calories to the point of developing anorexia nervosa.
You should always see your doctor before you start a new diet or exercise program. They can best guide you on how to cut calories to live longer.
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