This lifestyle change is proven to reverse aging
March 12, 2009 by Yafa Sakkejha
Filed under Anti Aging Articles, Featured
We have heard from dietitians that severe methods of calorie restriction, such as skipping meals, can trigger our body’s ‘survival’ instincts, which are counterproductive to a healthy diet, causing unwanted fat storage.
While these undesirable effects are true, there is tremendous scientific evidence revealing that a reasonable level of calorie restriction is one of the surest ways to reverse the aging process.
- In a study dating back to the 1930s, Dr. McKay of Cornell University found that the life span of rats doubled when their calorie intake was cut in half. In addition to living longer, they were more healthy and youthful compared to control subjects. The rats who were allowed to eat to their heart’s delight were much weaker and led less vigorous lives.
- In the 1990s, Dr. Weindruch and Dr. Prolla at the University of Wisconsin measured gene expression in mice, rats, monkeys, and humans. It was found that caloric restriction positively altered gene expression by slowing the aging process.
- Dr Spindler at the University of California found that calorie restriction produces a genetic anti-aging profile, and resulted in a reversal of the majority of age related degenerative changes.
Quite simply, when our calories are restricted, our “youthful” genes are activated; alternately, an excess of calories causes our “aging” genes to be activated.
The good news is that it’s never too late to start. These studies went further to prove that anti-aging effects can be seen quickly even with the oldest test subjects.
A fantastic, living example of lighter diets providing a longer, higher quality of life can be seen in the tribes of the Vilcabamba region in Ecuador, the Hunza region in Pakistan, and the Abkhasians region in Georgia. These tribes have some of the highest longevity rates, with an incredibly high incidence of adults living to over 100 years old. Further, these tribes see a higher quality of life in their middle aged and elderly members. By eating just 50% to 60% of the calories that we eat in North America, they are able to live much more adept and healthy lives.
If you’d like to try it, start by reducing your daily intake by just 25 calories. The further you take it, the more results you’ll be able to see.
Source: There is a Cure for Diabetes by Dr Gabriel Cousens
Photo credit: Chris Kalani
sharon on Mon, 30th Mar 2009 2:54 pm
I think that there should be way more back up for this story than one study done dating back to 1930. This story would be just the thing to convince many vulnerable people to become anorexic, which, by the way has the highest mortality rate amongst mental illnesses as well as causing premature menopause, sterility and osteoporosis.
Yafa on Mon, 6th Apr 2009 9:48 am
thanks, Sharon!
jane on Thu, 25th Jun 2009 9:27 am
and isnt that the point? anorexia is a severe mental disorder. good life enriching nutrition is irrelevant, abusive food intake is a tool, anorexics are not interested in good health, their desire to be “thin” above anything else has nothing to do with a healthy regimen.
in many ways this applies to the overweight, food is a side issue and perhaps a weapon they use against themselves. a highly nutritious diet, and i mean primarily raw, is excellent material for mind/brain health and balance – when the mind is healing the body heals too. compared to all western diets, (and there have been other studies not just the cornell one) moderate calorie restriction has to be the better route.