Want to live longer? Try starvation!

Is there a fountain of youth?

People have been seeking the fountain of youth since man started walking upright. So far it has remained an elusive myth or a topic for science fiction. Lately, however, we have discovered a way to slow the aging process down. It is called calorie restriction. You might call it starvation.

It might just be called caloric restriction

The best and most researched way to extend life spans is caloric restriction which means reducing calorie intake while maintaining good nutrition. It has been demonstrated through research on laboratory animals that caloric restriction can increase life spans by as much as 60%. Since these animals are relatively simple ones, it is not been proven that this technique extends the lifespan of humans, but preliminary evidence is promising including test on primates. Low calorie diets reduce insulin levels and lower body temperatures which are markers for longevity.

Caloric restriction affects gene expression

The latest theory about how calorie restriction works is a hypothesis by David Sinclair, PhD. who suggests that it is “an active, highly conserved stress response that evolved early in history to increase an organism’s chance of surviving adversity.” It seems that the restriction of calories causes reactions to certain genes which slow aging.

Find out more

While it may seem that calorie restriction would be impossible to adopt as a lifestyle, there are substances, like resveratrol, that mimic the gene expression of calorie restriction. Some people think that a limited amount of caloric restriction can still provide longevity benefits. Check out more details about caloric restriction. You may find some easy ways to introduce calorie restriction into your lifestyle and extend your life.