Calorie control isn't about just losing weight anymore. A relatively new trend Known as calorie restriction is in the news more frequently. It is a regimen that involves reducing the amount of food you eat to reduce the number of calories you take in over a period of time.
It is a long term regimen involving scaling back on the amount you eat by up to 25 percent fewer calories than your body needs to stay at its normal weight. And this is done in an effort to slow the aging process and lead a longer, healthier life
The notion that limiting the amount of calories you took in will increase your lifespan started back in 1989 when some researchers were working with monkeys. Half of the monkeys were allowed to eat whatever they wanted and the other half were given a nutrient-rich diet but 30 percent fewer calories.
After 20 years, 80 percent of the calorie-restricted monkeys had survived compared to only 50 percent of the monkeys in the control group. They also reported that the monkeys who ate less were also three times less likely to die from age-related diseases including cancer and heart disease.
The premise was that if calorie restriction worked on monkeys it would probably also work on people. Most of the studies were done with mice and rats although there were two small studies in 2006 that were carried out on people.
The finding was that those on calorie-restricted diets had better heart function and lower levels of inflammation than those who followed a standard American diet.
Today the advice is mixed. Nutritionists are concerned that restricting the calories won't be handled correctly and people aren't going to get the vitamins and minerals they need. Advice then would be to work with a dietician if you have any thoughts about restricting your diet. Actually, talk to your physician first and find out if calorie restriction is okay for you to consider living that as your next lifestyle.
Do you think this kind of lifestyle would be good for you? Will you be trying this diet in the near future?
To your success at a well balanced life.
Ruthan
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