We know from animal experiments that altering metabolism through restriction of
food slows aging in many animals. However, the role of chronic calorie restriction
on human longevity is not clear. Life extension was not found in experiments at the
National Institute of Aging when rhesus monkeys on calorie restricted diets were
compared to those on a healthy diet with calories restricted enough to avoid obesity.
In similar monkey experiments at the Wisconsin National Primate Research
Center, when a control group was allowed to eat a typical U.S. style high sugar
diet (sucrose was 28.5% of carbohydrates) without restriction, the calorie restricted
monkeys lived longer. These experiments suggest that the nature of the diet and
overfeeding were more important than severe calorie restriction.
It is not known how relevant these effects are for humans or their potential for extending human
life. The monkey experiments suggest that for age extension, eating a healthy diet
and avoiding overweight is as healthful as and certainly a lot more pleasant than
chronic severe calorie restriction.
This blog presents opinions and ideas and is intended to provide helpful general information. I am not engaged in rendering advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures and suggestions in that are presented are not in any way a substitute for the advice and care of the reader’s own physician or other medical professional based on the reader’s own individual conditions, symptoms or concerns. If the reader needs personal medical, health, dietary, exercise or other assistance or advice the reader should consult a physician and/or other qualified health professionals. The author specifically disclaims all responsibility for any injury, damage or loss that the reader may incur as a direct or indirect consequence of following any directions or suggestions given in this blog or participating in any programs described in this blog or in the book, The Building Blocks of Health––How to Optimize Your Health with a Lifestyle Checklist (available in print or downloaded at Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble and elsewhere). Copyright 2021 by J. Joseph Speidel
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