Calorie Restriction May Not Work Afterall
 

There has been quite a bit of hoopla, in the last few years, about the life-extending benefits of calorie restriction. Better data seems to show that it may be more likely to reduce lifespan than increase it.



http://www.longevityreporter.org/bl...rie-restriction

Let's see. Which experimental animal produces the results I should heed: mouse...monkey...microbe...me.

Hmmmm. Think I'll go with ME. In that case, calorie restriction sucks. (Scientific term for "not demonstrated to be effective or sustainable"). :lol:

My favorite hobby is reading "the latest research" (or more likely the reports on it from my favorite commentators) on weight management. However, I've simplified my life by not counting calories, and it seems to be going well. When I die (I'll try to let ya'll know) it won't be about CR.

Thanks for the link.

One of the most telling pieces of data that I've seen (can't remember where in order to cite it) is that for the elderly, being moderately overweight (BMI >25, but not much) leads to a greater chance at a longer life.

As my 69th birthday is rapidly approaching, I often wonder, "What is this 'elderly' and when does it start?" The other day, I passed up a Senior parking space because, well, that wouldn't be me, right? :lol:

Maybe the higher BMI has to do with lean mass? But fat mass can help to preserve lean mass, so there'd be that, as well.

I think this is key. But the monkeys will have been fed the same diet--one group the Western diet ad-lib, the other the same high-sugar diet, but restricted.

I wonder if the strains of mice that respond positively to calorie restriction aren't the ones most prone to develop elements of the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, etc.? Making calorie restriction effective if you had planned on eating a diabetes-inducing diet, and if you were prone to developing insulin resistance etc.

I'll be 69 in 5 weeks. I just got back from a 30+ mile bike ride with the temperature at 90.

I'll be 61 in 4 weeks and don't use senior parking, but do use 55+, 60+ senior discounts at a variety of stores - I feel I've earned them ;)

Teaser, thank you for taking a serious look at the original post. I'm being flip with a subject that is in fact receiving scientific scrutiny.

That is, is "calorie restriction" a strategy for longevity?

The pesky issues of what constitutes "restriction" and "what kind of calories?" always seem to get in the way of a clean experimental model.

Since I don't approach my dietary choices as a scientist, I'm always thinking, "How cranky do I want to be in my svelte old age??" Calorie shmalorie! And yes, Deirdra, I love a discount!

This wasn't where I read it, but here's an article from The Guardian about the study:

http://www.theguardian.com/society/...-mortality-risk

I'm on my way to that mystical "elderly" myself. I turn 65 in January, and the number of insurance companies who want me to join their "Medicare information talks" is astounding.

Since I'm perfectly capable of reading, both about Medicare, and about the offerings the insurance companies make for those on Medicare, I think I'll pass.

And if I really get confused (I worked in the life/health insurance field for 10 years), my son is a liaison at the Social Security Administration, and his job is to help confused people deal with their benefits.

I stumbled on this snippet of something I'd said to a friend on another private forum once, that this thread made me think of.



PJ

Great post PJ. I always wonder just how much longer are we supposed to live eating any which way we are told to eat for a longer life.

6 months?

I understand eating low carb for me because my body is metabolically challenged and diabetes can cause immediate problems, but what is a "longer life"?

Have to admit it is great to see so many familiar LC'ers still around :)

So it's been a long while, but after 10 years of fooling around, being diagnosed hypothyroid and not being able to stick to LC alone (my own fault), I have lost 80 pounds and am 10 pounds from goal b/c of a physician-monitored (blood work every 12 weeks) calorie restricted (850 - 1,200), low carb diet program.

I am not here to argue or hock anything - all I want to point out is that imvho, one-size-does-not-fit-all.

Am I going to remain successful? Have I damaged myself (metabolism, etc...)? Idk - only time will tell. I know my blood work says I am healthy & I have come away from the edge of Type 2 diabetes - and my body feels better than it has in years.

I am starting preparations for phasing off and know I cannot return to the eating habits that ballooned me to 234 pounds last January. I plan to remain LCHF (thus I am nosing around the forum again :) ) and find my sweet spot for maintenance

Hello, Beth, and welcome back. Sounds like you've made quite a few strides in the right direction since your last Journal post in 2013.
Totally agree with this, as most veterans at this site will. Finding the size that DOES fit is, well, a long journey. And there are always those meanderings off the road....sigh.

We're in the War Zone now, but as you can see, the topic has not produced much controversy. Just good conversation, which is one of the fun things about this forum. Stick around.

Best wishes.

I am so here for long term. My body worsk so well on VLC to zero and this forum has so much support and information.