Antioxidants - Low Calorie Diets - Do They Make You Live Longer?

Do you want to live longer? Cut down on the number of calories you eat by 33 percent. Studies on a wide variety of species, including primates, rats, mice and spiders, showed that caloric restriction increased lifespan, provided they consumed enough vitamins, minerals and protein. This idea was first popularized in the 1960's by UCLA professor Dr. Roy Walford.

Low-caloric consumption reduces metabolic rate, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, cholesterol and inflammation, which are linked to early death. Undereating is clearly not an American fad, but is interesting to scientists. Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis compared people on long- term calorie restriction (1,779 calories per day; subjects belonged to the Caloric Restriction Society), with runners (2,811 calories per day) and sedentary people (2,433 calories per day).The caloric-restriction group showed lower levels of thyroid hormone and inflammation similar to long-living animals on calorically restricted diets. Low thyroid levels decrease metabolic rate, while inflammation prevents blood vessel disease linked to heart attack and premature death. This was one of the first studies in humans showing that caloric restriction cause showing changes in the body that may increase longevity.

Caloric restriction won't necessarily make you live longer, but it might seem longer.