Calorie restriction diets (CR) have been studied for over 70 years, but not until recently have they been making headlines and gaining international exposure for their positive effects on health and aging. For example:
Dieting Monkeys Offer Hope For Living Longer – New York Times
Cutting Calories Slightly Can Reduce Aging Damage – Medical news Today
Cutting Calories May Boost Aging Brains – U.S. News
So what exactly is CR?
A calorie restriction diet, also known as CRON (Calorie Restriction with Optimal Nutrition), reduces one’s caloric intake by 20-40% while still consuming all the necessary vitamins and nutrients one needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Animal studies conducted have shown up to a 40% increase in life span and significantly delays age-related problems such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and brain atrophy. While these benefits have been proven on animals, it is still under investigation as to whether humans will benefit the same.
If you will notice, this is very similar to a low-calorie diet. I typically suggest a little lower reduction in caloric intake for those looking to lose weight and improve health, roughly 10 – 20%. I have noticed that it’s a lot easier to stick to your diet when implementing small changes and it helps to reduce some of the risks associated with cutting calories like muscle loss.
Benefits For Humans
While research on humans has been limited, it suggests that following a calorie restricted diet for anti-aging can improve:
- Blood Pressure
- Blood Sugar
- Cholesterol Levels
- Weight
- Body fat percentage
- Memory For Older Adults
Risks For Humans
Of course, while following any diet, you have to be careful to follow it correctly and preferably under the supervision of your doctor. By lowering your caloric intake you run the risk of not consuming enough nutrients and vitamins. So, just like any diet, it’s important to eat a wide variety of healthy foods.
For those who are already lean or older, potential risks may include:
- Menstrual Irregularities
- Hormonal Changes
- Loss Of Muscle Mass
- Reduced Bone Density
Though keep in mind that you can offset the losses in muscle tissue and bone density by consuming enough calcium and vitamin D and exercising.
Is A CR Diet Right for Me?
Please consult your doctor before starting a calorie restrictive diet. There are several factors to look at as there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to this type of diet.
If you’re looking for a plan that lower’s calories and is less strenuous than your typical CR diet then check out the Simple, Proven Plan For Weight Loss And Control book and click around this site for easy ways to cut calories out of your diet.
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