4 replies to this topic

[Matt]

Eat Less, Live Longer?



http://www.kqed.org/...vision/view/569
Have we found the fountain of youth? Scientists are discovering ways to make animals live dramatically longer through calorie restriction. While the technique has attracted a small, but devout following, skepticism abounds.



"WOW!!!" Go see the video for yourself, the difference in those two monkeys is amazing... CR looks like its working great.

[Liquidus]

I think as mentioned, Caloric restriction is the absolute most basic/fundamental anti-aging therapy, however, it still doesn't solve the issue of aging, but rather postpone it. I agree that it does go to show that even the simplest form of anti-aging therapies have positive result, which is encouraging for the future.

The reason people don't go crazy over Caloric restriction, is because caloric restriction will become obsolete as new/easier therapies are developed (probably in the next 5-10 years, we'll see more practical therapies that supersede Caloric Restriction). Caloric restriction for human beings is a drastic lifestyle change that most people aren't willing to under go. Fortunately for us, at least if technology keeps up at it's pace, we shouldn't even really need to rely on caloric restriction as a therapeutic measure for anti-aging, engineering therapies (gene therapy, biotech, nanotechnology for repair purposes) will be easier, faster, and more predictable.

Either way, any positivity is welcome positivity, I just don't really think CR is the pinnacle of this field, and with that being said, most people realize that it's the temporary solution until the newer solutions are presented.

[Matt]

I think people are generally optimistic that therapies to reverse aging will come in their life time, especially for the young ones. However the fact is that we could miss out on the therapies even by a year or less. If one is destined to get a cancer at a young age (it does happen) then CR could, or probably will delay its onset, maybe by years... buying you time for *new* cancer treatments.

I already know a few people from my own high school I went to who have now died because of cancer. It's only a small few, but it's something to think about.

Plus CR helps prevent a whole range of diseases that one wouldn't like to live with for decades while waiting for therapies to reverse aging.

The fact still remains that we have only educated guesses that therapies will arrive soon.

[lauritta]

I saw a special TV program on caloric restriction on monkeys with Dr Leonard Guarente and it was amazing. I do believe it could work.

I have been doing caloric restriction almost all my life, although not really on purpose; it is a family tradition eating just what you need, and the simpler and more natural you eat, the better - mostly European mediterranean style.

I have been eating just 1000 to 1200 calories per day most of my life. But that is normal for us. And believe me, it has not affected my health at all - on the contrary - not even a cold in 10 years. By the way, my grandma is almost 94 and she is a jet - unstoppable.

To me, "caloric restriction" (and I would say, for me it is not a restriction, I think most of the other people have just a hypercaloric diet) is not a temporary solution...it is a lifestyle. And I feel very comfortable with it.

Cheers! Saluti!

[knite]

lol, 1000 calories a day wouldnt get me out of bed!