LOOK YOUNGER WITH ANTI AGING DIET
Anti-ageing diet
An anti-ageing diet is one that restricts calories by 30-50% of normal or recommended intake with the aim of increasing the lifespan by at least 30%. Such a diet may lead to improved overall health, provided that there is adequate consumption of vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. So, basic idea lies in following a calorie-restrictive diet for significantly increasing the lifespan. Researchers suggest people gradually transition to a reduced calorie diet over one or two years since a sudden calorie reduction can be unhealthy and even shorten the lifespan.
History
The origin of this diet dates back to 1935 when food researchers of Cornell University- McCay and Leonard Maynard conducted experiments on laboratory rats- feeding the control group with normal diet needed to maintain growth and normal activities. While the other group was fed a diet containing one-third less calories than the normal diet. Astonishingly, the study revealed an increase in lifespan of calorie-restricted diet fed rats by 30-40%. Since then, thousands of studies have been done on animals to deduce the relationship between calorie restriction and increased longevity.
Mechanism
There is no clear answer as to why severely reducing calorie intake results in a longer and healthier life. There a various theories proposed to suggest the effectiveness of a calorie-restriction.
Calorie restriction protect DNA from damage and increases enzyme repair of damaged DNA
Calorie restriction delays the age-related decline of immune system
Calorie restriction reduces the production of free radicals
Benefits
Improved health
Adds years to lifespan, also increases youthful years
Prevention or delaying diseases such as cancer, stroke, diabetes, alzheimer’s and parkinson’s
Associated risks & disadvantages
Hunger, food cravings and food obsession increases
Loss of stamina and strength
Decline in muscle mass
Rapid weight loss
Slower wound healing
Reduced bone mass
Menstrual irregularities
Change in appearance drastically because of shedding off of both muscle and fat
“Myth” or “ fact”
Although this theory has been justified for animals but very few human trials have been undertaken. Various studies have confirmed the positive implications of this diet on slowing heart ageing and reversing early stages of parkinson’s disease. But further research is necessary to prove any level of effectiveness in humans.
The final word
Calorie restriction is a lifelong approach to eating by significantly lowering daily calorie intake while still getting all the body’s required nutrients. But such a diet is not recommended for people under 21 years of age since it may lead to impairment of physical growth.
