subject: Here’s the Secret to a Longer Life [print this page] In the 1930s, a successful study was able to extend the life of a sample of rats by 33% through limiting the amount of calories they ate. In addition to living longer, the rats had a better quality of life until the end, showing less late-life diseases. They looked younger, and their bodies biological aging process slowed down. Since then, many other studies have confirmed these results in other creatures. The key here is to understand if the caloric restriction in itself is responsible for these benefits, or if something else happens when the ingestion of calories is reduced. In this sense, it has been proven that reducing fat, protein, or carbohydrate ingestion, without reducing calories, doesnt increase life span, that taking antioxidant and vitamin supplements doesnt either, and that varying the types of fats, carbohydrates and proteins eaten, is no good also. Only caloric restriction has shown positive results in slowing the aging process. Theres still no proof that it can work in humans, though. Our life span is longer than those of many other creatures. These studies can last a lifetime, and it is not easy to find volunteers willing to spend their whole life eating only what the study allows. However, several studies with primates have shown that caloric restriction indeed increases these creatures health and life span. Through aging biomarkers like insulin levels, glucose levels, and blood pressure, it was confirmed that the monkeys that ate less, aged less rapidly. In these studies, the calories were restricted by 30% to 50% of what the primates would normally eat, while ensuring that they ingested enough vitamins, minerals, protein, and fat for proper tissue functioning. The animals looked healthy and happy, and they surely looked forward to every meal. There are many theories that explain the power of calorie reduction when it comes to extending life, but the one with the most supporters states that the ingestion of fewer calories reduces the amount of free radical damage to cellular mitochondria. Although it may look like reducing calorie intake prolongs life, there are several hazards in this regime: - You should ensure you are getting the right amount of vitamins, minerals, protein, and other nutrients. - You will probably feel hungry all the time. - If the diet is very strict, your bodys ability to handle extreme situations, like cold climates or infections, could be negatively impacted. - Women may become less fertile and may stop ovulating, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and muscle mass loss. - It is prohibited for people under 20 years of age. As an alternative to calorie restriction, you should try the body cleanse option. When you cleanse your body from the extreme toxins that surround our environment, for example, pesticides, chemicals, smog, artificial ingredients, alcohol, and the many other non-natural substances that invade what we eat, drink or breathe, you are helping your organism work at its full capacity and you are eliminating what slows it down and will eventually allow sickness to come in. Once you cleanse your body you will immediately feel healthier, more energized, and younger. If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. Theyll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (dont forget to mention www.21daybodymakeover.com as the original source). George DeJohn is the author of 3 Minutes to a Strong Mind and a Fit Body and the creator of the 21-Day Full Body Cleanse system. George is the author of a very successful blog on healthy living, weight loss and stress elimination: http://www.21DayBodyMakeover.com/blog/
