Calorie Restricted Diet May Lead to Longevity, Better Quality of Life

By Rachel Stockton

The results of a study involving Rhesus monkeys seems to give credence to the theory that people who are on a calorie restrictive diet are less likely to acquire age related diseases, in addition to living longer, healthier lives.  

The study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, emphasizes not only longevity, but improved quality of life. 75 adult, Rhesus monkeys from the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center were the focus of the experiment. Beginning in 1989, the primates were divided into two groups; the monkeys in the first set were given a calorically restrictive diet, while the second group made no dietary concessions. At the end of the study, 14 primates from the control group had perished from age related disease, while only 5 of the restricted monkeys succumbed to such illnesses.

Additionally, the control group had cardiovascular issues and precancerous cells at twice the rate of the restricted group. Diabetes was another hurdle the restricted monkeys avoided; no diabetes was detected among them, while the primates on a “normal” diet had 11 pre-diabetic conditions within their community. 5 monkeys had full blown diabetes when all was said and done.

Dr. Luigi Fontana, who has studied calorie restricted volunteers for 6.5 years at Washington University in St. Louis was not surprised by the results. "Mild caloric restriction is beneficial to everybody," maintains Dr. Fontana (Los Angeles Times). In his own experience, he has found that those who follow a calorie restricted diet had the heart function of adults 16 years younger.  

There are several theories as to why this happens. An obvious one is that if people eat less, their bodies don’t have to work as hard to digest food.  

Another similar theory is that when calories are restricted, the body goes into “maintenance mode,” shutting down various bodily functions that promote inflammation, a trigger for many age related illnesses.  

Those who follow a restricted diet are typically enthusiastic about the benefits therein. In an interview with the BBC in 2007, Bob Cavanaugh, the founding director of the non-profit Calorie Restriction Society shared that he has been on a restricted diet for six years. On the organization’s website, he states the following: “My motivation for doing calorie restriction was two-fold. One was to reduce my risk of age-related diseases, such as heart disease. . .” 

He further adds, “And the prospect of extending your lifespan is very appealing – although I guess you have to be somewhat narcissistic to think you are worth living a lot longer than anyone else.”