When?

Let’s start at the beginning. January 1993 was a historic time for today’s adherents for calorie restriction. On this date, over a decade ago, Brian M. Delaney used the internet to promote discussions about “life extensions.” In Usenet, a discussion group was formed and the field of longevity and the human attempts to dabble in the fountain of youth formally began. The quest for a life that is not simply long, but also healthy and meaningful, began here. Following the successful internet initiative, Delaney found himself with a group of people willing to establish what is now the Calorie Restriction Society, in December 1944. One of the group’s first major endeavors was to create a list of Frequently Asked Questions in order to enlighten the wider public about the organization.

It also further maximized the internet by creating an online email group where the growing number of members can learn more about health and the ways of calorie restriction, through online interaction with long-time calorie restriction practitioners. Updates on the field of life extension and longevity are also posted in the web group. By 1997, the society was already beginning its own research into the effects on metabolism of reduced calorie diets, using the practicing members as the human volunteers. At last, in 2001, Las Vegas saw the First Scientific Calorie Restriction Conference. News made the rounds throughout various media outfits, and up to today, attention is beginning to build into the little known secrets to long life which the calorie restriction practices.

What?

Calorie Restriction is the fruit the labors of a group of researchers headed by Dr. McCay of Cornell University. Using mice, the group was able to experiment on the effects of calorie restriction and found that the life span of mice who were given calorie restriction diets early on had life spans increased by 30-60 percent, while those that were introduced into the diet later in life had life expectancies increased by 10-20 percent at least.

Diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and others related to nerve functions were also reduced in the mice. These diseases are shared in common with humans. Since the gaining momentum of the calorie restriction, much additional research has been developed to further test the calorie restriction effects on other animals. The results unanimously point to a single direction: longevity, as long as introduced properly and with the right know-how. In humans, calorie restriction is the only known dietary procedure that can produce longer and healthier life.

Who?

calorie restriction can be practiced by a wide variety of healthy adults above 21 years of age. There are many reasons why people enter the calorie restriction regime, some for health, others for longevity. Unlike other forms of diet, calorie restriction is open to individualization. There is no absolute diet plan which all practitioners must adhere to, so each can tailor the diet to suit his or her lifestyle. Some people choose to fast once every three or four days, and continue eating their regular diets, while others cut back on the number of meals per day, while others prefer to review their meals and cut back on high calorie ingredients and replace them with fruits and vegetables. Whatever path you choose, the only important thing to remember is to make sure that you cut back approximately a third of all the calories that you consume.

How?

Dr. McCay discovered early on that the mice that were subjected to calorie restriction diets without a period of phasing in were likely to have increase mortality. The same applies to humans. Ideally, the calorie restriction practitioner should have at least six months and up to two years to ease into a fully calorie restricted diet. Resources on how to begin, what to do and not to do, as well as sample meal plans are available from the Calorie Restriction Society which can be found on the web. As many practitioners can attest, the calorie restriction diet does not have to be difficult or overly taxing.

Cutting back on calories can be a matter of simply reducing the amount of fatty red meats with low-protein meats such as from fish and turkey, and adding vegetables to compensate for the removed items. Even issues such as hunger are easily addressed in calorie restriction: the practitioner can always opt to eat his fill with low calorie alternatives such as fresh fruits and grains. And as with other habits, hunger can be curved with enough time.

Why?

Practicing calorie restriction will eventually lead to certain lifestyle changes. Most activities involved with socializing are associated with food. For those involved in calorie restriction, going to the office party or dining with family may start being a wholly different experience. But, as many of the willing advisers in calorie restriction diet can advise, there are ways. From eating your calorie restriction diet before major food activities so you can contentedly mix and mingle with the people while chewing on just salad to compensating calorie-overdose in one family meal by reducing other meals, for calorie restriction practitioners the adage is indeed: where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Until today, there are no other studies which have matched the scientific evidence backing the claims of calorie restriction. While the mysteries of longer life and a more lasting youth may eventually be unmasked in other forms and procedures in the future, as of today, there is only calorie restriction diets. But while our options may seem limited, it is also one of the best. Using just dietary adjustments, you can be sipping from the fountain of youth along with your low-calorie diet. Just remember to always have your physician’s permission for all of your health-related endeavors.