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Obesity Discussion · 08-02-06, 02:03 PM

Fewer Calories May Mean Longer Life

June 21, 2006 3:41 PM

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(HealthDay News) -- A slight reduction in daily calorie intake may do more than just help control weight -- it may also slow aging, according to a new study with rats.

The scientists found that feeding rats 8 percent fewer calories a day and moderately increasing their activity levels extended the rodents' average lifespan and significantly reduced the negative effects of cellular aging on liver function and overall health.

An 8 percent reduction would amount to a few hundred calories in an average human diet, while moderate exercise would be equivalent to taking a short walk.

"This finding suggests that even slight moderation in intake of calories and a moderate exercise program is beneficial to a key organ such as the liver, which shows significant signs of dysfunction in the aging process," study senior author Christiaan Leeuwenburgh, an associate professor of aging and geriatric research at the University of Florida College of Medicine, said in a prepared statement.

The study appears in the current issue of Antioxidants and Redox Signaling.

Previous research found that a 20 percent to 40 percent reduction in calories slowed aging damage in animals and humans. This study suggests that even small cuts in calorie intake can have a major beneficial impact on health.

Article

08-02-06, 02:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Obesity Discussion Administrator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,851 Weight Statistics 8/1/2006 Start Date: 185 lb Start Weight: 152 lb Current Weight: 155 lb Goal Weight: -33 lb Weight Loss: 5/1/2007 Goal Date:	Fewer Calories May Mean Longer Life Fewer Calories May Mean Longer Life June 21, 2006 3:41 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (HealthDay News) -- A slight reduction in daily calorie intake may do more than just help control weight -- it may also slow aging, according to a new study with rats. The scientists found that feeding rats 8 percent fewer calories a day and moderately increasing their activity levels extended the rodents' average lifespan and significantly reduced the negative effects of cellular aging on liver function and overall health. An 8 percent reduction would amount to a few hundred calories in an average human diet, while moderate exercise would be equivalent to taking a short walk. "This finding suggests that even slight moderation in intake of calories and a moderate exercise program is beneficial to a key organ such as the liver, which shows significant signs of dysfunction in the aging process," study senior author Christiaan Leeuwenburgh, an associate professor of aging and geriatric research at the University of Florida College of Medicine, said in a prepared statement. The study appears in the current issue of Antioxidants and Redox Signaling. Previous research found that a 20 percent to 40 percent reduction in calories slowed aging damage in animals and humans. This study suggests that even small cuts in calorie intake can have a major beneficial impact on health. Article __________________