Weight Loss

In the quest for longevity or longer life, medical researchers have been exploring the potential of calorie restriction diet or CR. The connection between eating less and living longer has been first established in the 1930s by nutriton researchers at Cornell University. A new study, published in the April 27 2004 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences compared two groups, one following a calorie-restricted diet, the other on a "normal diet". The average blood pressure in the calorie-restriction group was 100/60, compared to 130/80 in the control group.

Body mass index (BMI), an indicator of body fat, was much lower in the calorie-restriction group. At 19.5 the calorie-restriction group had a normal BMI compared with a BMI of 26 in the normal diet group. A BMI of 25 and up is considered overweight. Total body fat was 7% in the calorie-restriction group -- considered on par with serious athletes -- compared with 22% for the normal diet group.

Cholesterol was also much better in the calorie-restriction group with total cholesterol of 158 vs. 205 in the normal diet group. Blood sugar and insulin levels were also improved in the calorie-restriction group.

Just how exactly does CR works, nobody has the the complete picture yet. Scientist knows for sure it goes beyond the mere health benefits of being thin. They compare it to hibernation; physical processes that cause wear and tear on the body are drastically slowed. Some suspect eating less slows the rate of cell division in tissues. Others theorize that hunger triggers a survival mode, activating genes that help resist stress and protect vital organs. Meanwhile, biogerontologists are racing to invent drugs that mimic the effects of calorie restriction without all the carrots and cottage cheese.

One leading theory says it works by curbing cellular pollution. When cellular ''factories'' convert food to energy, they release byproducts known as free radicals. These biochemical ruffians wreak havoc on cells, genes and tissues and have been blamed for age-related changes ranging from crow's-feet to increased cancer risk. When a body metabolizes fewer calories, it's like a car that uses less fuel — there's less free-radical pollution.

CR also may reduce levels of sugar in the blood, suppress hormones that promote cell growth and rouse genes that promote longevity. Any or all of these factors could play a part in slowing the aging process.

The Metabolic Diet, and for rapid weight loss the Radical Diet, provide a low-carbohydrate / reduced-calorie approach to managing your weight. They are both designed to optimize the body's hormone levels by regulating insulin, cortisol, IGF-1, growth hormone and testosterone. Unlike other diets, they help you preserve muscle mass while burning off body fat.

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