Numerous studies have showed that by reducing the number of
calories you eat by 33 percent leads to living a longer life. These findings have been found in a vast number of species from primates, to rodents, and even insects. An increase in longevity of the organism was only found though if the calories were
reduced and it received sufficient amounts of Protein, vitamins, and minerals. The idea of reduced
Calorie diets increasing lifespan is not a novel one. In the 1960’s Dr. Roy Walford, a professor at UCLA, introduced the concept. He noted that by eating fewer calories, the metabolism,
heart rate, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar readings, cholesterol levels, and
inflammation are all reduced. High numbers of these readings are associated with shorter lifespan.In one of the very first studies on humans and reduced calorie diets conducted at Washington University School of Medicine, evidence suggested there was validity of the low calorie/longer life hypothesis. Subjects were categorized into three groups. The long term calorie restriction
group who 1,779 calories daily, runners who ate 2,811 calories per day, and the sedentary, high calorie group who consumed 2,433 calories per day. Subjects in the long-term calorie restriction group displayed lower thyroid hormone
levels and lower inflammation levels. These results were found in similar studies done with animals, in those animals in the long term calorie restricted category. So basically, studies show that reducing calories leads to a longer lifespan due to two things. It decreases metabolism by lowering the thyroid hormone, which also brings down pulse, blood pressure, heart rate, etc. Also, reducing calories reduces inflammation, which helps prevent blood vessel diseases that are associated with heart attack and stroke.
More reviews about the Do Low Calorie Diets Make you Live Longer?