What Are The Health Benefits Of A Calorie Restricted Diet?

Caloric restriction is an important aspect of weight loss and the maintenance of ideal weight, but research has revealed compelling health benefits to caloric restriction that go beyond the most obvious health benefits, such as decreased cholesterol and blood sugar levels. According to LongevityMeme.org, calorie restricted diets of 20 to 40 percent below normal can extend lifespan by up to 40 percent.

Muscle Tissue

Caloric restriction decreased the loss of muscle mass associated with aging -- a condition known as sarcopenia -- in a study published in the September 2010 "Experimental Gerontology." In the study, caloric restriction delayed the development of maximum muscle mass prior to aging but preserved muscle mass during early stages of sarcopenia. Analysis of the aged muscle tissue showed that certain muscle fiber types that tend to diminish in number and size were preserved.

Cancer

Caloric restriction promotes the repair of DNA and reduces oxidative damage to DNA. On another genetic level, caloric restriction has also been shown to reduce the expression of genes that code for cancer. Both of these effects translate to healthier cells and decreased risk of cancer, according to a study published in the February 2001 "Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology."

Brain Function

Caloric restriction speeds healing and reduces tissue damage following traumatic brain injury, according to a study published in the October 2010 "Journal of Neuroscience Research." In the study, calorie reduction for a period of four months prior to brain injury resulted in decreased area of damage to the brain and greater preservation of memory and problem-solving skills. Additionally, significant increases in factors that promote nerve growth and repair were noted around the injured brain areas.

Insulin and Triglycerides

A decrease of over 50 percent in insulin levels was observed in a study on caloric restriction published in the March 2008 "Experimental Gerontology." Another study found encouraging results in rats with metabolic syndrome -- a condition characterized by a combination of obesity, insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. The study, published in the November 2010 "Endocrinology" found that in a period of three months on a 30 percent calorie reduced diet, there was a reduction in insulin intolerance, as well as decreased triglyceride levels and lower levels of inflammation.

Other Methods

Drugs that provide the benefits of caloric restriction without having to undergo the rigors of calorie restricted diets are of interest, and one drug, Metformin, shows some promise, according to a study published in the November 2010 "Rejuvenation Research." Metformin, a diabetes drug that mimics caloric restriction, was found to enhance the ability of cells to divide into fully formed mature cells.