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Low Calorie Diets & Aging

Mar 28, 2011 | By Alicia Richardson
Low Calorie Diets & Aging
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Low calorie diets are eating plans that contain 800 to 1,500 calories a day. Aging is a process characterized by reductions in strength, endurance, agility, metabolism and hearing acuity. Animal studies indicate low calorie diets prolong life. In humans, calorie restriction with adequate nutrition protects against obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease, all leading causes of illness, disability, aging and death.

Less Inflammation

Many age-related disorders such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease are initiated by chronic inflammation -- an evolutionary survival adaptation that protects you from infectious diseases. When the body is invaded by pathogens, it responds by recruiting macrophages -- killer cells that produce oxidants that destroy harmful microorganisms through a process called an oxidative burst. Unfortunately, oxidative burst can also upset the body's oxidant-antioxidant balance, which may lead to persistent low-grade inflammation.

In lean persons, small fat cells promote metabolic equilibrium. In overweight and obese individuals, enlarged fat cells recruit macrophages that induce inflammation and cause the release of other inflammatory agents. Sustained inflammation predisposes vulnerable persons to insulin resistance, heart disease and other ailments.

Low calorie diets retard aging and disease by prompting weight loss, which in turn brings about favorable effects: Lower blood pressure, normalization of insulin levels, improvement in blood fat or lipid profile and down-regulation of the body's inflammatory response.

Lower Body Temperature

A.J. Salerian and N.G. Saleri, in a report in "Medical Hypothesis," claim that calorie restriction reduces core body temperature, which in turn delays aging and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. The scientists purport that higher temperatures may accelerate aging by increasing oxidative stress, oxygen demand overload and inflammation, causing cellular damage.

Digested food yields calories or energy. High calorie diets demand more oxygen for metabolism, a process that produces more oxidants and higher core body temperatures. By comparison, low calorie diets require less oxygen and promote cooler body temperatures, which may be more beneficial to health.

Lower Insulin Levels

A report in "Free Radical Biology and Medicine" by Facchini and colleagues suggests that hyperinsulinemia induces oxidative stress and aging. High insulin levels also inhibit proteosome activity, while stimulating the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Proteosomes are large proteins that degrade unneeded or damaged proteins. High levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids can be harmful because they are susceptible to oxidation, and oxidized fats cause cancer and may accelerate aging. Low calorie diets normalize insulin levels, thereby delaying morbidity and mortality.

Tips and Precautions

Some low calorie diets may cause malnutrition if they are deficient in a nutrient or nutrients. If you are planning to follow a low calorie diet, consult your doctor or a registered dietitian for a personalized meal plan.

Tell your doctor or dietitian if you experience an adverse reaction such as hypoglycemia. Incorporate modest-intensity daily physical activity in your regimen to facilitate and maintain weight loss.

Very young children, acutely ill individuals, persons with wasting disease and frail people should avoid low calorie diets. If you are unsure whether calorie restriction is safe for you, speak to your doctor.

References

Article reviewed by GlennK Last updated on: Mar 28, 2011

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