A 20-year study found that Rhesus monkeys fed a nutritious, low-calorie diet have fewer age-related diseases than counterparts on a normal diet, researchers report July 10 in Science. Also, MRIs reveal less shrinking with age in areas important for decision-making and controlling movement in the brains of calorie-restricted animals, report Ricki Colman and Richard Weindruch, both of the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and colleagues.These results show that calorie restriction helps preserve primates' bodies and brains, says Luigi Fontana, of Washington University in St. Louis and the Italian National Health Service in Rome. Calorie restriction has already been shown to extend the lifespan of mice and dogs, as well as yeast, fruit flies and worms.The findings may have ramifications for fighting aging and disease in humans, Fontana says. "I'm confident that everything that happens in [non-human] primates will happen in humans." Since both groups of monkeys are on a very healthy diet, people who go from a high-fat Western diet to a healthy, restricted diet may experience even greater health benefits than seen in this study.
A 20-year study found that Rhesus monkeys fed a nutritious, low-calorie diet have fewer age-related diseases than counterparts on a normal diet, researchers report July 10 in Science. Also, MRIs reveal less shrinking with age in areas important for decision-making and controlling movement in the brains of calorie-restricted animals, report Ricki Colman and Richard Weindruch, both of the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and colleagues.
These results show that calorie restriction helps preserve primates' bodies and brains, says Luigi Fontana, of Washington University in St. Louis and the Italian National Health Service in Rome. Calorie restriction has already been shown to extend the lifespan of mice and dogs, as well as yeast, fruit flies and worms.
The findings may have ramifications for fighting aging and disease in humans, Fontana says. "I'm confident that everything that happens in [non-human] primates will happen in humans." Since both groups of monkeys are on a very healthy diet, people who go from a high-fat Western diet to a healthy, restricted diet may experience even greater health benefits than seen in this study.
Chicago Tribune: 1 in 4 Illinois adults is obese -- a record
The CDC found that in 2008 Illinois was among 32 states where 25 percent or more of adults were, to put it bluntly, fat. Officially, obesity counts as having a body mass index - a ratio of weight to height - of 30 percent or higher. To put that in perspective, two decades ago no state counted more than 15 percent of adults as obese. That hurdle was passed in 1991 by four states, including Michigan. In 1996, three states, including Indiana and Kentucky, passed the 20 percent mark. In 2001, Mississippi became the first state where at least 25 percent of adults were excessively heavy. Four years later, three states - Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia - topped 30 percent. Illinois has never been the fattest state, but residents have been gaining girth along with the rest of the country. In 1985, as far back as the current CDC report goes, fewer than 10 percent of Illinoisans were obese. Two years later, the figure jumped to 10 to 14 percent. In 1994, it rose again to the 15 to 19 percent range. Five years later, obesity rates in Illinois soared to 20 percent or more. Then, last year, rates climbed again, to the 25 to 29 percent range.
To put that in perspective, two decades ago no state counted more than 15 percent of adults as obese. That hurdle was passed in 1991 by four states, including Michigan.
In 1996, three states, including Indiana and Kentucky, passed the 20 percent mark. In 2001, Mississippi became the first state where at least 25 percent of adults were excessively heavy. Four years later, three states - Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia - topped 30 percent.
Illinois has never been the fattest state, but residents have been gaining girth along with the rest of the country.
In 1985, as far back as the current CDC report goes, fewer than 10 percent of Illinoisans were obese. Two years later, the figure jumped to 10 to 14 percent. In 1994, it rose again to the 15 to 19 percent range. Five years later, obesity rates in Illinois soared to 20 percent or more. Then, last year, rates climbed again, to the 25 to 29 percent range.
Frankly I'm surprised it isn't higher. "Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
In other words, the food industry can no longer hide behind "we just feed people what they ask for"... A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds; a man of deeds and not of words is like a garden full of turds — Anonymous
This is, after all, the country in which the morbidly obese can sue airlines for charging them extra because they require two seats. And win. Conservatives want live babies so they can raise them to be dead soldiers. - George Carlin
(Note: Yes, I know for some people being fat is not a choice. I submit, however, that they are an incredibly small minority.) Conservatives want live babies so they can raise them to be dead soldiers. - George Carlin
Tobacco is addictive and so is food and some people have metabolic issues, too...
Unlike with tobacco, there isn't a "passive eater"... A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds; a man of deeds and not of words is like a garden full of turds — Anonymous
Unlike with tobacco, there isn't a "passive eater"...
I wouldn't base an opinion on those reports, and much of it probably depends on how much they nickel and dime each group, but I think, on balance, the evidence suggests that there's not an enormous difference in cost to society. If anything, smokers and the obese may be a little cheaper.
The rest I agree with you on, although, really, I can't personally claim to be innocent in the "consume lots" department. I'm sure I consume more than I should. Conservatives want live babies so they can raise them to be dead soldiers. - George Carlin
wtf? "Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
And I think there have even been studies on humans too, here just an example.
Low-Calorie Diet May Lead to Longer Life - New York Times
A low-calorie diet, even in people who are not obese, can lead to changes in metabolism and body chemistry that have been linked to better health and longer life, researchers are reporting. The findings lend support to the theory that eating less, long known to prolong life in rats and mice, may do the same for people, by preventing heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other diseases, and by slowing aging. The notion that going hungry could be the fountain of youth has captivated scientists and the public. Calorie restriction, the scientific name for a regimen high in nutrients but low in calories, is the subject of intense research, and some people have already begun trying it on their own. There is a Calorie Restriction Society with members all over the world, and its president, Brian M. Delaney, estimates that the people experimenting on themselves number in the thousands.
A low-calorie diet, even in people who are not obese, can lead to changes in metabolism and body chemistry that have been linked to better health and longer life, researchers are reporting.
The findings lend support to the theory that eating less, long known to prolong life in rats and mice, may do the same for people, by preventing heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other diseases, and by slowing aging.
The notion that going hungry could be the fountain of youth has captivated scientists and the public. Calorie restriction, the scientific name for a regimen high in nutrients but low in calories, is the subject of intense research, and some people have already begun trying it on their own.
There is a Calorie Restriction Society with members all over the world, and its president, Brian M. Delaney, estimates that the people experimenting on themselves number in the thousands.
i got curious about the hunzas, and learned they would happily walk every morning 5 miles to their fields and work there all day.
tough people, serious survivors. ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
the reasons it's so un-PC to criticise fatties is that they just eat more if you do.
besides, the problems people carry around that you can't see are much worse than the ones you can.
a government that cared about its people would ban junk food, for its effects on future generations, and the gene pool in general, as well as the horrendous environmental degradation it causes. ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
Now, let us please return to our sanity. Thanks. "Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
what is amazing is how many people didn't starve to death, considering the conditions. the ability of the human body to stay alive notwithstanding the cruelty, with no reserves, negligable nutrition, and bitter cold beggars belief.
the fact that they had less tooth decay is relatively trivial, yet curious just the same... ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
