Balanced, low-calorie diet appears to prevent heart aging

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http://heart.healthcentersonline.com/newsstories/balancedlowcaloriedietappearsprevent.cfm

{Somehow this makes sense to me, since I believe the heart is the source of energy and it is said to age about 1% per year. If the heart can rest a fraction between beats due to less calorie load, even 0.05 sec, nutrients could conceivably flow better in/out the heart muscle.} Balanced, low-calorie diet appears to prevent heart aging Jan 18 (HealthCentersOnline) - A low-calorie diet may be an effective way to prevent the heart from aging. In Western countries, a significant number of deaths are attributable to a phenomenon known as secondary aging. This term is used to describe health problems resulting from conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and other preventable conditions that contribute to premature death.

But scientists are beginning to find effective ways to fight secondary aging.

A new study used ultrasound examinations to inspect the hearts of individuals on restricted calorie diets. The exams showed that the subjects' hearts appear to be more elastic, which allows the heart to relax between beats in a manner similar to younger individuals.

The study, conducted by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, looked at 25 individuals who had consumed a very low calorie diet (about 1,400 to 2,000 calories per day) for an average of six years. The hearts of these individuals were compared to the hearts of 25 individuals who had routinely eaten a typical Western diet (about 2,000 to 3,000 calories per day).

The participants ranged in age from 41 to 65. Previous research performed on animals suggests that calorie restriction can increase life spans by as much as 30 percent, as well as protect against atherosclerosis and cancer.

"It's very clear from these studies that caloric restriction has a powerful, protective effect against diseases associated with aging," explained one of the researchers of the study, O. Holloszy, M.D., in a recent press release. "We don't know how long each individual will end up living, but they certainly have a longer life expectancy than average because they're most likely not going to die from a heart attack, stroke or diabetes. And if, in fact, their hearts are aging more slowly, it's conceivable they'll live for a very long time."

The study was published in the January 17, 2006 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.