Re: Eat less, live longer?

May 14, 2007

This has been known for years. In fact, Dr. Roy Walford (UCLA) began conducting

an experiment on himself (undernutrition without malnutrition), but ended up

dying of ALS at age 79.

There are several theories as to why it works. One is simply that it reduces

free-radical damage. Another is that is slows down cellular aging so that the

Hayflick limit takes much longer to reach.

Ed White

Sandwich, MA USA

====================

" W.G. 'Bill' " wrote:

From the A4M BioTech E-Newsletter [05/10/2007] - Scientists Unlock Key

to Longer Life

The day when humans could enjoy at least a partial " elixir of life " , a

pill extending lifespan by up to 40 per cent, moves closer today with

the discovery of a " longevity gene " .

Scientists found a gene in a worm that links eating less with longer life

Researchers in America studying worms believe they have provided a key

insight into the only proven way to live longer.

Scientists have discovered from 70 years studying creatures such as

dogs, mice, yeast, fruit flies and nematode worms, that a reduction in

calorie intake by 60 per cent of normal, while maintaining a healthy

diet of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, consistently prolongs

life by up to 40 per cent.

That regime also reduces the risk of cancer, diabetes, and

cardiovascular disease, while staving off age-related degeneration of

the brain and nervous system.

Although some people are already imposing this strict diet on

themselves, and primate experiments appear to back this longevity

effect, it is still too early tell whether calorie restriction will

have the same effect in humans.

Many scientists also joke that the reduction in calories is so drastic

that it only feels like you are living longer.

But now researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La

Jolla, California, have identified a critical gene in nematode worms

that specifically links eating fewer calories to living longer.

They think it provides a crucial clue as to why persistent hunger

promotes long life.

Identifying this " longevity pathway " opens the door to the development

of drugs that mimic the effects of calorie restriction and might allow

people to reap health benefits without adhering to an austere regime

that only the toughest ascetics can endure.

In a paper published today in Nature, Prof Dillin and

colleagues show that pha-4, a gene that plays an essential part in

embryonic development of the worm, has a newly discovered function in

adults - increased activity of the gene is associated with longevity

in the " sweet spot " of food consumption between the extremes of harm

caused by starvation and overeating.

" After 72 years of not knowing how calorie restriction works, we

finally have genetic evidence to unravel the underlying molecular

program required for increased longevity in response to calorie

restriction, " said Prof Dillin.

" This is the first gene that is absolutely essential and specific for

the increased longevity response to dietary restriction. "

Initially, researchers thought that the effect of calorie restriction

on ageing was to do with signalling pathways related to the hormone

insulin but experiments by graduate student Siler Panowski in Prof

Dillin's lab suggested reality was more complex and another gene

called SMK-1 was more involved in the effects of starvation, to their

surprise.

The work suggests that insulin signalling and calorie restriction are

independent pathways, but SMK-1 plays a role in both, said Panowski.

The team studied 15 genes that could be involved with SMK-1 and found

that the loss of only one, a gene called pha-4, negated the

lifespan-enhancing effect of calorie-restriction in the worms.

Dramatically, when researchers undertook the opposite experiment—

making more pha-4 in worms — longevity was enhanced, suggesting that

this could offer a target for life extension drugs.

Detailed work showed that the gene can boost levels of proteins called

SODs (superoxide dismutase) which mop up free radicals, harmful

chemicals linked with ageing.

The researchers think that this may be a defence mechanism that helps

the creatures tolerate starvation. The pha-4 gene is similar to those

in people called Foxa transcription factors, which also have important

roles during development and act later in life to regulate glucagons -

hormones made by the pancreas to burn fat - and glucose levels,

particularly in response to fasting.

Humans possess three genes that are " highly similar " to the worm

pha-4, all belonging to the Foxa family.

All three play an important role in development and then later on in

the regulation of glucagon, a hormone made by the pancreas that unlike

insulin increases the concentration of blood sugar and maintains the

body's energy balance, especially during fasting.

When food is in short supply, these genes may alter glucagon levels or

cause other changes in hormones that are ultimately able to regulate

the ageing process.

The team is now going to study these human genes to see if they react

the same way as those in nematodes do when the worms are denied their

favourite treat, bacteria.

Prof Dillin said that they would also test a range of drugs to see if

they can find some that boost the activity of the human equivalent of

the worm gene and, in theory, could boost longevity.

So far, only one other gene, called sir-2, has been implicated in the

life- and health-prolonging response of the boy to calorie

restriction. Increased use of the gene extends longevity of yeast,

worms, and flies.

However, the link is not so clean cut because the loss of sir-2

disrupts the calorie restriction response only in some strains of

yeast and has no effect on other organisms, such as worms.>>>

May 15, 2007

A 60% reduction in calories? I take it you can't be a performance person or

have a very normal life. I think the comment that it just feels like you

live longer is appropriate. That off course comming from a heavy weight

weightlifter :-)

Nick Tatalias

Johannesburg

South Africa

>

> This has been known for years. In fact, Dr. Roy Walford (UCLA) began

> conducting an experiment on himself (undernutrition without malnutrition),

> but ended up dying of ALS at age 79.

>

> There are several theories as to why it works. One is simply that it

> reduces free-radical damage. Another is that is slows down cellular aging so

> that the Hayflick limit takes much longer to reach.

>

> Ed White

> Sandwich, MA USA

>

> ====================

> " W.G. 'Bill' "

<ubermenschsports@...<ubermenschsports%40yahoo.com>>

> wrote:

> From the A4M BioTech E-Newsletter [05/10/2007] - Scientists Unlock Key

> to Longer Life

>

> The day when humans could enjoy at least a partial " elixir of life " , a

> pill extending lifespan by up to 40 per cent, moves closer today with

> the discovery of a " longevity gene " .

>

> Scientists found a gene in a worm that links eating less with longer life

> Researchers in America studying worms believe they have provided a key

> insight into the only proven way to live longer.

>

> Scientists have discovered from 70 years studying creatures such as

> dogs, mice, yeast, fruit flies and nematode worms, that a reduction in

> calorie intake by 60 per cent of normal, while maintaining a healthy

> diet of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, consistently prolongs

> life by up to 40 per cent.

>

> That regime also reduces the risk of cancer, diabetes, and

> cardiovascular disease, while staving off age-related degeneration of

> the brain and nervous system.

>

> Although some people are already imposing this strict diet on

> themselves, and primate experiments appear to back this longevity

> effect, it is still too early tell whether calorie restriction will

> have the same effect in humans.

>

> Many scientists also joke that the reduction in calories is so drastic

> that it only feels like you are living longer.

>

> But now researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La

> Jolla, California, have identified a critical gene in nematode worms

> that specifically links eating fewer calories to living longer.

>

> They think it provides a crucial clue as to why persistent hunger

> promotes long life.

>

> Identifying this " longevity pathway " opens the door to the development

> of drugs that mimic the effects of calorie restriction and might allow

> people to reap health benefits without adhering to an austere regime

> that only the toughest ascetics can endure.

>

> In a paper published today in Nature, Prof Dillin and

> colleagues show that pha-4, a gene that plays an essential part in

> embryonic development of the worm, has a newly discovered function in

> adults - increased activity of the gene is associated with longevity

> in the " sweet spot " of food consumption between the extremes of harm

> caused by starvation and overeating.

>

> " After 72 years of not knowing how calorie restriction works, we

> finally have genetic evidence to unravel the underlying molecular

> program required for increased longevity in response to calorie

> restriction, " said Prof Dillin.

>

> " This is the first gene that is absolutely essential and specific for

> the increased longevity response to dietary restriction. "

>

> Initially, researchers thought that the effect of calorie restriction

> on ageing was to do with signalling pathways related to the hormone

> insulin but experiments by graduate student Siler Panowski in Prof

> Dillin's lab suggested reality was more complex and another gene

> called SMK-1 was more involved in the effects of starvation, to their

> surprise.

>

> The work suggests that insulin signalling and calorie restriction are

> independent pathways, but SMK-1 plays a role in both, said Panowski.

> The team studied 15 genes that could be involved with SMK-1 and found

> that the loss of only one, a gene called pha-4, negated the

> lifespan-enhancing effect of calorie-restriction in the worms.

>

> Dramatically, when researchers undertook the opposite experiment—

> making more pha-4 in worms — longevity was enhanced, suggesting that

> this could offer a target for life extension drugs.

>

> Detailed work showed that the gene can boost levels of proteins called

> SODs (superoxide dismutase) which mop up free radicals, harmful

> chemicals linked with ageing.

>

> The researchers think that this may be a defence mechanism that helps

> the creatures tolerate starvation. The pha-4 gene is similar to those

> in people called Foxa transcription factors, which also have important

> roles during development and act later in life to regulate glucagons -

> hormones made by the pancreas to burn fat - and glucose levels,

> particularly in response to fasting.

>

> Humans possess three genes that are " highly similar " to the worm

> pha-4, all belonging to the Foxa family.

>

> All three play an important role in development and then later on in

> the regulation of glucagon, a hormone made by the pancreas that unlike

> insulin increases the concentration of blood sugar and maintains the

> body's energy balance, especially during fasting.

>

> When food is in short supply, these genes may alter glucagon levels or

> cause other changes in hormones that are ultimately able to regulate

> the ageing process.

>

> The team is now going to study these human genes to see if they react

> the same way as those in nematodes do when the worms are denied their

> favourite treat, bacteria.

>

> Prof Dillin said that they would also test a range of drugs to see if

> they can find some that boost the activity of the human equivalent of

> the worm gene and, in theory, could boost longevity.

>

> So far, only one other gene, called sir-2, has been implicated in the

> life- and health-prolonging response of the boy to calorie

> restriction. Increased use of the gene extends longevity of yeast,

> worms, and flies.

>

> However, the link is not so clean cut because the loss of sir-2

> disrupts the calorie restriction response only in some strains of

> yeast and has no effect on other organisms, such as worms.>>>

>

May 15, 2007

Hi Nick,

I did not say that I follow Roy Walford's plan, I just know about it.

The important point here is that scientists are working on a supplement or

drug that would mimic the results of signifcant calorie restriction - without

having to live on a near-starvation diet.

Ed White

Sandwich, MA USA

========================

Nick Tatalias wrote:

A 60% reduction in calories? I take it you can't be a performance person or

have a very normal life. I think the comment that it just feels like you

live longer is appropriate. That off course comming from a heavy weight

weightlifter :-)

Nick Tatalias

Johannesburg

South Africa

>

> This has been known for years. In fact, Dr. Roy Walford (UCLA) began

> conducting an experiment on himself (undernutrition without malnutrition),

> but ended up dying of ALS at age 79.

>

> There are several theories as to why it works. One is simply that it

> reduces free-radical damage. Another is that is slows down cellular aging so

> that the Hayflick limit takes much longer to reach.

>

> Ed White

> Sandwich, MA USA

>

> ====================

> " W.G. 'Bill' " >

> wrote:

> From the A4M BioTech E-Newsletter [05/10/2007] - Scientists Unlock Key

> to Longer Life

>

> The day when humans could enjoy at least a partial " elixir of life " , a

> pill extending lifespan by up to 40 per cent, moves closer today with

> the discovery of a " longevity gene " .

>

> Scientists found a gene in a worm that links eating less with longer life

> Researchers in America studying worms believe they have provided a key

> insight into the only proven way to live longer.

>

> Scientists have discovered from 70 years studying creatures such as

> dogs, mice, yeast, fruit flies and nematode worms, that a reduction in

> calorie intake by 60 per cent of normal, while maintaining a healthy

> diet of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, consistently prolongs

> life by up to 40 per cent.

>

> That regime also reduces the risk of cancer, diabetes, and

> cardiovascular disease, while staving off age-related degeneration of

> the brain and nervous system.

>

> Although some people are already imposing this strict diet on

> themselves, and primate experiments appear to back this longevity

> effect, it is still too early tell whether calorie restriction will

> have the same effect in humans.

>

> Many scientists also joke that the reduction in calories is so drastic

> that it only feels like you are living longer.

>

> But now researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La

> Jolla, California, have identified a critical gene in nematode worms

> that specifically links eating fewer calories to living longer.

>

> They think it provides a crucial clue as to why persistent hunger

> promotes long life.

>

> Identifying this " longevity pathway " opens the door to the development

> of drugs that mimic the effects of calorie restriction and might allow

> people to reap health benefits without adhering to an austere regime

> that only the toughest ascetics can endure.

>

> In a paper published today in Nature, Prof Dillin and

> colleagues show that pha-4, a gene that plays an essential part in

> embryonic development of the worm, has a newly discovered function in

> adults - increased activity of the gene is associated with longevity

> in the " sweet spot " of food consumption between the extremes of harm

> caused by starvation and overeating.

>

> " After 72 years of not knowing how calorie restriction works, we

> finally have genetic evidence to unravel the underlying molecular

> program required for increased longevity in response to calorie

> restriction, " said Prof Dillin.

>

> " This is the first gene that is absolutely essential and specific for

> the increased longevity response to dietary restriction. "

>

> Initially, researchers thought that the effect of calorie restriction

> on ageing was to do with signalling pathways related to the hormone

> insulin but experiments by graduate student Siler Panowski in Prof

> Dillin's lab suggested reality was more complex and another gene

> called SMK-1 was more involved in the effects of starvation, to their

> surprise.

>

> The work suggests that insulin signalling and calorie restriction are

> independent pathways, but SMK-1 plays a role in both, said Panowski.

> The team studied 15 genes that could be involved with SMK-1 and found

> that the loss of only one, a gene called pha-4, negated the

> lifespan-enhancing effect of calorie-restriction in the worms.

>

> Dramatically, when researchers undertook the opposite experiment—

> making more pha-4 in worms — longevity was enhanced, suggesting that

> this could offer a target for life extension drugs.

>

> Detailed work showed that the gene can boost levels of proteins called

> SODs (superoxide dismutase) which mop up free radicals, harmful

> chemicals linked with ageing.

>

> The researchers think that this may be a defence mechanism that helps

> the creatures tolerate starvation. The pha-4 gene is similar to those

> in people called Foxa transcription factors, which also have important

> roles during development and act later in life to regulate glucagons -

> hormones made by the pancreas to burn fat - and glucose levels,

> particularly in response to fasting.

>

> Humans possess three genes that are " highly similar " to the worm

> pha-4, all belonging to the Foxa family.

>

> All three play an important role in development and then later on in

> the regulation of glucagon, a hormone made by the pancreas that unlike

> insulin increases the concentration of blood sugar and maintains the

> body's energy balance, especially during fasting.

>

> When food is in short supply, these genes may alter glucagon levels or

> cause other changes in hormones that are ultimately able to regulate

> the ageing process.

>

> The team is now going to study these human genes to see if they react

> the same way as those in nematodes do when the worms are denied their

> favourite treat, bacteria.

>

> Prof Dillin said that they would also test a range of drugs to see if

> they can find some that boost the activity of the human equivalent of

> the worm gene and, in theory, could boost longevity.

>

> So far, only one other gene, called sir-2, has been implicated in the

> life- and health-prolonging response of the boy to calorie

> restriction. Increased use of the gene extends longevity of yeast,

> worms, and flies.

>

> However, the link is not so clean cut because the loss of sir-2

> disrupts the calorie restriction response only in some strains of

> yeast and has no effect on other organisms, such as worms.>>>

May 15, 2007

Hi Ed

Thanks Ed, I realised this, I was just trying to release my rather dull

sense of humour. My real question is what other benefits do these drugs

have. By weight training and strength training even at 90 years old (as per

Carruthers recent post) you can stave off a lot of the trouble with

getting older (being physically unable to cope). The rest I think is rather

down to your genes. My maternal grandmother died at 93 her sisters all in

their 90's and my mother is realy healthy heading well into her mid 70's. On

my paternal side only my uncle made it past 70 every one else died young. I

wonder which genes I got? The problem with drugs is that we are never quite

sure how else they will affect us and people then stop taking responsibility

for their own health. Just my thoughts.

Regards

Nick Tatalias

Johannesburg

South Africa

>

> Hi Nick,

>

> I did not say that I follow Roy Walford's plan, I just know about it.

>

> The important point here is that scientists are working on a supplement or

> drug that would mimic the results of signifcant calorie restriction -

> without having to live on a near-starvation diet.

>

> Ed White

> Sandwich, MA USA

>

> ========================

>

> Nick Tatalias <nick.tatalias@... <nick.tatalias%40gmail.com>> wrote:

> A 60% reduction in calories? I take it you can't be a performance person

> or

> have a very normal life. I think the comment that it just feels like you

> live longer is appropriate. That off course comming from a heavy weight

> weightlifter :-)

>

> Nick Tatalias

> Johannesburg

> South Africa

May 15, 2007

It would be great if the scientists could solve the

puzzle of alzheimer's dementia and other degenerative

diseases before they learn how to prolong life.

I have seen too many " healthy octagenarian's " who

cannot remember what happened 10 minutes ago. Their

bodies are in good shape but they have suffered from a

loss of memory.

Others have a clear mind and strong hearts but their

joints are so deteriorated that they can just about

walk.

The most important issue is quality of life and not

necessarily longevity.

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct USA

--- Ed White wrote:

> Hi Nick,

>

> I did not say that I follow Roy Walford's plan, I

> just know about it.

>

> The important point here is that scientists are

> working on a supplement or drug that would mimic the

> results of signifcant calorie restriction - without

> having to live on a near-starvation diet.

>

> Ed White

> Sandwich, MA USA

>

> ========================

>

> Nick Tatalias wrote:

> A 60% reduction in calories? I take it you can't

> be a performance person or

> have a very normal life. I think the comment that it

> just feels like you

> live longer is appropriate. That off course comming

> from a heavy weight

> weightlifter :-)

>

> Nick Tatalias

> Johannesburg

> South Africa

>

> >

> > This has been known for years. In fact, Dr. Roy

> Walford (UCLA) began

> > conducting an experiment on himself

> (undernutrition without malnutrition),

> > but ended up dying of ALS at age 79.

> >

> > There are several theories as to why it works. One

> is simply that it

> > reduces free-radical damage. Another is that is

> slows down cellular aging so

> > that the Hayflick limit takes much longer to

> reach.

> >

> > Ed White

> > Sandwich, MA USA

> >

> > ====================

> > " W.G. 'Bill' " >

> > wrote:

> > From the A4M BioTech E-Newsletter [05/10/2007] -

> Scientists Unlock Key

> > to Longer Life

> >

> > The day when humans could enjoy at least a partial

> " elixir of life " , a

> > pill extending lifespan by up to 40 per cent,

> moves closer today with

> > the discovery of a " longevity gene " .

> >

> > Scientists found a gene in a worm that links

> eating less with longer life

> > Researchers in America studying worms believe they

> have provided a key

> > insight into the only proven way to live longer.

> >

> > Scientists have discovered from 70 years studying

> creatures such as

> > dogs, mice, yeast, fruit flies and nematode worms,

> that a reduction in

> > calorie intake by 60 per cent of normal, while

> maintaining a healthy

> > diet of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients,

> consistently prolongs

> > life by up to 40 per cent.

> >

> > That regime also reduces the risk of cancer,

> diabetes, and

> > cardiovascular disease, while staving off

> age-related degeneration of

> > the brain and nervous system.

> >

> > Although some people are already imposing this

> strict diet on

> > themselves, and primate experiments appear to back

> this longevity

> > effect, it is still too early tell whether calorie

> restriction will

> > have the same effect in humans.

> >

> > Many scientists also joke that the reduction in

> calories is so drastic

> > that it only feels like you are living longer.

> >

> > But now researchers at the Salk Institute for

> Biological Studies in La

> > Jolla, California, have identified a critical gene

> in nematode worms

> > that specifically links eating fewer calories to

> living longer.

> >

> > They think it provides a crucial clue as to why

> persistent hunger

> > promotes long life.

> >

> > Identifying this " longevity pathway " opens the

> door to the development

> > of drugs that mimic the effects of calorie

> restriction and might allow

> > people to reap health benefits without adhering to

> an austere regime

> > that only the toughest ascetics can endure.

> >

> > In a paper published today in Nature, Prof

> Dillin and

> > colleagues show that pha-4, a gene that plays an

> essential part in

> > embryonic development of the worm, has a newly

> discovered function in

> > adults - increased activity of the gene is

> associated with longevity

> > in the " sweet spot " of food consumption between

> the extremes of harm

> > caused by starvation and overeating.

> >

> > " After 72 years of not knowing how calorie

> restriction works, we

> > finally have genetic evidence to unravel the

> underlying molecular

> > program required for increased longevity in

> response to calorie

> > restriction, " said Prof Dillin.

> >

> > " This is the first gene that is absolutely

> essential and specific for

> > the increased longevity response to dietary

> restriction. "

> >

> > Initially, researchers thought that the effect of

> calorie restriction

> > on ageing was to do with signalling pathways

> related to the hormone

> > insulin but experiments by graduate student Siler

> Panowski in Prof

> > Dillin's lab suggested reality was more complex

> and another gene

> > called SMK-1 was more involved in the effects of

> starvation, to their

> > surprise.

> >

> > The work suggests that insulin signalling and

> calorie restriction are

> > independent pathways, but SMK-1 plays a role in

> both, said Panowski.

> > The team studied 15 genes that could be involved

> with SMK-1 and found

> > that the loss of only one, a gene called pha-4,

> negated the

> > lifespan-enhancing effect of calorie-restriction

> in the worms.

> >

> > Dramatically, when researchers undertook the

> opposite experiment—

> > making more pha-4 in worms — longevity was

> enhanced, suggesting that

> > this could offer a target for life extension

> drugs.

> >

> > Detailed work showed that the gene can boost

> levels of proteins called

> > SODs (superoxide dismutase) which mop up free

> radicals, harmful

> > chemicals linked with ageing.

> >

> > The researchers think that this may be a defence

> mechanism that helps

> > the creatures tolerate starvation. The pha-4 gene

> is similar to those

> > in people called Foxa transcription factors, which

> also have important

> > roles during development and act later in life to

> regulate glucagons -

> > hormones made by the pancreas to burn fat - and

> glucose levels,

> > particularly in response to fasting.

> >

> > Humans possess three genes that are " highly

> similar " to the worm

> > pha-4, all belonging to the Foxa family.

> >

> > All three play an important role in development

> and then later on in

> > the regulation of glucagon, a hormone made by the

> pancreas that unlike

> > insulin increases the concentration of blood sugar

> and maintains the

> > body's energy balance, especially during fasting.

> >

> > When food is in short supply, these genes may

> alter glucagon levels or

> > cause other changes in hormones that are

> ultimately

=== message truncated ===

May 15, 2007

I totally agree Ralph!!! My grandma is in her 80's and is healthy in body- but

her mind is gone due to dementia- so what good is a healthy body with a sad

crazy mind?

It's such a horrible sad thing to watch-

She does have good days and smiles and can be happy, enjoy a nice sunny day,

enjoy a tasty meal & desert etc- but just as equally as she can enjoy the simple

wonderful things in life she can also be as equally sad, uncontrollable crying

for no reason, crazy, depressed, confussed...

A long life verses a healthy mind is a huge difference...and yet who wants to

have a long life with a healthy mind but yet have a body that is racked with

pain like some have due to degenerative skeletal issues etc...

I guess only the lucky few can have a healthy mind and body and a long life...

Ren

Washington USA

================

Ralph Giarnella wrote: It

would be great if the scientists could solve the

puzzle of alzheimer's dementia and other degenerative

diseases before they learn how to prolong life.

I have seen too many " healthy octagenarian's " who

cannot remember what happened 10 minutes ago. Their

bodies are in good shape but they have suffered from a

loss of memory.

Others have a clear mind and strong hearts but their

joints are so deteriorated that they can just about

walk.

The most important issue is quality of life and not

necessarily longevity.

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct USA

=====================

May 15, 2007

I saw a documentary on calorie restriction and longer life. The people

portrayed were totally consumed ( a pun?) with planning their menu. I would

hope I have more to do with an extended life span than worrying how to make the

one mouthful for the day seem the tastiest.

People who age the best definitely do have a genetic advantage. The right

substances equalize that advantage. For myself, the use of growth hormone has

given me advantages not seen in my siblings. I know this is a controversial

topic in terms of possible malignancies. There are arguments both pro and con

on this issue. However there is nothing that comes close to improving the

quality of life for an active older individual. At sixty, I function as well as

I did in my thirties. See www.niptuckfitness.com

Bruce J. Nadler M.D.

Los Angeles, CA

===================

Ralph Giarnella wrote: It

would be great if the scientists could solve the

puzzle of alzheimer's dementia and other degenerative

diseases before they learn how to prolong life.

I have seen too many " healthy octagenarian's " who

cannot remember what happened 10 minutes ago. Their

bodies are in good shape but they have suffered from a

loss of memory.

Others have a clear mind and strong hearts but their

joints are so deteriorated that they can just about

walk.

The most important issue is quality of life and not

necessarily longevity.

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct USA

--- Ed White wrote:

> Hi Nick,

>

> I did not say that I follow Roy Walford's plan, I

> just know about it.

>

> The important point here is that scientists are

> working on a supplement or drug that would mimic the

> results of signifcant calorie restriction - without

> having to live on a near-starvation diet.

>

> Ed White

> Sandwich, MA USA

>

> ========================

Bruce J. Nadler, M.D.

Nip Tuck Fitness LA

Certified Personal Trainer

American College of Sports Medicine

International Sports Sciences Assoc.

www.niptuckfitness.com

May 15, 2007

Dr. Ralph,

I strongly second your opinion on quality of life over quantity as

where our misguided priorities are in the

scientific/medical/healthcare/and lastly our societies mental

focus....which is really quite pathetic.

Forbes

Director of Player Development

Athletic Spinal Fitness Institute

Ridgefield, Wa

Is

> > >

> > > This has been known for years. In fact, Dr. Roy

> > Walford (UCLA) began

> > > conducting an experiment on himself

> > (undernutrition without malnutrition),

> > > but ended up dying of ALS at age 79.

> > >

> > > There are several theories as to why it works. One

> > is simply that it

> > > reduces free-radical damage. Another is that is

> > slows down cellular aging so

> > > that the Hayflick limit takes much longer to

> > reach.

> > >

> > > Ed White

> > > Sandwich, MA USA

May 16, 2007

>

> I saw a documentary on calorie restriction and longer life. The people

portrayed were totally

> consumed ( a pun?) with planning their menu.

Dysfunctional food behaviour and orientation appears to be a normal

human response to caloric deprivation. I recall some of the original

obesity research demonstrating that when people's intake was severely

restricted, the subjects began to be obsessed with food and its

preparation/acquisition. They swapped recipes, discussed food

constantly, etc.

Having dieted down to about 14-15% bodyfat in the past, the notion of

having to maintain such a restricted intake for the rest of my life

seems brutal -- contemplate, if you will, the energy intake required

for a 110 lb woman to accomplish significant CR. It seems bizarre to

sacrifice wellbeing for decades in order to pursue a few more

potential years of life.

Of course, I'm not sure how to explain people like me who are totally

into cooking and call our friends to talk about the incredible mangos

they just scored from Chinatown...

Food obsessed (in a good way) in Toronto, ON

Krista -Dixon

kristascottdixon@...

May 17, 2007

Interesting article in Slate magazine comparing calorie restriction to anorexia:

http://www.slate.com/id/2164436/entry/2164437/

The author suggests that a large percent of CRONies ( " Calorie Restriction with

Optimum Nutrition " ) are people in mid-life crisis who seek both the sense of

control and the endorphin rush that initially result from calorie restriction.

Roy Zornow

New York City

Excerpts:

Forget everything you've ever heard about anorexia. It turns out starving

yourself is healthy.

So, at least, one might conclude from recent articles (here, here, and here)

about calorie restriction, which studies have shown to extend the lives of

animals like monkeys and mice and which is now being tested with humans. The

mechanism by which calorie restriction slows aging in animals isn't yet

understood. But it seems to depend on these basic mechanics: When you eat less

than you need, your metabolism slows down. Your heart rate ebbs, your

temperature drops. It's an evolutionary response meant to help us survive during

famines (and it explains why some dieters have such difficulty losing weight).

As a former anorexic, I've found it strange to hear scientists hail low

metabolism—a central feature of that disease—as a sign of health and potential

longevity. When I was being treated, my doctors invoked my low metabolism as a

catchall for the physical damage I was doing. My low heart rate, amenorrhea (the

loss of my period), and the goose bumps I got in 70-degree weather were all

signs of illness. So, how can something that is a symptom of disease in one

person be a marker of good health in another?

Remarkably, no one from the eating disorders field has stepped forward to

explain what the difference between calorie restriction and anorexia might be.

None of the major organizations—the Academy for Eating Disorders, the National

Eating Disorders Association, and the Eating Disorders Coalition—has made any

statement on calorie restriction. I suspect they don't really know what to say.

Doctors I've interviewed say they're concerned about the message that

semistarvation is healthy. But, when pressed to say whether reducing one's

metabolism is overall healthful or harmful, they admit that we simply don't

know. One doctor admitted that there may be benefits to anorexia, assuming you

survive it: There is evidence, for instance, that women who recover from

anorexia are at lower risk for cardiovascular disease later in life. On the

other hand, one risk of long-term calorie restriction (and anorexia) is bone

loss, which if severe enough causes osteoporosis. (When your metabolism slows

down, the levels of hormones that trigger your body to add calcium to your bones

also decrease.)

Proponents of calorie restriction are much more assertive in differentiating CR

from anorexia. The Web site of the Calorie Restriction Society, an organization

that claims more than 2,000 members, has a page dedicated to listing the

differences. It states, " Anorexia: It's All About Appearance. Calorie

Restriction: It's All About Health. " The next point is that anorexia is the

result of low self-esteem ( " Anorexia: I Am Bad " ), whereas CR is about loving and

respecting yourself: " The inner monologue of a CR practitioner is 'Calorie

Restriction is worth the effort because it may prolong my life and health.' "

While these distinctions have some superficial truth, they rely on an extreme

oversimplification of anorexia, and of CR, as well. To begin with, anorexia is

not all about appearance. An anorexic, like a CR practitioner, could easily be

motivated by the belief that what she is doing—watching her portions, avoiding

" bad-for-you " foods—is healthy....

But the psychological aspects of anorexia and CR are easier to compare. I read

archived e-mail exchanges of the Calorie Restriction Society and found five

people to interview: Dean, a software engineer; and Meredith, a couple who

practice CR together; Al, a retired scientist; and Nerissa, a preoperative

male-to-female transsexual. It was a limited survey but a revealing one.

In its psychology, I found, CR closely resembles anorexia. Both represent an

attempt to change your life by drastically changing your diet. The explicit

rationales differ: A CR person says he wants to live longer; an anorexic

typically says she wants to be thin. But the deeper wish for a sense of

purpose—and the discovery of that purpose in the rewards of not eating—are the

same....

One thing is clear: It's time for doctors who study eating disorders to stop

wishing the conversation about calorie restriction would go away. Instead they

need to join it, adding their crucial perspective on the effects of starvation.

In the meantime, should the rest of us start messing with our bodies' functions

in the hope of extending the natural lifespan? Until much more research is

done—by scientists who understand the close connection between our bodies and

minds—let's be skeptical, and eat.

May 17, 2007

I'm no expert on nutrition or anorexia, but I've dieted on and off for years.

What I understand about calorie restriction for health is that the average woman

would eat about 800 calories a day, which is significantly more than an

anorexic.

I agree with you that until there is more study and more info, we need to eat.

And we need to take care about what we eat.

I've changed my 'diet', which is to say, the way I eat, drastically. Though I do

occasionally splurge on a burger or ice cream, I'm working hard to keep my

calories at about 1500, making sure to get enough calcium, protein, etc. At this

rate it should take me about 15 months to lose the 58 pounds I have left to

lose.

I think it's critical for all of us to THINK! We know our bodies. We know what

we've been through. We know our own habits and preferences. If we can take what

we know about ourselves and add what we learn through sites like this, and then