By Larry Marsh, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009
Various studies have suggested that calorie restriction may work to extend life. If you eat less, can you avoid cancer and live longer?
Previous research carried out with mice has demonstrated that calorie restriction can improve both health and longevity. A more recent study on rhesus monkeys has confirmed these results. The mice and the monkeys significantly reduced the diseases usually associated with old age including cancer.
In response to these and other similar research studies some people have undertaken calorie restriction as a way to protect their health as they get older and to live longer. It is important to point out that this refers to intentional weight loss. Unintentional weight loss in seniors has been associated with an increased probability of dementia and mortality.
Some people who believe in this theory claim that calorie restriction can reduce your probability of getting cancer. Your body can do three things with calories: (1.) supply immediate energy for physical activity, (2.) help to maintain or replace the cells you've got, and (3.) expand by growing more cells. Cancer involves uncontrolled rapid cell growth. Your body can use a number of things to facilitate rapid cell growth: (a.) refined sugar, (b.) high cholesterol foods that are designed specifically to support rapid cell growth, (c.) other foods that supply extra calories beyond those needed just to maintain or replace your body's existing cells.
This theory claims that when you restrict these and related items you restrict rapid cell growth and, therefore, limit the spread of cancer. If you limit your calories so your body only gets enough calories to maintain current physical activity and defend what you've got, then, according to this theory, not enough calories are left over to support rapid cell growth, and you inhibit the spread of cancer. Calorie restriction may prevent cancer from getting sufficient critical mass to overcome your body's natural defenses. It may trigger a change in metabolism in the body analogous to that of a bear going into hibernation.
There may be at least one drawback to take into consideration. If your weight drops considerably, your bone density may decline as well. Thin people should consider weight bearing exercise to avoid osteoporosis. Suffering a hip fracture can significantly reduce life expectancy.
Only a carefully designed health strategy can make it possible to avoid both cancer and osteoporosis to maximize your chances of a long and healthy life. As yet no studies of the effects of intentional calorie deprivation have been carried out on humans. Consequently, whether calorie restriction should be part of a sensible health strategy is still unclear. What is clear is that a lot more research needs to be done.
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Also see:
No-Eat-Day Diet: A good strategy or bad advice?
Why cavemen didn't have weak bones
Reprogram your subconscious mind to commit terrorism or lose weight
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