Calorie restriction: Is this anti-aging diet worth a try?

Researchers are finding that calorie restriction diets seem to extend the lives of animals, but whether these anti-aging diets help people remains to be seen.

A diet that has extended the life span of worms, flies and rats is capturing the interest of humans. Believers say the calorie restriction diet, which involves eating less, while still getting enough vitamins and nutrients, makes them healthier. And they hope calorie restriction extends their lives. But just because a diet works in animals doesn't necessarily mean it will work for people. And even if a limited calorie diet was found to extend your life, would you be willing to stick to it?

What is calorie restriction?

Calorie restriction is the practice of eating less than your body needs to maintain your normal weight. Exactly how much less a person eats on a calorie restriction diet varies. In research studies, people practicing calorie restriction ate 20 percent to 25 percent less than their bodies needed. For example, a person who needs 2,000 daily calories for weight maintenance might eat 1,500 to 1,600 calories a day on a calorie restriction diet. People who follow a calorie restriction diet do so in hopes of slowing the aging process and extending their lives.

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