Eating fewer calories in an effort to extend our lives has been an issue that has been kicked around by the experts for a number of years, now once again a new study using rhesus monkeys has highlighted the positive benefits of eating less. But how does a study on monkeys translate into longer lives for us? It may seem like monkey business but researchers are confident they’re on the cusp of finding out why we age and possibly how we can slow the process down.
Love handles free zone
The study carried out on rhesus monkeys in a Wisconsin primate centre identified a striking difference in the physical appearance and overall wellbeing of primates that had been on a 30% restricted calorie diet compared to those that were on a normal diet. Rhesus monkeys live for approximately 27 years; the lean mean fighting machines were found to suffer less from age related diseases and in large outlived their unrestricted calorie mates.
Lifestyle disease free
Another very interesting finding was the rhesus monkeys on the restricted diet had lower incidents (less than 50%) of cancerous tumours and heart disease, age related muscle atrophy and less brain shrinkage something we all face as we age.
Metabolic rebooting
It is hypothesised that by restricting calories somehow reboots and reprogram the metab olic processes, not just reducing the rate of ageing but also the incident of age related disease. So it would seem that unless our closest relative gets hit by a low flying plane or slips on a banana skin, caloric restriction it would appear will make their lives longer or at the, least seem longer.
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