Guest guest Posted March 18, 2004 Report Share Posted March 18, 2004 The following is a great personal interest story about why CR makes good sense. -- Warren http://www.thesandiegochannel.com/health/2856643/detail.html TheSanDiegoChannel.com Less Calories To Avoid Disease, Live Longer Doctors Say Severe Restriction Can Increase Lifespan POSTED: 12:33 PM PST February 18, 2004 UPDATED: 1:28 PM PST February 18, 2004 SAN DIEGO – For the past nine years, Tom Horvath has cut his calorie intake by 25 percent and allows himself only 2,100 calories a day. His goal is not to lose weight, but to avoid disease and live longer. " Although, initially I was scared because I wasn't sure what I'd end up looking like, my energy level, and how people would react. How would I handle hunger? How would it work? " Horvath asked himself. Horvath lost weight. In fact he is very thin. At 6-feet-tall, he weighs just over 150 pounds. " I have had a substantial amount of criticism from people who care about me. That I look too thin and the I must be too thin or some health speculation on their part, " he said. The fact is, Horvath has a very active life. " I run. I play tennis. I referee soccer games and I play musical instruments, " he said. He said he has never felt better. " I have more physical energy. I sleep less. I get fewer colds. I tolerate heat very well. " He can work out in his living room without breaking a sweat. He's resting heart rate is 48 to 50. His blood pressure is 110 over 68. Those numbers come as no surprise to weight loss specialist Dr. Ken Fujioka. " For several decades, we've known severe calorie restriction can increase your lifespan, " Fujioka said. The connection is so strong in animal studies, the government is investing millions in research on humans. " If you slow down everything. Then you're not turning over the machinery as quickly and you can essentially live longer, " Fujioka said. However, doctors are concerned about the risks of calorie restriction. For example, osteoporosis, kidney and heart problems and depression can occur. Horvath admitted he gets cold more easily. " I have long underwear on. One on top and two on the bottom, " he said. Horvath said he still experiments with calorie restriction and bets he will live longer. " The idea is not just to live longer, but to live healthier, longer. I hope that's true, but by the time this is proven, I'll be dead anyway! So, we all have to place our bets on what will work. I'm quite pleased with the results in the here and now, " he said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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