Large LifeSpan Gain from CR

[Guest guest]

Here is a chart that I stumbled upon that shows the dramatic

gain in lifespan available by reducing calories:

TinyURL: http://tinyurl.com/2x3mm

FullURL:

http://old.calorierestriction.org/images/sections/content/merry/Merry_21162_

image001-x.gif

The LifeSpan gain is directly proportional to the reduction in calories,

and it is consistent across all studies (24 in this meta analysis).

To quote the caption:

" " A negative linear relationship can be demonstrated between the intensity

of calorie-restricted feeding and the increase in maximum lifespan

recorded within the limits tolerated by the species. The data is taken

from 24 published studies using the CR model of retarded aging in rodent

species. In each study, increase in maximum lifespan is normalized to

that of the non-restricted animals in order to control for differences

in husbandry practices, health status of animals, species, strain of

rodent and feeding regime employed. An index of 1.0 represents survival

in the control, non-restricted animals (100% energy intake). " "

Fewer calories ... More gain ... Proportional ...

The results here show the life extension effects are proportional to

the degree of calorie restriction - even when calories were taken down to

very low levels of near starvation -- a level of only 30% of those in

the control diets. This is startling to see. Look at the chart.

My impression is that this near-linearity extends " the other way " - into

the " obesity avoidance " region - as well.

I.e. lifespan extension and calorie intake are still well correlated even

before CR-proper begins to kick in.

Obesity is as about as bad for your lifespan as CR is good for it - as

illustrated in studies like [1].

This relative-linearity is a little surprising - since a whole bunch

of different effects are operating in these two zones (CR and OA),

but the overall relationship between calories and LS still holds

remarkably smoothly between them.

OA = Obese Adlib.

See the PMID reference below. It is worthwhile to see that overweight

mortality can be compared to mortality due to cigarette smoking.

[1] Obesity in adulthood and its consequences for life expectancy:

a life-table analysis.

http://calorierestriction.org/pmid/?n=12513041