Re: It All Seems so Simple Now (set point)

[Guest guest]

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From: " jwwright " <jwwright@e...>

Date: Mon May 24, 2004 1:23 pm

Subject: Re: [ ] It All Seems so Simple Now

I'm still struggling with the definition of " set point " , %

CR, " healthy food " , whether CR extends life in humans. Now, eating

less is no challenge, losing weight is no challenge. Having someone

to tell me what weight to get to - that's a challenge.

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The " set point " is defined as the " weight toward which one naturally

drifts if he or she neither under- nor overeats " . The definition

of " set point " is problematic because there are subjective

variables. If you leave the table hungry are you undereating? If

you eat an extra apple are you overeating? How much extra should you

eat if you exercise vigorously?

It may be better to identify your best weight on the basis of the

maximum BMI that will decrease your chances of disease. In the CRON

Science section of the FILES there is an informative spreadsheet.

Files > CRON SCIENCE

CSPI_plots_of_BMI_vs_disease_risk.xls

The spreadsheet has a table that shows that the risks of Arthritis,

Diabetes, Endometrial Cancer, Gallstones, and Hypertension are

minimized when the BMI drops below 22, but does not decrease

substantially when the BMI drops below 21. Using a BMI calculator

you can find out what your weight should be to decrease the risk of

all these diseases. If you are 5'8 " , for example, your weight should

be between 138 - 144 lb. A BMI of 21.7 happens to be the midpoint of

the normal BMI range (18.5 to 24.9). Healthwise, your best BMI is

around this midpoint.

I don't know if it is advantageous to have a lower BMI, unless it

provides longevity.