More moderation thoughts

[Guest guest]

I applaud the discussion on moderation. Walford cautions about keeping body

fat up above a minimum level - 5% for men, 10% for women. Several CRONies

are below this. The rats that lived longer eating 30-40% less calories

started CRON at an earlier age than we are. They were essentially stunted -

smaller than normal. When someone who reached full size tries to cut back to

a very low number of calories, they are more like the rats that started CRON

at a later age - and did not live longer. Everyone in my family is small or

slight - we seem to be able to eat less and maintain a reasonable % of body

fat. I think I ate less than normal during my teen years. The bigger CRONies

that are starting at middle age and cutting back very far on calories may

not be extending their life at all - they may be shortening it. They are

like the older full-size rats. I am also concerned that there may be a

nerve-damage risk for very low body fat. The recent finding that statins

cause nerve damage seems related to this to me. The nervous system is

primarily constructed from fat - fat is the insulator. CRON can be overdone.

Some people are probably overdoing it already. The " prize " for overdoing it

is not the longest life span. I hate to say it, but if you are a

middle-aged person that's eaten heartily all your life and have a large

frame, it is too late for you to be like the optimal rats. You need to

settle for a moderate CRON and significant life extension and improved

health. You just may not be in the Guiness Book of Records. I have a 16 year

old son that is slipping into CRON accidentally - he is influenced by my

eating habits. He is naturally thin, like my husband. Should I let him do

CRON at 16? He'll never be an athlete - there is no interest at all - so he

doesn't care if he's shorter or less bulky than he would have been.