If you’re concerned solely about your weight and how you look, there are literally dozens of diets from which to choose. There is the South Beach Diet, the Atkins Diet, the Scarsdale Diet Plan, the Chicken Soup diet, the Oprah diet, the Russian Air Force diet and my personal favorite, the Chocolate diet – to name just a few.

But if you’re concerned about life extension, your best bet is probably a restricted calorie die.

Restricted calorie diets and life extension

A restricted calorie diet aids in life extension two ways. First, it reduces the production of free radicals, and second, it increases the resistance of cells to stress. It is thought that both these are important in fighting diseases that have a negative effect on life span such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

There is an abundance of evidence that a restricted calorie diet benefits rats and mice and other species. Because rats and mice have the same physiology as humans, it’s probably good for us as well – in terms of life extension.

What is a restricted calorie diet?

The Centers for Disease Control reports that the average American mail consumes an average of 2,745 calories every day, and the average female 1,833 calories.

A restricted calorie diet is more on the order of s,500 or even 1,200 calories a day.

The trick in restricting calories, the experts day, is to make sure you’re eating foods that are high in nutrition and low in calories. High on the list of such
foods are fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, oats, red meat, fish, poultry and eggs, and legumes which are very high in nutritional value.

But you still can’t skip exercise

However, even if you restrict your caloric intake to 1,500 or fewer calories a day, you won’t find the fountain of youth, experts say, without physical activity – a nice way of saying regular exercise.

If life extension is important to you and you decide to begin restricting calories, you should probably first see a dietitian and have your cholesterol and blood glucose levels checked so you can keep track of your improvements. Next, ease into the diet. Don’t make dramatic changes overnight.

Finally, the Calorie Restriction Society is a great resource for people new to this diet.

Did you know you can also use natural herbs for a longer and better life? For example, there’s a nut – yes, a nut – that can really help with depression anxiety. And that there’s a really smelly herb that was used by the Greeks for increased vitality that can help people with asthma, bronchitis and a restricted airway? Learn more.