Trying to lose weight? Be careful not to lose muscle
Is your skin problem actually an autoimmune condition?
People with diabetes face higher risk of hearing loss
Antibiotic-free fixes for recurrent UTIs
Musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause: When menopause makes you ache all over
When can older women stop getting mammograms?
To lose weight, especially harmful belly fat, combine diet and exercise
Can men hold off on treating recurring prostate cancer?
The 7 types of rest and why we need them all
What are the early warning signs of cervical cancer?
Eat Less to Live Longer?
Is it possible to live a good deal longer by eating a good deal less? Proponents of a strict dietary regimen called calorie restriction (CR) claim that it can extend your life and prevent diseases associated with aging. The diet consists of eating a very low-calorie but nutritionally balanced diet that meets 100% of vitamin, mineral, protein and essential fat needs. But can such a lifestyle, which means a dramatic change in eating habits for most Americans, be the "fountain of youth" its followers claim?
The Science Behind Calorie Restriction
CR gained momentum in the 1930s after studies on mice showed that reducing their normal food intake by about 40% increased their maximum life span by 30% to 40%. Since then, research on worms and monkeys has shown that CR works in other species.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Trying to lose weight? Be careful not to lose muscle
Is your skin problem actually an autoimmune condition?
People with diabetes face higher risk of hearing loss
Antibiotic-free fixes for recurrent UTIs
Musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause: When menopause makes you ache all over
When can older women stop getting mammograms?
To lose weight, especially harmful belly fat, combine diet and exercise
Can men hold off on treating recurring prostate cancer?
The 7 types of rest and why we need them all
What are the early warning signs of cervical cancer?
Free Healthbeat Signup
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!
Sign Up
