I have long been opposed to diets. They come in many flavors (no pun intended). Most diets are fads which start with celebrity endorsement, great testimonials, and loose application of facts. Most of the diets never really work for the masses or are downright dangerous. My advice has always been rooted in a scientific approach. If you want to lose weight do the math. Calories are a easy and convenient way to measure energy. If you want to lose weight then reduce your intake. One pound is equal to 3500 calories. Do the math and you can eat whatever you want granted that you stay within your calorie budget.
Today, as I saw a headline about calorie restriction diets I was drawn in. I have heard that in rat lifespan can be increased by reducing caloric intake, but I never looked into it. As it turns out there have been numerous studies on different species including humans. There is even a calorie restriction (CR) society. Preliminary findings indicated longer lifespan, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, resistance to some genetic diseases, and slower physical aging. there does appears to be at least two catches though. First, you have to eat 10-15% less than the average western omnivore. And, you have unsure you get all of the necessary vitamins and minerals daily.
Who doesn't want to healthier and live longer? Maybe all of those anorexic girls are on to something after all. Should we praise them and refer to them as extreme CRers? Does this also explain why women generally live longer than men? I say it is time to live healthier and level our insurance premiums. Men, stand up and leave the table. Let us all stop eating for the good of ourselves and the good of our nation. Science and especially the Internet never lies. The secret to life is not eating.
http://biosingularity.wordpress.com/2006/06/04/calorie-restriction-appears-better-than-exercise-at-slowing-primary-aging/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/06/05/calorie-restriction-part-one.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorie_restriction
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