Calorie Restriction (CR) is the reduction in the overall amount of calories (by 25 to 50%) while maintaining proper nutrition.It is a proven method to extend the lifespan of all tested species.CR has been shown successful on a wide range of organisms, from single celled to very complex (including monkeys).The wide range of success of CR indicates that the process of life extension is based on effects within the individual cells of the organisms, and that the process allowing lifespan extension is preserved across species.
The benefits of CR are numerous.In addition to lifespan extension, the onsets of aging-related diseases are also delayed, leading to a healthier organism for a longer time.In mammals, CR delays kidney disease, autoimmune disease, and type II diabetes.CR reduces age associated neuron loss in mouse models of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.It is also noted that even moderate CR lowers cancer risk in mammals.Additionally, CR mammals have been observed to have less body fat.CR has been shown to enhance the repair of DNA in skin and other tissues after exposure to ultraviolet light.DNA repair is critical for skin repair and to prevent skin aging.It also reduces skin cancer incidence.Studies of humans undergoing CR for 3 to 15 years have shown reduced risk for atherosclerosis along with reductions in fasting glucose, fasting insulin, Hs-CRP levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol as compared to equivalent age-matched controls.
Calorie Restricted conditions can be "mimicked" by compounds that create similar cellular conditions. benaGeneTM is a calorie restriction mimic that has been shown in animal testing to increase lifespan, increase healthspan, lower fasting glucose levels, and stabilize glucose metabolism.*
Additional Reading:
Lane, M. et al.Nutritional Modulation of aging in nonhuman primates, 1999 The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, Vol. 3, No. 2 pp 69-76
Kubova et al, How does calorie restriction work? 2003 Genes & Development. Vol. 17 pp 212-221.
Lane et al, Short-term calorie restriction improves disease-related markers in older male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) 1999 Mechanisms of Ageing and Development Vol. 112 pp 185-195
Mai, V. Even Moderate Caloric Restriction Lowers Cancer Risk in Mice, Experimental Biology Conference 2002 April 23 meeting
Lee, et al., The impact of a-Lipoic Acid, Coenzyme Q10, and Caloric Restriction on Life Span and Gene Expression Patterns in Mice, Free Radical Biology & Medicine, Vol. 36, No. 8, pp. 1043-1057, 2004
Lin, S. et al, Calorie restriction extends yeast life span by lowering the level of NADH. 2004 Genes & Development Vol. 18 pp 12-16.
Masternak, et. al., Divergent Effects of Caloric Restriction on Gene Expression in Normal and Long-Lived Mice, Journal of Genontology, 2004, Vol. 59A, No. 8, 784-788
Zhu, et al, Caloric Restriction Modulates Early Events in Insulin Signaling in Liver and Skeletal Muscle of Rat, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., Volume 1019, pages 448-452, 2004
Lipman et al, "The influence of dietary restriction on DNA repair in rodents: a preliminary study", Mech Ageing Dev 1989: 48: 135-43
Weraarchakul et al, "The effect of aging and dietary restriction on DNA repair", Exp Cell Res 1989; 181:197-204
Licastro et al, "Effect of dietary restriction upon the age-associated decline of lymphocyte DNA repair activity in mice", Age 1988: 11: 48-52
Srivastava et al, "Decreased fidelity of DNA polymerases and decreased DNA excision repair in aging mice: Effects of caloric restriction", Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1992: 182: 712-21
Tilley et al, "Enhanced unscheduled DNA synthesis by secondary cultures of lung cells established from calorically restricted aged rats", Mech Ageing Dev 1992: 63" 165-76
Fontana, et al, "Long-term calorie restriction is highly effective in reducing the risk for atherosclerosis in humans, PNAS, April 27, 2004, Vol.101, no. 17, pp 6659-6668
* Based on Published Laboratory Research in Animals. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
