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It has been demonstrated for a long time -- specifically, since 1930 -- that caloric restriction in experimental animals and primates will slow the aging process. Recently, this concept has gotten a lot of buzz: Extreme caloric restriction is getting more popular as people seek new ways to be healthier and live longer.

The application of the stuides to humans is still unproven, but the scientific basis makes a lot of sense.

Many theories exist as to how caloric restriction slows aging, but the most prominent ones relate to reduction in oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage and modulation of aging genes and other genetic and biochemical pathways.

Here's how it works

Consumption of food results in an increase in oxygen free radicals during the process of oxidative-phosphorylation in the mitochondria of the cells to make ATP, the fuel for all cellular function. These free radicals increase oxidative stress and damage a wide variety of cells and tissue, such as protein and DNA.

The destruction of the protective cap of our DNA, called the telomere, results in eventual damage to DNA and thus the information to maintain normal cell function. The cells age more rapidly and then die. Reduction in caloric intake is thought to reduce the formation of oxygen free radicals and thus prolong DNA function and cell life.

It's not an easy road

The problem with caloric restriction is that most humans are not willing or able to reduce caloric intake to a level that achieves these desired results. The amount of caloric restriction required in the clinical studies is at least 30 percent. However, recent European investigators (ENA, Berlin, Germany, February 2006) have suggested a common sense method that may achieve the same results without severe sacrifice.

Here's the good news

Fasting for 12 hours will increase certain anabolic hormones like growth hormone and sex hormones, while decreasing insulin levels and at the same time decreasing free radicals. These investigators suggest that three or four days per week, anyone who wants to try this method should eat no food after about 5:00 p.m. for the next 12 hours. This more practical means of restricting calories is easier because you simply refrain from eating during these selected periods of time.

So if you're interested in the much-touted benefits of caloric restriction but aren't interested in the extreme plans, now you have another option to consider. This is only one of the new ways to slow aging, and we'll have other articles in the future demonstrating how to slow the aging process.

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