Abstract
During the twentieth century human life expectancy at birth increased by almost 30 years in developed countries and in the twenty-first century it is continuing to rise about 2 months in every year. Currently this is due mainly to medical advances reducing mortality from cardiovascular disease and cancer. In the twenty-first century the epidemic of obesity caused by overeating and reduced physical exercise is threatening to inhibit this continuing gain in human life expectancy. Life-long calorie restriction (CR) in the rat, mouse and the rhesus monkey retard aging, delay the onset of age-related diseases and significantly prolong life. Human 20% CR studies over 2-6 years reduce the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Okinawans, the longest-lived people on earth have been eating 20-40% less food than the Americans for half their life and live 4 years longer. Thus, calorie restriction has only a small impact on human life expectancy compared with the achievements of medicine, which continue to extend human life.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Calorie Restriction, Aging and Longevity |
Publisher | Springer Netherlands |
Pages | 311-318 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9789048185566 |
ISBN (Print) | 9789048185559 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published or Issued - 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Calorie restriction
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Life expectancy
- Obesity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine