Eat Less, Live Longer

Years ago, we learned that mice kept on a low calorie diet live longer. Now, we know the same approach works for monkeys. Have we hit on the fountain of youth?

It's been more than 20 years in process (because monkeys live long lives), but a new study suggests that the answer is yes. According to an article in the New York Times, rhesus monkeys kept on a "caloric restriction" diet, seem likely to live an extra ten years -- and are successfully avoiding common illnesses such as diabetes and cancer. Only 37 percent of the comparison monkeys have so far died of "old age," compared with 13 percent of the dieting group (though dieters have died of non-age-related issues).

To get these terrific results, the monkeys are receiving 30% fewer calories than normal by eating smaller portions of their usual diet. Permanently cutting out 30% of a human diet is no small feat. That's why pharmaceutical firms are searching for a pill version of a low-calorie diet. To date, the drug resveratrol, based on a substance found in red wine, has shown promise. Meanwhile, there's no easy way to cut calories without cutting high-calorie foods.

There's plenty of controversy about the monkey study -- many scientists feel the findings are premature or exaggerated. And of course resveratrol, touted as a miracle drug, probably isn't.

Still, you can't lose anything but extra weight by cutting extra calories. And who knows? You may wind up with an extra few years of life as a bonus for good behavior. Of course, you may spend those extra years and the years before them as an irritable grump from being hungry all the time.

Photo Credit: StockXChange