Short-Term Benefits
A "check-list" of a few, major "short-term" benefits
(these are benefits you may notice within a few weeks to a few months
after beginning a calorie-restricted diet). Please note, these are based
on anecdotal
human accounts of some members of the CR
Society. Not gossip nor hearsay, by any means, but not scientifically
validated, nor measurable (nor comparable to animal-model analogs). Not
only have these effects never been studied in animals, many of them would
technically be difficult to measure or "gauge" in animal subjects
if they were attempted. All that said, the short-term physiological
improvements tend to be supported by similar, long-term physiological
improvements. The psychological effects may be empirically significant
since they are noted often by numerous long-term followers of the
diet.
- Fewer colds/flu's
- Fewer headaches
- Fewer aches/pains, in general
- Fewer hemorrhoids
- Improved complexion (acne, and the like)
- An hour or two gained due to requirement of less sleep.
Some reports of Rhesus monkeys (University of Wisconsin, Madison) may
reveal deeper, more restful sleep (based on accelerometer data of sleeping
monkeys)
- Mental clarity plus focus (this seems to make sense evolutionarily,
too: clarity + focus + logical-decision-making capability are necessary
for "famine-mode" calorie search and acquisition; of course,
we humans can take advantage of the former, and discard the latter using
our scientific intuition).
- Sensory-input resolution improvements: auditory, olfactory, etc.
(not sure whether this has been discussed; but I (KH)
have noticed it ... and it seems to make sense with respect
to an evolutionary-response mechanism: that is, more acute senses allow
one to acquire food (calories) easier)
- Improved mental health (less emotional swings, noise, clutter; possible
relief from phobias)
- Greater energy and stamina (if CR is tweaked within the context
of one's personal lifestyle and quality-of-life (QOL))
- etc.
Calorie
Restriction vs. Sex Restriction |
Long-Term Benefits
Based on empirical evidence gleaned from repeated, mammalian calorie-restriction
studies. Note: the magnitude to which improvements are noted depends
upon how restricted (without malnourishment) the organism is.
- Cancer inhibition (virtually all type, including: breast,
lymphoma, GI, prostate, etc)
- Diabetes inhibition
- Hypertension inhibition
- Cardiovascular Disease inhibition and overall Circulatory health
retention
- Respiratory Health retention
- Neurological Health retention
- Kidney Disease inhibition
- Autoimmune Diseases (lupus, anemia, etc.) inhibition
- Age-Related Muscle Wasting inhibition
- Skeletal "disintegration" inhibition
- etc.
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