ANTIAGING TREATMENTS: WELLNESS
Calorie Restriction Program
Calorie restriction, as used by life-extensionists,
is a reduction in calorie intake for the purposes of
lowering one's rate of aging and preventing disease
or mortality associated with disease. Calorie restriction
is not the same as "going on a diet," or simply
eating less, or starving oneself. More on Calorie Restriction
Plans
Caloric Restriction / Fasting Program Considerations
It is natural to feel some hunger at the beginning
of the fast, but this normally ceases by the second
day.
- Prescribed hunger - suppressing agents may be incorporated
at the beginning of the program.
- Programs typically consists of a 7 to 60-day program;
which includes between one and ten fasting days.
- During times of restriction essential nutrients,
especially vitamins and minerals, must be maintained.
- Protein is reduced during the program, however,
minimal essential requirements for protein must be
maintained.
- The diet focuses on "undernutrition without
malnutrition"
Caution: Pregnant and breast-feeding
women, people who are underweight or anemic, and those
with eating disorders, cancer, cardiovascular and digestive
diseases or immune deficiencies should not fast.
Diabetics and people with liver or kidney problems
should consult their doctors before beginning a fast.
Avoid water-only fasts.
Types of Low Calorie Plans
There are two types of low calorie or fasting plans:
- Regular or continuous caloric restriction, the
same calorie-level every day
- Periodic total-fasting days, with normal calorie-level
on other days
Although regular caloric restriction has been proved
to be an effective life-extending technique, we in fact
strongly recommend you to choose the periodic fasting.
Calorie Restriction Plans
Calorie Restriction Plans do not achieve extension
of life span, but do provide significant health benefits.
They also provide a good starting point for getting
past the psychological barriers of feeling hungry, which
can then support you in attempting a fasting regime.
Examples of getting started include:
A very low-fat diet incorporated with
a healthy total diet, is mild calorie restriction. A
good starting point is getting into the habit of not
eating to complete satiety.
Skipping a meal each day –
I prefer to skip either breakfast or dinner, as this
then gives the body additional hours during sleeping
time to detox the body. This works for me, as I am not
accustomed to late afternoon fatigue brought on by plummeting
sugar levels. This may be because I ensure my lunch
has a low GI index; which gives me an even release of
energy throughout the afternoon. Try each to see which
works best for you. Others find that having breakfast,
and skipping lunch, avoids this sugar roller-coaster.
A zero sugar and wheat diet –
another favourite of mine, it fools me into not really
feeling like I am on a diet. They are both empty calories,
providing insignificant nutrition.
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