Taken from chapter 16 “Calories” of the book Live Young, Two Times Longer and from chapter 1.3 “Learning about calorie restriction” from the book Live Young, Longer.

It is interesting to note that as early as 1935, scientific observations already emphasized the importance of the caloric content of foods versus their nutritional intake (Clive McCay, 1935). Yet 80 years later, high-calorie, low-nutrient foods are responsible for the obesity problems of our time.

Clive M. McCay (1898-1967) was behind the observation of the effects of calorie restriction. It is this observation that has enabled the most important advances of the 20th century in understanding the metabolic processes and pathways associated with aging. Reducing calorie intake by 30%, without reducing the intake of vitamins, minerals and essentials nutrients, can increase lifespan in rodents by 30 to 50%.

Subsequently, this phenomenon was demonstrated in yeast, nematodes, fruit flies, fish, mice and recently in Japanese macaques. Similar functioning mechanisms are present in all living organisms. These mechanisms were therefore preserved during evolution.

The calorie restriction enables:

  • improved glucose management,
  • reduced inflammation and body weight,
  • lower triglycerides and bad blood cholesterol,
  • an increase of good cholesterol,
  • decreased levels of growth hormones,
  • reduced risk of cancer,
  • preserved functions of stem cells,
  • improved metabolism of mitochondria,
  • reduced loss of muscle mass,
  • preserved structure and cognitive functions,

In humans, the following data were reported for a person who applied caloric restriction for seven years (male):

  • his weight went from 180 to 134 pounds;
  • his total cholesterol had dropped by about 30%;
  • his bad cholesterol had dropped by 40% and
  • his good cholesterol had increased by about 50%;
  • his blood pressure and glucose, from an empty stomach, had also decreased.

It should be noted that the human subject presented above is a male who weighed 180 pounds before caloric restriction, without any weight issues, and he weighed only 134 pounds seven years later. The calorie restriction puts the body in a state of fragility which would be very questionable to recommend. It is for this reason that research is now focusing on products/molecules that could modulate the same metabolic pathways, without endangering the organism.

The bottom line is that from a biological point of view, it is now clear that calorie intake has an impact on the speed of aging, because it is also related to our growth speed. Thus, a child deprived from an adequate calorie intake would stop growing. If the calorie intake is not sufficient, the metabolic pathways of growth and development are stopped in order to allow the organism to keep its reserves longer and to devote its efforts to survival. Once in adulthood, this mechanism is still accessible and if an adult is deprived of a sufficient caloric intake, it stops aging (to be more precise, it stops primary aging) and concentrates its efforts on maintenance and repair. This is what we call the effects of calorie restriction.

Some natural molecules have effects similar to calorie restriction (we will discuss this in article 3). They are very few. Idunn Technologies has brought together the best scientifically documented molecules to produce Vitoli® Healthy Aging. Vitoli® Healthy Aging therefore aims to keep you healthy, longer.

Do not be fooled, Idunn Technologies is the only company specializing in the field of aging, carrying out cutting-edge research, offering you very high quality products: the Vitoli® product line.