Conclusion: Human calorie restriction and anti-aging therapy

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.