Running Head: Calorie Restriction

Calorie Restriction Treatment in Extending Life

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The autoimmune theory is selected for this paper. This theory proposes that the basic

function of the immune system is surveillance. The immune system is programmed before

child’s birth in such a way that it acts as an army that destroys any invader. This theory is based

on two different scientific discoveries. One suggests that the reaction of the immune declines

with age and other one proposes that older immune system produces antibodies against the

normal cells of body mistakenly.

The treatment selected for the treating aging process in human is Calorie Restriction.

According to an estimate, inducing from research on a rat, it was derived that calorie Restriction

(CR) might actually result in increasing the lifespan of human on average about 100 years and

maximum 160 years (Most, J., Tosti, V., Redman, L. M., & Fontana, L., 2017, October 1). The

research on CR has proved to be adequately promising.

The treatment has a lot of benefits. According to study, reducing the intake of calories by

15% for straight 2 years can result in slowing down of aging process, metabolism, and protection

against diseases related to age (Hall, K. D., Bemis, T., Brychta, R., Chen, K. Y., Courville, A.,

Crayner, E. J., … Yannai, L. 2015). It reduces the oxidative stress that is related to neurological

diseases such as Parkinson and Alzheimer, including diabetes, cancer, and many other. CR slows

the basal metabolism that helps in decreasing the danger of chronic diseases and results in

prolonged life. The long term effect of low calorie intake for two 2 years on non-obese people

resulted in the no bad effect such as excessive bone loss, menstrual disorders, or anemia. Even it

led to improvement in health and mood that enhanced the quality of life.

There are many factors that are responsible for influencing metabolism such as dietary,

biological factors, and as antioxidant mechanisms. However, the current theory suggests that for

healthy aging slower metabolism is beneficial and the organisms that efficiently burn the fats

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must have longer life. Apart from the aging process, calorie restriction reduces the risk factor for

a lot of diseases; it includes lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, stroke, heart diseases and

many others (Fontana, L., & Klein, S. , 2007, March 7). It also helped in decrease in

inflammation and thyroid hormones.

It is also seen that CR resulted in increasing the energy efficiency in humans. It has a

positive effect on the activity of mitochondria. It persuades the mitochondrial bio-energetic

efficiency and biogenesis. It also reduces the oxygen consumption of the mitochondria and

increases the potential of membrane that assists in maintaining ATP production.

Low calorie diet is normally between 800-1500 calories per day. People who wants lose

weight go for low calorie diets. Although low calorie diet gives amazing results but it is

recommended for all, especially breastfeeding or pregnant women, also not a good option for

teens. It also might also be suitable for people above 50. The side effects are visible in people

restricting calories for 4-15 weeks. Such people reported to have slight side effects including

nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and fatigue. Such conditions can be overcome in few weeks.

Apart from the minor side effects, there exist some serious side effects of calorie

restriction (Bordone, L., & Guarente, L. , 2005, April).. One of the most harmful side effects is

gallstones during weight loss. When there is a calorie deficit, fat is broken down for energy and

cholesterol is secreted by liver that combines with bile and form stones in gallbladder.

Lesser consumptions also refer to not sufficient fuel for body to work optimally and

weakening of immune system. It slows the metabolism that is good for anti-aging but it can

make one obese. The diets with restricted calories can make humans deficient in iron or folate

which is the reason of anemia and fatigue. Not only this, but it has bad effects as it can lead to

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conditions such as malnourished and make humans less efficient. In women, reduction in fertility

is one of the main side effects of calorie restriction (Guarente, L., & Picard, F. , 2005, February

25). The process of ovulation is related to the hormones such as estrogen and luteinizing

hormone (LH). According to studies, calorie restriction in the diet of a woman can affect the

level of LH. Women who consume 22-42% less calories that the recommended Basal

Metabolism Rate (BMR) are more likely show suppression in the process of reproduction.

An interesting thing that came across during the research of CR, many ethical questions

were raised to the regarding this type of anti-aging treatment. One of the objections was the

worsening of inequalities in lifespan and wealth distribution by the use of the technologies.

These life-extending drugs are relatively cheap but poor having less disposal income is likely to

spend more on food and other necessary stuff in comparison to these drugs. These medicines can

be marketed to the wealthy group that already has healthier and longer lifespan. By the use of

this technology, the health span of poor will remain poor and heath span of richer will become

richer. It can establish two-tier society where the poor people of the society will not only be

dealing with the poverty but also greater risk to aging diseases, and short youth.

A bioethicist claims that it is a huge ethical issue with life-extending drugs. Some of them

argued that a ban on such drug is justifiable or they must be deprioritized in research. However,

this step is quite harsh. Apart from the ethical issues with controlling bans and avoiding

emergency, banning has also its drawbacks. Not curing the one because of ethical issue is not

justifiable. Bioethicists explained if one patient cannot get the treatment of cancer, it doesn’t

mean that other patient should not be treated. It would be quiet unfair for other patient.

Banning the life extensive medication can effect treatments for range of health effects. By

the use of such medication or drugs, the aging process is lowered and also less risk of cardio

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vascular diseases, cancer and diabetes. It makes the banning even more complex, increase in

health span and rejecting the opportunity to get the treatment is objectionable apparently.

Different countries have different rules regarding heath priorities; the concerns related to

social aging are excessively shared. It suggests that both the nation whether rich or poor can be

benefited by the use of the technology. If any country bans these drugs then it will be considered

as missed opportunity in the improvement of age related disease and extension in life.

If these medications are approved by the drug and food authorities of a country then it is

the responsibilities of the nutritionists and people having calorie restriction to use them in a way

the harmful effects are eradicated. The cost of the medicine must also be kept low by the

authorities so that the poor of the society can benefited too. It must made convenient to all the

people and not targeting any single group within the society.

The information regarding calorie restriction enhanced my knowledge that just be cutting

of calories for a specific period of time can result in a lot of benefits. It can help in having a

heath life with improved efficiency in work. However, by mismanaging the diet can result in

harmful effects that cannot be denied. If there is no proper tracking of calories and one is taking

less than the base line recommended than it can lead to more heath issues and weakening of

immune system that exposes one to more diseases. So, cutting of calories is not bad as long as

one desires to stay fit and enjoy the benefits of slow aging but if mishandled than it can be

troublesome. I believe that I might restrict calories intake so to live long and a healthy life but if

it affects my health, I might stop. I made the decision of using life-extending drugs after reading

the benefits of CR.

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Bibliography:

Hall, K. D., Bemis, T., Brychta, R., Chen, K. Y., Courville, A., Crayner, E. J., … Yannai, L.

(2015). Calorie for calorie, dietary fat restriction results in more body fat loss than

carbohydrate restriction in people with obesity. Cell Metabolism, 22(3), 427–436.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2015.07.021

Guarente, L., & Picard, F. (2005, February 25). Calorie restriction - The SIR2 connection. Cell.

Cell Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2005.01.029

Bordone, L., & Guarente, L. (2005, April). Calorie restriction, SIRT1 and metabolism:

Understanding longevity. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology.

https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm1616

Fontana, L., & Klein, S. (2007, March 7). Aging, adiposity, and calorie restriction. Journal of

the American Medical Association. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.297.9.986

Most, J., Tosti, V., Redman, L. M., & Fontana, L. (2017, October 1). Calorie restriction in

humans: An update. Ageing Research Reviews. Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2016.08.005