Fifty percent restriction is not recommended for humans. If we knew the mechanism, perhaps we could achieve the same results by an easier method than restricting food intake. One thing is certain. The effect is only related to calories. As long as essential nutrients are present, the relative amounts of protein, carbohydrate, and fat make no difference.
Life is extended and health is enhanced.
Beyond that simple fact, we have an embarrassment of possibilities. Delays age-related immunological decline as shown by virtually all immune functional tests. This response allows animals, faced by episodic periods of food shortage in the wild, to shift more of their metabolic energy into maintenance and repair, and so outlive or survive the period of deprivation. It may be 10 to 12 years before we have unequivocal results. For more information about the calorie restricted diet and Roy Walford, visit his Web site .