While the study is yet to be completed, at the 20 year point, 80% of the calorically restricted monkeys were still alive, compared to only half of the controls.In a study of humans who restrict their calories by 10-25% relative to baseline, but supplied with adequate vitamins and minerals, similar benefits have been seen, with significantly lower blood pressure, insulin, fasting glucose, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol; and significantly higher HDL cholesterol.Three theories for why IF works: Autophagy, Mitohormesis and BDNFAutophagy (Self digestion) is a phenomenon whereby the cells degrade and digest damaged or non-essential contents within the cell membrane. During nutrient starvation, autophagy basically cleans house: it breaks down non-vital components and releases nutrients, ensuring that the vital processes can continue. How does this come about? Calorie restriction is known to dramatically lower the concentrations of insulin, IGF-1 and growth hormone. Reduced levels of these hormones in turn activates the genes and pathways for autophagy or catabolism. Basically this involves the cell producing enzymes that specifically degrade oxidized or otherwise damaged intracellular molecules.Mitohormesis is defense response, which is believed to occur within the mitchondria, the energy factory of the cell. The mitohormesis theory proposes that calorie restriction is a type of low-intensity stress that activates genes involved in defensive responses against aging processes such as oxidation. The mitohormesis concept has been demonstrated in studies of the worm Caenorhabditis elegans, which showed that limiting the amount of glucose being fed to the worm resulted in oxidative stress, to which the organism responded by adapting so as to resist further oxidative stress. This extended its lifespan.Some well-known Calorie Restriction (CR) DietsOkinawa Diet: This is a diet high in fish, rice, and yellow and green vegetables, many of them fermented. The Japanese as a whole eat fewer calories than do Americans. But the Okinawans eat even less. Compared with the average Japanese caloric intake, the Okinawa diet has:20% fewer calories25% fewer grains75% less sugar300% of level of green/yellow vegetables, especially sweet potatoessmall amounts of fish and pork, including pig organsno eggs or dairyCRON-diet (Calorie Restriction with Optimal Nutrition) was developed by Roy Walford, Lisa Walford and Brian Delaney. They advocate a plan involving three meals per day. Two of these meals are free choice recipes. The third is prepared in advanced according to recommended recipes to ensure adequate micronutrients. Meals are carefully weighed and assessed for calorie content. The CRON-diet is popular among members of the Calorie Restriction Society.Intermittent FastingA number of studies have shown that fasting for short periods of time, generally less than 2-3 days, produce many of the same health benefits as general calorie reduction, without having to reduce the average number of calories consumed per week. However, many adherents of intermittent fasting find that their average calorie intake tends to decrease voluntarily; in other words, they tend not to make up for lost time on their non-fasting days. And many people (myself included) feel that it is psychologically more tolerable to alternate fasting with the ability to eat to fullness, rather than restricting calories at every meal. In addition, there are