It has now been confirmed that humans as well as animals experience a
lot of health benefits from a restricted calorie intake.
When I have confirmed with my doctor that it is safe for me to do so,
I would like to modify my eating habits toward adopting this diet.
Can you please tell me, based on the fact that I am female, aged 55,
weight 78 kg and height 5 foot 8 inches tall, how many calories I
should aim for?
More information about the latest findings is below. Thank you.
Low-calorie diet has protective effect
From AFP
April 21, 2004
SEVERELY restricting calorie consumption can drastically reduce the
risk of developing diabetes, a heart attack or a stroke, according to
a study published Monday.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis,
Missouri, found that the people in their 50s or 60s who adopted a
low-calorie diet experienced the same risks as people who were decades
younger.
"It's very clear from these findings that calorie restriction has a
powerful, protective effect against diseases associated with aging,"
said John Holloszy, a professor of medicine who led the study
published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"We don't know how long each individual actually will end up living,
but they certainly have a much longer life expectancy than average
because they're most likely not going to die from a heart attack,
stroke or diabetes," Holloszy said.
Eighteen people ages 35 to 82 who participated in the study were under
a low-calorie diet for three to 15 years. They were compared to a
similar group of 18 people who had a typical "Western" diet.
The low-calorie diet group consumed 1,100 to 1,950 calories per day,
depending on individuals' height, weight and gender. Of the calories,
26 per cent consisted of protein, 28 per cent fat and 46 per cent
complex carbohydrates.
The Western diet group ate between 1,975 and 3,550 calories a day, and
consisted of 18 percent protein, 32 percent fat and 50 percent
carbohydrates, including starches. |
Clarification of Question by
karon-ga
on
23 Apr 2004 00:59 PDT
Hi czh-ga
Thank you for looking at my question. In the hypothetical case of my
embarking on this eating regime, I would mimic the proportions of fat,
carbs & protein in the study (Of the calories, 26 per cent consisted
of protein, 28 per cent fat and 46 per cent complex carbohydrates).
I'm pretty knowledgable about good nutrition so don't need more in
that area, but still would like the information as to the exact
target calories I would have been subjected to in the study.
PS I'm actually five feet, eight and a half inches tall.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
czh-ga
on
23 Apr 2004 19:03 PDT
Hello again karon-ga,
I?ve continued my research on your question and found lots of
information about the Calorie Restricted diet and lifestyle. One of
the interesting discoveries I?ve made is that none of the proponents
of this diet suggests a targeted calorie intake level based on age,
height and weight. The key concept is to reduce your calorie intake as
much as possible without lowering your required nutrient consumption.
All of the articles I?ve found insist that you must adjust to this
diet very slowly and let your body get used to it. I can provide you
with lots of resources on how to do this.
I managed to find one article with an anecdotal example that matches
your physical characteristics. You might use this as a real-life
illustration of how the diet works.
http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/82/97220.htm?z=1757_00000_8200_tf_01
The underlying premise of calorie restriction, according to the
Calorie Restriction Society web site, is, "to eat fewer calories,
while not consuming fewer vitamins, minerals, and other components of
a healthy diet, and by doing so achieve a longer and healthier life."
The bottom line? The average male in the U.S. consumes about 2,745
calories every day, and the average female 1,833 calories, according
to the CDC. A calorie-restricted diet, depending on how severe a
person wants to practice, takes that number and, over time, reduces it
by more than one-third.
In 2000, Dean Pomerleau, at 35 years old, 5 feet 8 inches and 172
pounds, described himself as pretty typical.
Four years later and 51 pounds lighter, Pomerleau practices a rigid
form of calorie restriction that balances lower calorie intake with
proper nutrition.
"I eat the same thing twice a day, seven days a week, 365 days a
year," says Pomerleau, of his diet of 1,200 calories a day. "It's a
lot of veggies with olive oil-based salad dressing, a lot of mixed
fruits, almonds and hazelnuts, and flaxseed oil for omega-3 fatty
acids."
Please let me know if the detailed (but general) information I?ve
found about this diet will meet your needs.
I look forward to your further clarification.
~ czh ~
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