Caloric Restriction is a Win Win!

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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — High-protein, low carb. Eating six small meals a day. Atkins, paleo, weight watchers. Losing weight is hard enough, but the number of eating methods on the market is enough to make your head spin. Now, new research into caloric restriction at Temple University has some interesting results.

Jean-Pierre Issa, MD, Professor of Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University conducts research into caloric restriction and its impact on mice. He is focused on the long-term effects on stem cells.

Dr. Issa explained, “So if our stem cells remain healthier, then they are more available to repair tissues, to fix injuries, to fix heart attacks, and to live longer.”

Calorically restricted mice, at least some of them, not only live longer but show fewer signs of aging.

“In mice, you can look at their fur, look at their hair. As in humans, it changes color with age, but in mice that are calorie-restricted, it retains a youthful appearance. The calorie restriction seemed to somehow promote the health of cells and keep their cellular identity intact,” continued Dr. Issa.

Katie Myles says her life dramatically improved after following a calorie-restrictive diet to lose more than 29 pounds. As she keeps the weight off, her energy is much higher and she doesn’t miss the calories at all.

Myles shared, “I was listed to take 2,000 calories a day. And as I calculate that now, I noticed yesterday, I had 800 and some calories and I still felt full.”

Katie journaled during her weight loss journey about her food intake. What does she suggest to others about calorie restriction?

“Please embark on a change. Because when we realize that all of the carbohydrates and all of the calories that we take in, if we don’t burn it, we’re going to store it and it’s going to make it more difficult for our body to be agile and to be able to walk around and do the things we need to do,” said Myles.

Fewer calories means less weight and lower blood sugar. Healthier stem cells delay aging. It’s a win win!

Dr. Issa says stem cells impact the length of our lives, but inevitably over a period of time begin to fail. In other words, life still doesn’t last forever, caloric restriction or not.

Contributors to this news report include: Donna Parker, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor and Kirk Mason, Videographer.

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CALORIC RESTRICTION IS A WIN WIN!
REPORT #2502

 

BACKGROUND:  Today, scientists are still learning and rediscovering about how best to eat for health. In the United States, dietary choices are made more complicated by the unprecedented variety of products on supermarket shelves. The causes of chronic, diet-related diseases are not fully understood, but scientific evidence gives us clues. Factors such as diet, physical activity levels, genetics, exposure to chemicals in the environment, and even the types of microorganisms living in our guts are thought to play a role. The average American consumes more added sugars, refined grains, saturated fats, and sodium than are recommended by dietary guidelines. While Americans are the second highest per capita consumers of meat in the world, their intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains remains well below recommended levels. In many respects, American diets have gotten worse over recent decades. Between 1970 and 2000, the average number of daily calories per capita increased by over 500, which is the equivalent of adding a quarter-pound cheeseburger, 365 days a year, to the diet of every American citizen.

(Source: http://www.foodsystemprimer.org/food-and-nutrition/diet-and-health/index.html)

EATING FOR HEATLH: Nutritionists generally recommend limiting intake of unhealthy fats, added sugars, red and processed meats, refined grains, and sodium. Eating for health means enjoying an abundance of health-promoting foods like fruits, vegetables, and legumes that are nutrient-dense. They provide a generous amount of vitamins, minerals, and fiber relative to the amount of calories. Nutrient-dense foods tend to take up more space in the stomach, sending signals to the brain that tell us we’ve eaten enough, in contrast to chips, cookies, soda, and other nutrient-poor items that provide a large amount of calories but little or no nutritional value. These foods encourage overeating because they are not very filling. Healthy fats, found in foods like nuts and avocados, play important health-promoting roles. Also, plant-based foods contain compounds called phytonutrients. Studies of certain phytonutrients suggest they may offer numerous health benefits, including improved eye, bone, heart, and brain health, immune system support, improved athletic performance, and lower risks of certain diet-related diseases. There are over 20,000 known phytonutrients in edible plants. Scientists have only begun to explore their potential.

(Source: http://www.foodsystemprimer.org/food-and-nutrition/diet-and-health/index.html)

NEW RESEARCH FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: A new study shows that type 2 diabetes can be reversed following an intensive weight management program, according to a randomized trial in adults who have had the condition for up to 6 years. Almost half of participants achieved and maintained diabetes remission at one year without antidiabetic medications. “Our findings suggest that even if you have had type 2 diabetes for 6 years, putting the disease into remission is feasible,” says Professor Michael Lean from the University of Glasgow who co-led the study. “In contrast to other approaches, we focus on the need for long-term maintenance of weight loss through diet and exercise and encourage flexibility to optimize individual results.” Previous research by the same team confirmed the ‘Twin Cycle Hypothesis’ that type 2 diabetes is caused by excess fat within the liver and pancreas. They established that people with the disease can be returned to normal glucose control by consuming a very low calorie diet. But, whether this type of intensive weight management is practicable and can achieve remission of type 2 diabetes in routine primary care was not known until now.

(Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171205091651.htm)

* For More Information, Contact:

Jeremy Walter, Director of Media Relations

Temple Health Communications

Jeremy.Walter@tuhs.temple.edu

215-707-7882