You are here: Home > Diet & Health

Kilojule cutting could be key to longer life

Jessica Swavley
Friday, July 10, 2009
Getty Images
Research on rhesus monkeys shows a reduced kilojule diet could slow the ageing process
A 20-year study of monkeys in the US has found that reducing the kilojoule intake slowed the ageing process and increased their lifespan.

The Wisconsin National Primate Research Center monitored 76 rhesus monkeys — 30 since 1989, and 46 since 1994 — to study what cutting their diet by 30 percent would do to them.

Since 1989, almost 40 percent of the monkeys in the regular diet group have died of age-related diseases in comparison to only 13 percent of the kilojoule-cut monkeys.

Other differences between the groups were in the incidence of cancerous tumours and heart disease. The kilojoule-reduced group had less than half that of the monkeys who remained on their regular diet.

Another finding, the researchers announced, was that the kilojoule-reduced group retained more muscle — another element that tends to shrink with age.

Dr David Finkelstein of the National Institute on Aging in America told MSNBC that undertaking a kilojoule cut on your own could do more harm than good if the wrong nutrients are cut out.

The first reports of the effect a kilojoule-cut diet can have was in 1935, when researchers first noticed that a nutritious but kilojoule-reduced diet seemed to be a Fountain of Youth for rodents.

Your say: Do you think this research has implications for humans? Would you be prepared to cut your diet by 30 percent?

User comments
i would cut my diet by 30% if it meant i could be around longer for my children + grandchildren i would have thought anybody would i do know the less food i eat the less insulin i need it would also help anybody to lose some weight which i need to do desperately
NO, coz i have always eaten a reduced amount compared to the experts recommended calorie intake... Hopefully i will benefit, i some-times act like a cave-woman!!! not so much a monkey....
I have never ever espoused the notion that I have decended from monkeys or apes. Nor do I believe that tests on rats have anything to do with humans either. I therefore, have no idea whether or not these tests have implications for humans. We'd have to do extensive, double-blind tests on human subjects to know whether or not this applies to some or all humans. It makes for interesting reading and conversation though.
If it could be absolutely proven that by doing this I would live longer, more toned and healthier, then I certainly would!
I reckon that mostly all of us in the western world could cut our diets by 50% and have no ill effects!!!!

Write a comment
Email: *
Your email will not be shared with any third parties or published with your comment.
Nickname: *
Location: *

Subject:
*
Comment:
*
Maximum characters 1000

Comment guidelines
Avoid using:
  • Personal attacks
  • Irrelevant comments
  • HTML tags
  • Personal information
  • Offensive language
  • Text in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
See full comment guidelines
Comment guidelines X
Thank you for sharing your opinions with other users of NineMSN. People will find your comments more helpful if you include relevant information and avoid some common pitfalls.
Please note: All reviews and comments submitted are subject to moderation, NineMSN reserves the right to alter and / or remove any content that does not comply with usage guidelines.
What to include in your comment:
  • A title that briefly summarizes the opinion expressed in the comment.
  • Additional comments adding more detail.
  • Comparisons to other similar products, if this is relevant.
  • To create a new paragraph, press the Enter key twice.
What not to include:
  • Information that will quickly go out of date.
  • Comments on other comments or commenters.
  • Language that other users may find offensive.
  • comments of one sentence or less. Provide information to support your opinion.
  • Personal information like your email address or telephone number.
  • HTML coding. Tags like <b> or <i> will not be recognized.

Also in this section

Recipe Search

Tip: Try "lamb & potato" or "Low GI"
advertisement
Features
Pictures
Video
Easter bonnetBeautiful bonnets are a must at every Easter parade. Decorate your with what you've got on hand - streamers, paints, ribbons, flowers - and use your imagination. Secret swingersFrom the days of private parties where couples dropped their car keys into a bowl, partner swapping is now highly organised, with a strict set of rules. Yet breaking those rules can prove deadly. Can chewing gum give you wrinkles?We all know that discarded chewing gum can make our streets look like a dog's dinner, but have you ever thought that they may be making your face deteriorate too? Baking soda, bicarb soda, baking powder. what is the difference?Question: What is the difference between baking powder, baking soda and bicarbonate of soda? What are their different applications? Kids' birthday cakesSimple and spectacular cake recipes from our award-winning Kids' Birthday Cakes cookbook.
ww |

inspire me

Six reasons to plant a tree and how to do it

Six reasons to plant a tree and how to do itIt seems we humans are just happier with trees around us. Learn how to plant a...More >

Doggy daycare

Doggy daycareWalk into Vet HQ in Sydney and you might think it was a daycare centre, the...More >

Recipes in your inbox

Recipes in your inboxWe send you the latest recipes from the weekly straight to your inbox.
Sign up now >
ww |

topics

Handy hints(740)/ Expert advice(533)/ natural health(428)/ diet(265)/ Gardening(192)/ Books(181)/ Craft(164)/ Cleaning tips(149)/ Kids(121)/ Health(113)/ Beauty(97)

Other ninemsn businesses: iSelect RateCity
© 1997-2010 ninemsn Pty Ltd - All rights reserved