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Exercise: The Sensible Fountain Of Youth

Scientists have known for seven decades that calorie restriction will extend life. Calorie restriction (CR) is purportedly the only scientifically replicated method for extending life. In this article, we will maintain that exercise, coupled with balanced nutrition, is as effective in extending human life as is CR and overwhelmingly more sensible.

The Biomechanics of Calorie Restriction

To understand why we maintain that exercise is the sensible alternative to CR, we need to know a little more about what is involved in calorie restriction and how it can extend life.

While a definitive answer about the precise bio-mechanics involved in the life extending properties of CR is still forthcoming, recent cellular research has shown that it is has to do with mitochondria. Cajole the memory a bit and recall from biology classes that the mitochondria are the cell's energy generators. Specialized structures found within the cells of you body, mitochondria, among other activities, are responsible for converting food to energy. Happy, healthy and strong mitochondria provide sufficient energy for cells to flourish. When mitochondria lose energy and weaken, cell death increases. Recent studies by researchers from Harvard Medical School suggest that the stress of CR on an organism triggers the production of a molecule within the mitochondria that results in increased strength and energy for the mitochondria. Consequently, cell death is reduced. It is not insignificant that CR has also been found to decrease the conversion of glucose into energy and increase the metabolism of fatty acids.

Laboratory experiments with CR have been impressive. CR has repeatedly been shown to extend the life of yeast, roundworms and rats by as much as fifty percent. Since humans have a gene similar to the gene in rats responsible for life-extending qualities under the stress of CR, why would not humans enjoy the same benefits?

The Impractical Side of Calorie Restriction

The question of whether or not calorie restriction will yield similar results as that found in rats aside, the more appropriate question is whether or not, in any case, it is practical for humans.

As it turns out, the calorie restriction that produced the impressive results in rats was so severe that the reproductive systems of the rats completely shut down. Whether or not the reproductive system was shut down voluntarily or simply failed for a lack of nutrients is perhaps open to debate. One could

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