A very low-calorie diet can help the heart age more slowly,according to researchers who released what they called the first ever human study on the subject.The study looked at the heart function of 25 members of the Caloric Restriction Society ,ages 41 to 64 ,who consume, 1,400 to 2,000 nutritionally balanced calories per day. They were compared with 25 people who eat a typical Western diet, consuming 2,000 to 3,000 calories daily.The result:Those limiting caloric intake had the heart functions of much younger people-typically about 15 years younger than their age.Ultrasound exams showed group members had hearts that appeared more elastic than most people their age, their hearts were also able to relax between beats in a way similar to hearts in younger people.
Luigi Fontana ,lead author and assistant professor of medicine at Fontana said "This is the first study to demonstrate that long term calorie restriction can delay or reverse declines in heart function."Fontana further said simply consuming less food is not the answer .Members of the study group eat food resembling a traditional Mediterranean diet,focusing on vegetables,olive oil, beans, whole grains,fish and fruit.They avoid refined and processed foods,soft drinks, desserts,white bread and other sources of "empty" calories.For the general public,the researchers recommend a moderate reduction in calories,combined with moderate,regular exercise. |
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| Posted : 1/14/2006 |
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