Calorie restriction may aid in controlling asthma and other diseases, as well.

Calorie restriction has been used for over a century to treat a variety of illnesses as well as to improve overall health and extend lifespan.

There is controversy over the efficacy of such practice, however, there are those who swear by it’s benefits.

Scientists are exploring caloric restriction as a way to treat a host of conditions — including asthma, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and spinal cord injury — and so far, findings suggest a benefit. In addition, caloric restriction may have a role in preventing Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, said Mark Mattson, a neuroscientist at the National Institute on Aging in Baltimore.

A slow metabolism may not be the worst thing for your health.

A fast metabolism may be credited for keeping you slim but it may also be responsible for speeding up the aging process.

A review published in the Journal of Nutrition evaluated studies on daily energy expenditure, calorie restriction, and variations in metabolism and lifespan. Researchers discovered a strong negative relationship between residual longevity and residual daily energy expenditure. Higher daily energy expenditure in this review was associated with a shorter lifespan. As we metabolize food for energy, metabolic waste is produced that can cause free radical damage to the body. The higher the metabolism, the greater the metabolic waste produced. This scenario can lead to increased oxidative damage, accelerated aging and earlier natural mortality.

Could calorie restriction help you live a longer healthier life?

There is some research on mammals to suggest that less food promotes a longer life, puts less stress on the digestive system and limits the amount of free radicals produced in digestion.

Recent research from Washington University scientists found that people who slashed their calorie intake have lower core body temperatures than those who eat more. Core body temperature is the temperature at which all of the functions in the body can operate at maximum efficiency, so the link looks like a positive one, according to some researchers.