A Story of a Small Hunger Strike

We often hear from different weight loss experts that the best way to reduce one’s weight is by minimizing the calorie intake. Furthermore, a new research recently emerged. Some specialists state that the less we eat, the longer we live. For example, let’s take the story of Okinawa Island in Japan, where there are more 85-year-olds per capita than anywhere else in the world. Back in the 60s and 70s, residents of Okinawa consumed 20-40 percent fewer calories than the rest of the Japanese population. Despite having roughly the same set of genes, they lived longer than then rest of people in Japan. Moreover, they were 40 percent less likely to have cancer or cardiovascular disease. The data derives from the study which was conducted in 2006.

Multiple studies have revealed that lower calorie intake prolongs human’s life. There is also proof that eating fewer calories can improve insulin concentration, glucose “fasting”, and other biomarkers associated with longevity. As a matter of fact, there are several hypotheses (confirmed by animal trials) about how fewer calories consumed can increase life expectancy. One of the most powerful theories — and one that does not have much to do with weight loss — is the hypothesis of oxidative damage to the human body, which occurs when it breaks down carbohydrates or proteins. This process has a direct effect on the body aging. Consuming less calories impacts the functioning of mitochondria of the cells. Mitochondria is basically the energy station of the cells, including the ones that are responsible for transforming the food we eat into energy. So based on how often you eat, or more precisely, how often you do NOT eat, can be just as vital as the number of calories you consume. This can be a dependent factor which can determine how long you will live (obviously, considering your genetic predisposition).

Currently, there is a 2014 study exists which covers topics such as frequency of meals (and snacks) as well as abstinence from food. Our usual habit of having three meals and one snack is considered abnormal in terms of the concept of human evolution. Animals now and people “then” never ate this way. Having periods without any food during the day can generally extend a person’s life. Abstaining from food for 16 hours a day can help get rid of various diseases and improve one’s health condition overall. Once, there was an experiment, where mice consumed all their calories throughout 8-9 hours. They lost 12% in weight, and the indicators of “bad” cholesterol improved, while inflammatory processes disappeared. They were then compared to another group of mice that ate whenever they wanted throughout 24 hours. The researchers claim that such meal plan is created for healthy and non-elderly individuals. How such diet affects unhealthy people is unknown. There is a possibility that physicians might prescribe daily fasting to their patients once or even twice a week.

Scientists state that it is much more harmful to eat according to the system of fewer calories rather than consuming food in intervals. Our body should receive calories in accordance with our lifestyle.

© Masha Lopatova