How Not to Get Older

Last night on the Charlie Rose show, a panel of scientists were talking about new basic research on the aging process.

The short of it is, they've discovered certain genes that regulate the aging process. Apparently they're basically the same set of genes in all living things. One scientist at the University of Wisconsin has studied a group of rhesus monkeys since 1989. The study is pretty simple: The control group of monkeys eat a regular diet. The test group of monkeys are fed a diet in which calories are reduced 30 percent.

They've discovered over the years that the monkeys who have had their calories restricted are healthier and are showing fewer signs of aging.

Now, why would that be? The answer is also pretty simple and quite logical:

From an evolutionary standpoint, the idea is that, when food is scarce, animals' bodies (controlled by their genes) go into a kind of protective "standby" mode. They don't age as fast and they conserve all the energy they can. This allows them to stay alive until food is more plentiful and they have enough energy to breed and raise their young.

It makes perfect sense that these kinds of "conservation, anti-aging" genes would be selected in all kinds of creatures, because all animals have to deal with privation from time to time.

So ... controlling what you eat really is the secret to staying young and healthy longer. (Exercise helps too, of course.)