calorie restriction


calorie restriction

, caloric restrictionLimiting the consumption of food to less than what an organism would eat if given free access to nutrients. In laboratory animals, esp. mice and rodents, limiting the quantity of food ingested, while maintaining adequate levels of essential nutrients, prolongs life. Calorie restriction in humans decreases body mass index, improves serum lipid levels, and lowers blood pressure (with other potentially beneficial effects), but its effect on longevity is speculative. See: calorie; Food Guide Pyramid; food requirements