Calorie Restriction An Approach towards Obesity Management

Abstract

Obesity is increasing worldwide and has become a public health concern due to associated degenerative diseases and morbidity. Even though overweight and obesity are not life threatening, they qualify themselves as a disease entity. The bulk of literature on obesity says that the external environment largely influences the increase in food intake and is termed scientifically as "obesogenic environment". A "dual approach" that uses both traditional and holistic health can be used to curb this rising trend. Dietary approaches like low calorie diets and increased physical activity are recommended for weight management and prevention of diseases. A number of studies indicate that there is an increased interest in enhancing the use of herbs, bioactive components of foods, traditional diets; owing to their wide spectrum of therapeutic properties for obesity and for the armed forces personnel (under the hypocaloric rations in the field). Therefore, taking the existing scenario of obesity into consideration and the protective role of calorie restriction, this paper provides an insight into the highly convoluted process of dietary restriction and highlights the implications of hypocaloric diets.

Hints for Therapeutic Interventions Through Exploring the Effects of Calorie Restriction on NAFLD by Mechanistic Approach

“…Calorie restriction [10] is the major form of dietary restriction, and means reducing calorie intake by about 15-40% while maintaining sufficient amounts of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals [11][12][13] . For the first time in 1913, Osborne et al reported that decreasing food intake in rats resulted in an increased lifespan [14] .…”

“…For the first time in 1913, Osborne et al reported that decreasing food intake in rats resulted in an increased lifespan [14] . Since then, much money and effort have been dedicated to these kind of studies, with the majority suggesting that calorie restriction is the most robust form of intervention, one which can extend lifespan and reduce ageassociated diseases [12,15,16] . According to the US Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of NAFLD and other scientific societies interventions which lead to weight loss, either by hypocaloric diet alone or in conjugation with physical activity, can reduce hepatic steatosis [17][18][19] .…”

Lutein supplementation combined with a low-calorie diet in middle-aged obese individuals: effects on anthropometric indices, body composition and metabolic parameters

“…At the same time, the management of overweight and obesity is considered a major modifiable intervention in the prevention of CVD as the leading cause of death worldwide (3) . A common interventional approach to combat obesity and associated metabolic disorders is energy restriction (4) . Nevertheless, weight reduction during energy restriction alone is associated with the remarkable decrease in fat free mass (FFM), energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and satiety, all lead to increased risk of weight regain and metabolic disorders (5,6) .…”

Protein restriction, epigenetic diet, intermittent fasting as new approaches for preventing age-associated diseases

“…A CR regimen is generally carried out through the reduction of calorie intake by up to 20%–40% of ad libitum (AL), whereas adequate nutrient intake is maintained. [ 1 2 ]…”

“…Thereby, fewer cases of heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes were reported. [ 1 ] Furthermore, the incidence of cancer was lower than expected among Norwegian women who went through puberty during the food shortages of World War II. [ 10 ]…”