The Effect of an Ad Libitum Diet on General Health
 
The effects of dietary restriction are considered phylogenetically
independent, meaning their effects are NOT specific to any single genus
or order, but apply to ALL mammals regardless of species.  That is not
to say differences do not exist in the exact degree of expression, or in
the quality of that expression.  Such differences are attributed to the
evolutionary history of the species, so the EXACT expression of an Ad
Libitum diet will be different for a human compared to a ferret.  For
example, the expression of carbohydrate over-nutrition in humans might
be expressed as diabetes, while the impact in ferrets might be seen as
insulinoma.  Does this difference mean ferrets are not subject to the
negative effects of an Ad Libitum diet?  Of course not!  All it means is
that ferrets and humans have different evolutionary histories, especially
when it comes to diet, so while carbohydrate over-nutrition might effect
the pancreas of both species, the exact expression is subject to the
unique history of the individual.  The important point of consideration
is that carbohydrate over-nutrition impacts the pancreas negatively.
 
Consuming an Ad Libitum diet has been shown to have the following general
effects:
1) Shortened life span.
2) Increased number and more rapid growth of tumors and cancers.
3) Increased susceptibility towards gastrointestinal ailments, including
   megaesophagus, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and a variety of intestinal
   problems.
4) Increased autoimmunity problems, while at the same time
   decreased immunoresistance.
5) Faster rate of aging.
6) Diseases (bacterial AND viral) last longer and have increased impact.
7) Increased number of cataracts.
8) Increased rate of obesity.
9) Increased DNA and molecular damage from free-radicals and AGE
   compounds.
10) Adrenal and pineal hormone production rates increased (or decreased)
over normal rates.  11) Increased rates of cardiomyopathy.  There are
more, but you get the point.
 
Each health problem will be discussed in following posts.  The pattern of
influence suggests a single causative agent has little chance for
impacting so many systems.  Many people would argue that it is more
likely that viral, genetic, or other environmental agents would be
responsible.  There is NO doubt that they are correct in that many of
these problems are caused by things other than consuming an Ad Libitum
diet.  However, they fail to recognize are two important things.  In most
cases, those areas where dietary restriction has the most benefits are
general problems that are considered "diseases of old age," including
cataracts, adrenal disease, insulinoma, and organ deterioration.  This is
because dietary restriction tends to retard the ageing process.  Second,
REGARDLESS of causative agent, an Ad Libitum diet exacerbates existing
problems, so dietary restriction prevents, slows, halts, or minimizes
problems, but it rarely cures them.  In other words, dietary restriction
may prevent the start of cancer, but once it starts, DR will only slow
its spread, not cure it.  DR acts like a prophylactic in that it prevents
rather than cures health problems.
 
Dietary restriction is nutrient dependent.  Restricting proteins, fats,
or trace elements has little or no effect; what specifically works is the
reduction of caloric energy, especially the exclusion of starches and
sugars (simple and complex carbohydrates).  Caloric energy reduction
produces the many beneficial effects when turning away from the Ad
Libitum diet.  That is why caloric restriction is often called
"dietary restriction WITHOUT malnutrition."
 
Bob C
[Posted in FML issue 3983]