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Basics of the CRON Diet

CRON stands for Calorie Restriction With Optimal Nutrition. The goal of the CRON diet is longevity; calorie restriction has been shown to increase lifespan in mice. In order to avoid malnutrition, CRON dieters consume nutrient-dense foods and sometimes use supplements. The CRON diet was the inspiration of Dr. Roy Walford, who died at age 79 of Lou Gehrig's disease. His wife Lisa, and philosopher Brian Delaney form the Calorie Restriction Society.

  1. Calorie Restriction

    • CRON theorizes that humans have a "set point" weight, a level that stays relatively steady when eating normally. Dr. Walford conducted animal research on over 50 species. His findings were that a weight of 10 percent to 25 percent below the set point, achieved by calorie restriction, benefits the organism with a longer life.

      The same effects are not possible by keeping calorie intake the same and exercising more. Neither do CRON advocates advise starving; although periodic fasting can help one achieve calorie restriction. An overall decrease of 20 percent of calories is thought to provide the greatest benefits. Eating nutrient-dense foods is the CRON way of maintaining optimum nutrition while losing weight.
      CRON dieters should take approximately 1 to 2 years to reach an ideal weight. Early experiments in animals did not produce longevity; Dr. Walford attributed these poor results to rapid weight loss that stressed the organism and toxins that were released from fat cells too quickly.

    Nutrient-Dense Foods

    • The CRON diet includes lots of high-fiber vegetables, fruits, lean meats, poultry and fish, soy and egg whites. Small amounts of good fats such as avocados, nuts, and olive oil are permitted. Nutrient-dense foods, also called "nutrient super-chargers" include brewer's yeast, wheat germ, shitake mushrooms, tofu and nonfat milk. Follow the CRON diet plan by building three low-calorie meals a day around these foods, making sure to get the recommended daily allowance of all known nutrients. CRON founders suggested preparing and freezing meals ahead of time. There is software available to help in meal planning. The concepts and details of the CRON diet, while based in scientific research, are controversial. Dr. Walford's work has been expanded by other researchers, and some chimpanzee and human studies may be underway.

    Nutrients

    • Dr. Walford recommends making sure to get all these nutrients while on the CRON diet: vitamins C, E and lipoic acid, Selenium, B vitamins pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, folacin, B12, and Coenzyme Q, flavonoids, phytoestrogens, isothiocyanates, diallysulfides, carotenes, carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, SAMe, DHEA and melatonin. Although Dr. Walford's tone in his book, "The 120 Year Diet, Double Your Vital Years," is mostly skeptical of the vitamin industry, he leaves the decision to supplement up to the dieter. Dr. Walford cautions calcium/magnesium ratio should be 1:1, not 2:1 as found in many pills. Dr. Walford advises increasing the amount of gel-forming fibers in the diet. The CRON diet is a system of reducing calorie intake and monitoring nutrients based on the premise that lean, well-nourished animals, including humans, live longer.

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