Our genes are used to famine because our ancestors didn't always have food. Are we healthier when we eat less?

Answer 1

it's be proven that you'll live longer if you eat less, I don't know about healthier. I suppose if your malnourished, then no.

Answer 2

If you eat less your descendants will be shorter. Famine makes shorter people who need less food. But back to your question. We are healthier if we eat less is true in general because most of us eat too much.

Answer 3

We are not healthier when we eat less, but, surprisingly, eating less does increase lifespan in almost all mammals. When a mammal eats less, its cells don't commit suicide as early in life. Nobody knows why this is. This cellular suicide (called senescence) is responsible for death by "old age".

In fact, the "aging problem", as it is known, is probably the most fundamental outstanding problem in biology today. You can read more about it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution_of_ageing

PS: Eating less cannot alter your DNA. It will not cause your children to be short, unless the children are malnourished themselves.

Answer 4

Yes! I just watched a show last night about that, they have found in elegant worms and insects that if they eat less they live up to 50% longer and it's looking good for mice as well. They think the same will be true for humans! If we walk around just a bit hungry all the time, it will make us live longer.

Answer 5

Yes. Eating about 75% of what you "feel" like eating is accociated with a longer life. However, the effects are not all that great, the less and less you eat does not corrilate to a longer and longer life.

Answer 6

that statement isn't true. your genes are not "used to" famine. you may be born with a high or low metabolism, but it is not necessarily related to your ancestors. it can vary greatly within a family.