The Longevity Diet

This is a book recommended by my nutrition professor written by the widow of the great gerontologist Roy Walford. The gist of the longevity diet is this; All animals so far tested if raised on a CR (calorie restricted) diet seem to have a lower probability of succumbing to the normal diseases and metabolic failures of organisms on a normal non-CR diet. This has yet to be proven in humans because the study(now being conducted by the Calorie Restriction Society)will take over 100 years to complete. If trends and comparisons can be made interspecies-wise humans on a CR diet could live to be 150-60 years before passing. Not only that but the muscles organs and tissues will sustain a more youthful vitality including fertility well beyond normal limits.
The catch, you must relearn your relationship with food. Eat less than you would normally metabolize and train your cells to get by with less energy but a rich nutrient plant based diet that limits total caloric intake while maintaining the minimum amounts of fats and carbohydrates while sustaining a slightly higher amino acid consumption mainly by eating whole foods.
I have done retreats where the diet is limited to raw whole foods and little spices. It helps to bring about a calmer more peaceful less reactive state of being. I think this was mentioned as a benefit of the discipline. Longevity without the needed vitality and energy is not a blessing as Medicine has "extended" the lifespan by artficially extending the life of organs with anti-inflammatory drugs. These effects can come from the CR diet alone.
Of course stress can shorten our lives by actually shortening the telomers in our genes and too much caloric restriction can be dangerous.Rigorous medical monitoring of blood levels and cardio-fitness in the initial 2-3 years is critical.
The Longevity Diet:Discover Calorie Restriction---The only proven way to slow the aging process and maintain Peak Vitality Brian M. Delaney and Lisa Walford authors.Marlowe & Company 2004