Calorie Restriction has been proven over many decades of research to be an effective means for increasing longevity. However, a person would need to consume about 25-40% fewer calories than a “normal” diet, and most people are unable or unwilling to live with the near-starvation of this regimen. In addition, the longevity benefits can be completely negated unless extreme care is taken to make sure the diet is balanced and complete. Calorie restriction has been found to activate the SIRT genes, as a means to survival. The activation of these genes slows down the aging process, and forestalls many of the diseases associated with aging.

The excitement over Resveratrol (and other polyphenols) revolves around the discovery that it activates exactly the same genes in exactly the same way as severe calorie restriction.