Hormesis of exercise and calorie restriction: health and longevity

Abstract

Hormesis is a favorable action on health of a small dose of the factor causing damage in a bigger dose. This is one of the manners of the evolution of nature. Mechanisms of action of physical activities and calorie restriction on health are similar in many respects, though not in everything. The expenditure of intermediate metabolism products by physical work or by a lack of these products in poor food is equally create a negative energy balance, an oxidative stress. Depending on quantitative magnitude, the biological meaning of an oxidative stress changes from the normal level, necessary for life, through the level which damages cells in various degrees and to the level of apoptosis and necrosis. Oxidative stress is the immediate cause of cell damage and death in many widespread diseases: atherosclerosis, idiopathic hypertension, diabetes, cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, depression, neurodegenerative diseases, dementia, sarcopenia. During millions of years of evolution, the movement and desire to eat were developed comprehensively as hunger is the main reason that makes animals move. Excellent development of wild life proves that there is a certain oxidative stress level developing under the movement and a lack of food to that organisms adapt. Moreover, adaptation is carried out by the remarkable evolutionary principle of hormesis: the repeating exposures increase resistance of an organism and allow to withstand further without harm impact of greater intensity. Therefore, physical activity and calorie restriction is a natural way of the prevention and treatment of previously mentioned diseases formed by evolutionary selection. It is worthy of further study and use.