[tapp]

> I seem to recall some crackpot theory that low-calorie diets increase your lifespan

Not sure the 'crackpot theory' pejorative is appropriate. Calorie restriction (with adequate nutrition) has been documented to increase both median and maximum lifespan across a number of species. I believe primate studies are in progress now.

I agree that perpetually hungry (and cold) sounds like an unpleasant way to go through life, but that doesn't make the adherents crackpots.

[_grrr]

Calorie restricted diets are known to increase the lifespan of rats by up to 20%. In Japan there is even a philosophy around this: "Hara Hachi Bu – eat until you are 80% full" http://fooddemocracy.wordpress.com/2009/06/07/hara-hachi-bu-...