Diet and Life Span

Abstract

The data derived from experiments concerning dietary effects on life span allow the following conclusions regarding the problem of growth and longevity. Retardation of growth as such does not seem to contribute materially to the shortening of the life span. On the other hand duration of life is probably influenced more conspicuously by conditions to which the effect on growth is incidental and which prevail also when growth has passed its most active phase. This agrees with the concept that growth and longevity are not mutually interdependent but are co-ordinated phenomena governed by the same metabolic principles.