Q: I recently bought your book and have almost completed reading it.  I recognize all the benefits that are attributed to The CR Way, however, I am wondering how to apply the lifestyle to an athlete’s life.  I am a weightlifting enthusiast and my wife runs 7 to 9 km three times a week.

A: Thank you for your interest in The CR Way and how it can help you. Your great question provides us the opportunity to recommend The CR Way exactly as we intended: Use it to customize a healthy lifestyle that works for you.

We do not think it wise to combine severe calorie restriction with intense exercise. Doing both simultaneously may be stressful to the immune system. Even intense exercise alone, such as the 7 to 9 km run your wife enjoys, may challenge the immune system.

So we think one way for the two of you to benefit from The CR Way is to consider its many suggestions for immune system boosting and cancer prevention. Not that either of you has cancer, but selecting food from the “Foods to Choose” chapter will provide you with beneficial phytochemicals and nutrients that could benefit your health overall and fortify your immune system. Try the recipes in chapter 10 for suggestions on fun, good-tasting and easy-to-fix food combinations.

Chapter 4, “Glucose Control:  the Sweet Spot in Longevity,” provides important ideas about controlling blood sugar levels. The accumulation of biological garbage appropriately known as AGE (advanced-glycation end-products) is wise for everyone to avoid. Simply avoid foods with high levels of AGE and consider the lower-risk food preparation methods to reduce your AGE exposure.

Also look at the chapter on “Healthy Heart” for ideas about achieving optimal cardiovascular function, which is essential for top performance in any sport. Consider the advice on omega-3 intake, which will boost immunity, promote heart health, and even increase brain power.

As you probably have experienced – long, restful sleep substantially improves muscle repair as well as performance. Look over the sleep strategies in Chapter 5, “Mind Matters” for some suggestions on improving the quality of your sleep.

One last suggestion, if either of you decides to limit calories, start with a minimal calorie reduction. Human and animal studies that have combined exercise and moderate CR have shown positive results.