CRON (Caloric Restriction with Optimal Nutrition)

CRON is a structured form of caloric restriction in which energy intake is reduced by roughly 20–30% while micronutrient density (vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, protein quality) is deliberately maximized. The approach was developed by Roy Walford (with Lisa Walford, and later Brian M. Delaney as a popularizer and CR Society co-founder), with The Anti-Aging Plan (1994) by Roy and Lisa Walford as a key reference. The aim is to capture metabolic benefits—improved insulin sensitivity, lower inflammation, favorable lipids—without inducing nutrient deficiencies.