Eat Less and Live Longer

The Ultimate Longevity Secrets Discovered at Last?

According to this fascinating video segment aired recently on Nova, only one in 10,000 of us will live to see 100. But scientists are working on finding ways to increase that number. Researchers found cutting the food intake of just about any organism by up to 30-40 percent extended its life by as much as 60 percent. Calorie restriction reduces insulin levels and triggers the production of sirtuins, which are produced as part of an intricate stress response that kicks an organism into survival mode (which beefs up DNA repair and prevents cells from dying). Another variable that triggered the production of sirtuins and the longer lives of flies, worms and likely mice was increasing their intake of the antioxidant resveratrol.

Nova Science Now January 9, 2007

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

When I first read of one of the primary active ingredients in grape seeds and skins, resveratrol, I was very excited. However, the research on it can be a bit confusing, which is why I was so delighted to find this excellent video that breaks the research down into simple language. If you have any interest in extending your lifespan you will want to watch this video that reviews one of the major Harvard researchers performing much of the pioneering work in the field. Calorie restriction, if you limit your foods to those that will not raise your insulin levels, will also tend to increase your lifespan. That means lowering grains and sugars, the foundation of my Total Health Program. However, while effective, this is not at all a very satisfying way to live your life, in constant deprivation. Most would never tolerate this. However, resveratrol can provide nearly identical benefits without the pain by activating the same genes as calorie restriction. You can obtain reservatrol from natural sources such as whole grape skins and seeds. Resveratrol is also found in raspberries, mulberries and peanuts, and is known to have a number of beneficial health effects, including fighting cancer. It belongs to a family of compounds known as polyphenols, which are known to combat damaging free radicals in the body. Although reservatrol is in grapes you wlll still want to stay away from red wine as your primary source for resveratrol. Not only does the alcohol contained in red wine have the potential to disrupt your delicate hormonal balance, it is a neurotoxin that can poison your brain. On Vital Votes, Russ from Soquel, California offers up some anecdotal evidence: "I have a grandmother who is 97, soon to be 98, and very likely to reach 100 (or well beyond) and in perfect mental health, with her only complaint physically being a sore knee. "Curiously, but not surprisingly, in relation to this article's suggestions, her entire life has indeed been one of no consumption of tobacco products, no alcoholic beverages, and a restricted calorie intake, of 1,500 calories or less per day, of simple and unprocessed food sources, low, or void, in any refined or processed sweeteners. "She also has a remarkable ability to adjust to any stress, with a very positive outlook, as she has clearly out lived all her contemporary relatives and friends, and adjusted well to everyone being much younger that her." Other responses to this article can be viewed at Vital Votes, and you can add your own thoughts or vote on comments by first registering at Vital Votes.

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