Anti Aging: Let Food Be Thy Medicine

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Anti Aging: Let Food by Thy Medicine

 

 

 

http://www.healthy.net/scr/Article.asp?Id=213

 

© Emily Kane N.D. , American Association of Naturopathic Physicians

 

 

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Old age is a consequence of civilization; it is seen seldom in

primitive societies and very rarely seen in wild animals. Although in

this century the average life span of women and men has increased by

30% since the onset of industrialization and by over 300% since

Neolithic times, we don't exactly know how or why aging occurs. We do

know that aging is a function of cells ceasing to divide. Some

scientists speculate that any given differentiated cell can only

divide a fixed number of times (as opposed to a cancer cell, which is

undifferentiated, and theoretically immortal in that it continues,

unchecked, to divide). The human body has more than 10 million,

million (that's 13 zeroes) cells, all of which are differentiated

into nerve, muscle, adipose, etc., and are thus mortal. Given that we

all die at some point, the objective now is to maximize the QUALITY

of our lives and avoid controllable causes for premature death.

 

Many of the precautions against premature death are well known: wear

seat belts; eat a low fat, high fiber, high complex- carbohydrate

diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables; get regular,

moderate, exercise; get enough sleep; love yourself and your friends;

do work that makes you happy; don't do drugs. It is worth repeating

the low fat part: low fat. To quote from an editorial published in

1991 in the New England Journal of Medicine, " the optimal intake of

cholesterol is probably zero, meaning the avoidance of animal

products... Most recommendations suggest that total saturated fats be

reduced to about 10% of energy intake, but the optimal level may well

be much lower... " Wow! Radical! The American Heart Association still

recommends " cutting back " to 30% which is three times the amount

eaten by societies with the lowest incidence of cardiovascular

disease.

 

The causes for premature aging are somewhat more obscure, but the

very bottom line for optimizing longevity seems to be EAT LESS, and

stay active. Three communities whose populations seem to enjoy

exceptionally long lives are 1) the village of Vilcabamba high in the

Andes of Ecuador, 2) the Hunza, a small territory in the Himalayas of

Pakistan and 3) the Georgian province in the Caucasus Mountains of

the USSR. Diets in these communities are low to moderate in calories,

and the primary source of calories for all three groups is complex

carbohydrates, suggesting a generous intake of fiber.

 

Classic studies were done by McCay and coworkers in the 1930's with

animal models that definitively proved calorie restriction increases

life span. The mechanism may be via retardation of the development of

degenerative diseases. Animals consuming high protein early in life

and low protein with moderate calories thereafter had the longest

life spans. It is also documented that food restriction also delays

the appearance of lesions in infectious diseases. Obviously we are

not talking starvation, which is extremely detrimental to health.

However, once we reach a mature size it is appropriate to consider

reducing total caloric intake as a way to spare our bodies the wear

and tear of metabolism: digesting,assimilating and storing the amino

acid, sugar and fat fractions of the food we eat. Juicing is an

excellent way to consume high quality, partially pre-metabolized

nutrients.

 

Given the general trend in soil mineral depletion with the advent of

mechanized farming and pesticide use, it may well be advisable to

take a basic vitamin/mineral supplement. It is especially important

for vegetarians to supplement B12. All of us will benefit from

consuming antioxidants (which protect against excessive free radical

damage) such as the fat-soluble vitamins A, E, and C; and the

micronutrients zinc and selenium -- both co- factors in enzymes which

break down by-products of peroxidation (cellular oxygen damage). All

of the above (except B12) may be automatically accomplished by a diet

rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Organic produce is preferable,

especially for root crops such as carrots, onions and potatoes, which

sit in the soil to grow. Avoid all forms of animal fat (there's just

nothing good about it) except fresh fish oil, which has been shown to

significantly reduce inflammation and the damage incurred by tissue

irritation.

 

Since we're going to be eating less, it makes sense to ingest

calories of the highest possible quality; that we minimize " empty "

calories found in fast foods, processed foods and " junk " foods. It is

easy to " fast " for 12 hours each day by not eating late at night. And

don't be afraid to " breakfast " with a salad or freshly pressed juice!