Longevity Diet

September 26th 2009   ·   0 Comments

Japan is the country with the highest life expectancy in the world (82.6 years). Several factors are considered to contribute to higher rates of life expectancy in Japan include healthy food, safety and comfort of living in Japan, and technology and adequate medical services.

From my observations, there is one interesting fact that may affect life expectancy in Japan, which is portion of their meal. Is the calorie restriction effect on their longevity?

Calorie Restriction

Calorie restriction extends life expectancy in a variety of species, from yeast, worms, flies, fish and mice. Research on the primates also showed positive results, although calorie restriction study in humans is difficult to do properly, due to ethical and methodological issues. Decrease calorie intake by 30-40% compared with the normal calorie intake on the species has been demonstrated not only extend life, but also healthier in old age. Most of diseases including cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases can be prevented.

A study conducted on people of Okinawa (southern Japan), where people have the lowest death rates from heart disease (59%), cancer (69%) or stroke (59%) compared with the national average Japanese. The average schoolgirl in Okinawa consumes 62% of the national average calorie consumption. Adults in the area, 20% calories lower than other Japanese people, with a total intake of protein and fat together. Please note, the consumption of Japanese society in general is 2000 calories, mostly carbohydrates, with intake of animal protein and vegetable as much, and the high number of fish consumption.

The mechanism of how calorie restriction can extend life expectancy is not known clearly. Several hypotheses emerge. Calorie restriction resulted in weight loss and reduction of metabolic rate, which increased the rate of metabolism affects the increased of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) that shorten life expectancy due to DNA damage. Transgenic flies that have a higher antioxidant (superoxide dismutase and catalase) have a life expectancy 30% longer associated with the low protein oxidative damage.

Calorie restrictions also directly reduce cardiovascular risk by lowering total and LDL cholesterol and reduce hypertension. In addition, calorie restriction also lowers blood sugar and insulin levels in rodent and monkey. Calorie restriction resulting in weight loss in obese patients with diabetes will lower fasting glucose levels and increased tissue insulin sensitivity.

Longevity Genes

David A. Sinclair and Lenny Guarente argues, calorie restriction is a biological stressor conditions that will induce the defense response to living things, in the form of cellular defense, cell repair, energy production, or programmed death (apoptosis)

In 1995, Sinclair was able to identify genes that Sir2 in yeast continue to have cleavage at the other colonies had died. Sir2 gene is a gene that high conservator, there ranging from yeast to mammals. Sir2 gene in humans is called Sirt1.

Sirt1 is a deacetylase various types of proteins or intra ekstranukleus. P53 regulate Sirt1, FoxO1, Ku7 which play an important role in determining whether a cell in the face of stress to apoptosis or improve.

Calorie restriction increases Sirt1, which resulted in an active or genes non active other regulators, which in turn will increase the stability of DNA, increasing cellular repair, increased production and use of energy, which in turn will prolong cell survival, and to extend its global beings live.

Read more on : (Medica Corner) or (Blogging Bill)

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Tags:  diet

By Diet Genius