Increasing Longevity – Can It Be Done?
Do YOU want to live a Longer, Healthier Life?
Doesn’t Everyone?
Have you heard it’s ALL Genetic? [Not Likely]
Is Exercise the answer? [Not necessarily]
Or Luck? [Why risk it?]
Could it be Nutritional? [More than Likely ;~]
Have you heard that Calorie Restriction [CR] increases longevity?
There is some suggestion it might.
Did You hear about the recent Monkey study?
It didn’t seem to work in Monkeys.
A little disappointing to the CR crowd.
Confusing? Yes
Explanable? Yep
But, There is Good News !!
Read On…
—————————————-
The original Calorie Restriction studies done in 1934 by Clive McCay and Mary Crowell at Cornell University.
Rats that were fed 30% fewer calories lived 50% longer than their well-fed counterparts.
Repeat – the calorie restricted animals lived 50% longer!
Exciting Stuff – Everybody wants to live longer!! [even rats]
This sounds like compelling evidence that calorie restriction increases lifespan.
However, on closer examination…
These under-fed animals were given the SAME Micronutrients as their shorter-lived counterparts.
That is, both groups were given the same vitamins and minerals.
So, per calorie the “restricted” group had more vitamins and minerals – AKA Better Nutrition.
More on this in a minute.
A worthwhile discussion….
From the Journal Of Nutrition
___________________________________
© 2010 The American Institute of Nutrition
Honoring Clive McCay and 75 Years of Calorie Restriction Research
by Roger B. McDonald 3 and Jon J. Ramsey
A few excerpts…
The uniqueness of McCay’s design compared with previous investigations was that retarded growth was achieved through the reduction of calories only.
Increased longevity by retarding growth in prior investigations had been achieved by the use of nutrient deficiency along with food restriction.
McCay thought that nutrient deficiency together with food restriction most likely caused metabolic problems beyond limiting growth and stated: “It is doubtful if such studies…test the hypothesis [life span and retarded growth], because the two groups, separated on the basis of growth, are not homogenous.
The slower growing group tends to include the inferior individuals that die prematurely.”
—————–
Research investigating the effect of retarded growth on lifespan and published between 1935 and 1945 were generally consistent with McCay’s hypothesis that a reduction in energy rather than individual nutrients was the reason for increased longevity.
Although no direct comparisons of lifespan of rodents restricted in energy or nutrients were made during this time, retarded growth by feeding rats diets inadequate in B vitamins, calcium, and/or protein decreased lifespan or caused significant mortality during development.
http://jn.nutrition.org/content/140/7/1205.full
_____________________________________
I like this …[from above]
” Although no direct comparisons of lifespan of rodents restricted in energy or nutrients were made during this time, retarded growth by feeding rats diets inadequate in B vitamins, calcium, and/or protein decreased lifespan or caused significant mortality during development.”
In other words – if rats are malnourished they die younger.
—————————————————-
Various explanations have been put forth to explain this increase in longevity in rats.
Many studies have been done since the original research with mixed results.
Most recently a primate study showed NO Increase in Longevity in monkeys.
Let’s take a diversion into the land of “Why”.
Isn’t longevity genetic?
“Everybody in this family or that country live to a hundred” – so it must be genetic, right?
Not necessarily.
Genetics play some role but there are other factors – including nutritional status.
Studies of identical twins do not support this idea. [lifespans vary widely]
Even genetically identical honey bees have varying lifespans.
As with healthiness, longevity can be traced back to nutrition.
People with better nutrition are healthier.
People who are healthier live longer – common sense – Is it not?
——————————————————–
Back to the Rats…
If you read the original research carefully you’ll find a subtle but significant clue as to WHY the rats lived longer.
Divided into groups the rats were given either a normal calorie diet or a diet with 30% fewer calories.
Both groups received the SAME micronutrients [vitamins and minerals]
That is – Less calories WITHOUT Malnutrition – in fact they received more vitamins and minerals per calorie.
Their food was more nutrient dense.
The calorie restricted rodent lived 50% longer.
Interesting Stuff!!
It doesn’t take much logic to see that these animals benefited from improved nutrition.
The Problem….
For the past 78 years the focus has been on the Calorie Restriction [CR] and not Nutrition.
Numerous studies have used calorie restriction while ignoring the micronutrient content of foods.
The results of these studies have been mixed – not surprising.
Let’s face it – Nutrition has been the step-child in science for too long.
Nutrition is the Answer.
——————————————–
As I have stated many times before….
You cannot get Full Spectrum Nutrition from food alone.
Two thirds of our nutrients are minerals.
Our soil and farmlands have been depleted of minerals for 100 years.
Our farming methods, the use of levees/dams and subsequent lack of “new” minerals from flooding have led to this soil mineral depletion.
Adding insult to injury we have used a narrow spectrum fertilizer [NPK] that supplies only three minerals [Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium] – Remember we need around 60 minerals.
It is no surprise that illness is on the rise – more diabetes, more cancer and a list of others.
Side Note: We supplement animal feeds with minerals and vitamins. [and have done so for over 50 years]
Why?
Because this makes them healthier [and more profitable]
————————
Remember….
We are designed to get our minerals from plants – not Rocks.
Plants take in “rock-like” minerals [elemental or metallic] and render them into a colloidal form – that gives a 98% absorption rate for animals where metallic minerals have a 3% absorption rate.
Plant based minerals [colloidal] = 98% absorption.
Rock based minerals like calcium carbonate or citrate have a limited absorption @ 3%.
Tums and Caltrate contain calcium carbonate, AKA Limestone – a rock – Google it.
Another key point…..
Plants CAN make vitamins, amino acids/proteins and oils from sunlight and carbon dioxide via photosynthesis.
Plants use this same process to make carbohydrates and sugars.
But, Plants Cannot make Minerals.
Finally….
We MUST Supplement our diets with MINERALS.
For each mineral deficiency there are, on average, 10 symptoms – learn about it.
_____________________________
And as I always say….
To achieve optimal health we need Full Spectrum Nutrition.
Around 90 nutrients are considered ESSENTIAL.
These nutrients can be divided into 4 groups:
Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids [Protein] and Fats/Oils.
If Optimal Health is the goal, it is virtually impossible to get “everything you need” from foods alone.
To get full spectrum nutrition we ALL need to supplement our diets.
—————————–
Supplements to consider:
1) Get a good multiple vitamin/mineral product. Versions with “Chelated” minerals are best.
2) Take a quality Calcium product. Look for MCHA as the calcium source and one that includes Magnesium, vitamin D and some assorted trace minerals.
3) Take Omega 3 oils. Flax oil is the best to start. Adding a quality Fish oil is a good idea [giving EPA and DHA]
4) Find a good Colloidal mineral product for trace minerals. Make sure it’s from Humic shale and NOT ionic minerals. Humic shale is the “fossilized” remains of the dinosaur days. Plant based colloidal minerals are 98% absorbed.
5) Vitamin E is difficult to get in sufficient amounts from foods. I advise people to supplement with at least 400 IU per day.Natural versions are best.
6) Try to find a Glucosamine Chondroitin and MSM product [bovine source is best] to protect your joints.
7)) Consider taking extra Vitamin C [products with rose hips also contain the Bioflavonoids from the natural C family]. I prefer capsules over tablets. Chewable versions can mottle teeth – not good.
——————————-
Your feedback is important – please comment , ask questions and suggest topics that interest you!!
If you like this post and this page be sure to “LIKE” both before you leave.