In recent times, the subject of longevity has gained significant attention.
People are not just aiming for longer lives; they also aspire to lead happier, healthier lives free from injuries and diseases. However, with aging, injuries tend to occur more frequently, and the likelihood of falling ill and facing health issues significantly rises.
David Sinclair, a professor of genetics at Harvard, thinks that reversing aging and maintaining our youth is not a question of if, but of when.
He told Fortune:
"Biological age far more accurately reflects your health status than the number of candles on your birthday cake."
"Biological age offers a more accurate picture of health compared to the number of birthday candles."
Besides the inevitable process of aging, he thinks there are some actions we can take to roll back our biological age by ten years, and it doesn't take much time to begin.
Dr Sinclair is extremely conscious about what he consumes.
He relies on monitors such as his blood biomarkers and epigenetic age to make changes to what he eats. The primary thing he aims to cut from his diet is the one thing everyone adores: sugar.
Today, it seems like almost every item we eat contains some amount of sugar, particularly when we indulge in pre-packaged processed foods.
However, people are quite fond of it, although consuming a diet high in sugar often leads to:.
- Cardiovascular diseases are a group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels. This category includes conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart attacks, hypertension, and strokes. These illnesses are often linked to lifestyle factors, including poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking, but they can also stem from genetic predispositions. Early detection and lifestyle changes are crucial in managing and preventing the progression of these diseases.
- Increased likelihood of gaining excess weight.
- Type 2 diabetes
- Sure! Please provide the text you need rewritten, and I'll get started on it for you.
I understand that completely eliminating sugary foods can be really tough because, let’s face it, having a bit of sweetness in your life does wonders for lifting your spirits.
However, you should aim to consume them in moderation.
After he transitioned to a diet with less sugar, his memory became sharper, and he mentioned to GQ:.
"So I felt like my brain was back to being 20 years old. I had assumed it was just due to aging, but I realized it was actually because of my lifestyle."
So, I returned to having the sharpness of my 20-year-old mind. I used to think my cognitive decline was due to aging, but it turned out it was all because of my lifestyle.
What you can do:
- Try to limit yourself to just one sugary item two times a week.
- Opt for yogurt, dark chocolate, and fruits instead of dessert.
Part of understanding what to eat also involves recognizing the times when you shouldn’t eat.
Dr. Sinclair often avoids breakfast and practices intermittent fasting, typically leaving 16 to 18 hours between substantial meals in the C-suite.
However, according to Mark Mattson, a professor of neuroscience, the concept of fasting is tied to the period "when your mind is working its best." It typically assists with:
- Prevent diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and dementia.
- Enhance insulin sensitivity to improve blood sugar regulation, aiding your body in burning fat more efficiently.
In summary, it’s a complete deceleration of the aging process.
I think this approach could definitely assist with losing weight since you're taking in fewer calories each day. However, it's not something that suits everyone, and it isn't the right fit for me.
However, it's definitely worth considering for those who haven't attempted it before. Just be careful not to go overboard and risk malnutrition or starvation. Your health is far more important than any weight loss outcome.
What you can do:
- Consider giving intermittent fasting a shot, but make sure to increase the fasting duration gradually.
- Gradually cut back on how much breakfast you eat if you're in the habit of having it daily.
Each morning, Sinclair takes an antioxidant rich in polyphenols to support a healthy gut microbiome.
You don't need to take it as a pill since you can easily get it from berries, peanuts, and red wine. Occasionally, he would pair it with a few spoonfuls of yogurt or some green matcha tea because these are also rich in polyphenols.
Dr. Uma Naidoo, another nutritional psychiatrist trained at Harvard, also supports the use of polyphenols to enhance energy levels, mood, and sleep. She noted that regularly eating foods rich in these compounds can “change the makeup of your digestive system in about a month.”
Not only does it enhance your mood and make your heart stronger, but it also lowers the likelihood of tissue damage throughout your body.
However, be cautious not to consume it in large amounts, as this can lead to side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
What you can do:
- Include foods like Greek yogurt, kefir, kimchi, kombucha, and sauerkraut in your diet to support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
- Include garlic, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and cayenne in your diet to help balance stress hormones.
This is the part that many grown-ups find challenging as they age.
It’s the act of moving more.
Dr. Sinclair sets a goal to lift weights three times a week and makes an effort to run every day. However, on days when his energy is low, he opts for a walk instead.
He also mentions that this is:
His biggest hurdle when it comes to his health is finding the motivation to get active.
His biggest health challenge now revolves around staying active.
Here's the thing about exercise: you don’t need to push yourself through intense workout sessions every single day. Doing so would just leave you feeling exhausted. Working out three times a week allows your body to recuperate, and you’ll probably find more enjoyment in both the training and the progress you make.
It’s possible to achieve an effective workout without a gym membership. Bodyweight exercises can be quite sufficient, particularly if you know how to incorporate progressive overload techniques.
If you remember just one key point from this article, Dr. Sinclair offers his most important advice for those wanting to enhance their longevity and well-being, which is to:.
Remain consistent with these habits
Remain consistent with these habits
There will be moments when you stray from your routine and can't stick to your daily tasks, but as long as you manage to get back on course, you're doing fantastic!
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