Despite what you see in ads and on the internet, there is only one strategy that has been shown to increase lifespan in mammals by upwards of 30%. It’s not a supplement. It’s not an herb. It’s not exercise.
Calorie restriction without nutrient restriction. High phytonutrient, low calorie. This means that your 1200 calories / day comes from broccoli and not a Big Mac Value Meal. This is completely opposite of the Standard American Diet. The aforementioned value meal is almost completely devoid of phytonutrition, with the solitary onion being the exception so long as it hasn’t been weeks since it left the ground.
It is known that calorie restriction activates the SIRT family of genes and that activation of these genes are responsible for the beneficial effects. We do know that the number and efficiency of our mitochondria improve. This is a VERY good thing. Think on this–the more calories our body takes in, the lazier our energy factories get. On the flip side, our bodies are extremely efficient at scrambling and using efficiently calories when they are sparse.
This particular study finds yet another benefit–the increased production of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) type molecules. CoQ10 has been promoted as an anti-aging supplement for some time now. Why spend the money on a supplement when you can help your body make more naturally?
How do we cut calories? First, make sure that 90% of what crosses your lips has value. No processed foods. Lots of colors, spices, flavors and scents that came directly from Mother Nature. Split meals. Cook less. By more expensive organic grass fed beef but cook less of it. Use spices. Drink tea and coffee unsweetened–leave ANY sweeteners out of the picture. Spread your peanut butter (natural, of course) a little thinner. Split that Starbucks. Better yet, skip the massive, oversized venti with the whip cream and split the small with reduced pumps of syrup. Skip the syrup and try flavored balsamic vinegars. Go for the Amy’s entree for lunch that has 280 calories instead of 360.
Be creative but thoughtful. Consider how you can nip a few calories here or there but keep the quality of the food high. You’ll be surpised at the results.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0891584911001961