In the 1930s, Clive McCay, a nutritional scientist at Cornell University in NY, was a pioneer in proving the link between calorie restriction and longevity. Since then, hundreds of studies have proven the link--studies on not only mice, rats, and dogs, but also primates.
But what if you could take a pill and not have to restrict your calories? A nutrient known as resveratrol appears to have some promise. The Longevity Factor is an explanation for how this works as well as a guide for which supplements work best.
During times of stress, such as drought or too much sun, plants can increase production of specialized molecules called xeno factors. When animals consume these plants, the xeno factors interact with the animals' genes and impart amazing health benefits, allowing the animals to live in some cases up to 50% longer! When xeno factors are made into an extract such as resveratrol, the compounds seem to trick the body into mounting a response similar to calorie restriction even without cutting back of food. The effects appear to cover all theories of aging (which are presented in this book). "By activating specific mechanisms within our cells, they help to control inflammation, regulate cell survival, repair cells, and prevent cell death. As antioxidants, they work to enhance the all-important performance of the immune and endocrine systems" (p. 30). Like the calorie restricted diet, resveratrol activates the SIRT1 gene, known as the longevity gene.
What if you don't want to take the pill? The example is given of a French woman who lived to be 122. She claimed her secret was walking and two glasses a day of red wine. (Before you go on a drinking spree, note that with any more than 2 glasses, the toxicity of the alcohol outweighs the benefits of resveratrol.) We are given a list of which red wines are the most beneficial. Also, certain foods contain resveratrol. These include red wine, apples, dark chocolate, green tea, pistachios, peanuts and grape juice. But to get the full benefit of taking the extract, one would have to consume hundreds of bottles of wine!
The book cites studies done on animals. The benefits of reseveratrol include higher energy, burning of body fat, increased aerobic capacity, sensitivity to insulin, better strength and coordination, with no negative side effects. In addition, there is an entire section with chapters on the following benefits: better memory (even helps with Alzheimer's), healing from diabetes, anticancer effect, cardio protection, stroke prevention, brain protection, and healing inflammatory conditions.
The latter part of the book includes which are the best brands, dosage, safety, a four step weight loss program, and even recipes.
In April of 2008, cutting edge resveratrol researcher David Sinclair told Barbara Walters's nationwide TV audience that the science of aging "has split the atom," and living to be 120 or 150 is not unrealistic. Are you on board? I know I am! (But until they get everything perfected, I am nonetheless watching those calories...)
Susan Schenck, author of The Live Food Factor: The Comprehensive Guide to the Ultimate Diet for Body, Mind, Spirit & Planet
and
Beyond Broccoli, Creating a Biologically Balanced Diet When a Vegetarian Diet Doesn't Work
