Scientists at The Jackson Laboratory issued the recent research in the journal Nature, that a very low-calorie diet extended lifespan more effectively than intermittent fasting. 

 

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According to celebrity nutritionist Ryan Fernando, fasting might just be the magic ingredient for a longer life. In his book Eating: Secrets of Champions, he highlights that mindful eating and fasting aren’t just spiritual practices—they’re scientifically backed strategies for longevity.

Fasting activates our body’s natural healing mechanisms, helping reverse signs of aging. Pair that with eating in sync with your body’s circadian rhythms and ditching heavily processed foods, and you’ve got a recipe for a longer, healthier life. Science agrees: by embracing these age-old habits in modern ways, we might just find the key to living longer while feeling our best. 

 

Why Eating Less and Fasting Could Be Your Secret to Longevity

Could eating less be the ultimate age-defying hack? Ryan suggests fasting might hold the key to living longer, healthier lives. Here’s how:

1. Age-Reversal Mechanisms: Practices like intermittent fasting (12-14 hours daily) and weekly 24-hour water fasts. Example: If you finish dinner at 8 PM, eat breakfast after 8-10 AM the next day. This pattern helps initiate age-reversal mechanisms in the body and gives your cells a fresh start.

2️.Extended Water Fasting: Fasting triggers autophagy, a powerful process where your body clears out old, damaged cells, making way for healthier, more efficient ones to take over. Think of it as decluttering your system for better performance.

Key Benefits:

• Activates autophagy: This natural cellular cleaning mechanism clears out old, damaged cells.
• Body’s spring cleaning: Fasting is like hitting the refresh button for your system.
• Enhances cell performance: Younger, healthier cells take over, boosting your body’s efficiency.
• Promotes rejuvenation: Feel revitalised as your body repairs itself from the inside out.

3️. Circadian Rhythm Eating:  Aligning your meals with your body’s natural rhythm—like making lunch your biggest meal—can improve sleep, digestion, and overall well-being, which also contributes to a longer life.

This natural approach to eating and fasting helps counteract modern lifestyle factors that accelerate aging, bringing us closer to our ancestral eating patterns that promote longevity.

 

What Does Science Say About Eating Less And Longer Life?

A study published in Science has found the first genetic clue to explain why eating less might extend lifespan. Scientists, led by Leonard Guarente from MIT, studied yeast cells and discovered that cutting their sugar intake by 75 per cent made them live 25 per cent longer.

When cells are put on a strict diet, more of a NAD molecule becomes available. This boosts the activity of a gene called SIR2, which does some amazing work to help cells live longer:

• Silences Harmful Genes: SIR2 reduces harmful chromosomal changes by encoding a protein that prevents certain genes from being copied.
• Prevents DNA Damage: It also suppresses the formation of small, circular DNA fragments that build up with age and are linked to a shorter lifespan in yeast.

This means that SIR2 and NAD are key players in how reducing food intake can lead to a longer life. While this research was done in yeast, it gives us clues about how eating less might also work for humans.

Eating less isn’t just about cutting calories—it’s about triggering powerful biological processes that promote longevity. From activating genes like SIR2 and enhancing cellular “cleaning” through autophagy to aligning with the body’s natural rhythms, these mechanisms work together to slow aging and extend lifespan. While much of the research is still evolving, these insights offer promising clues into how mindful fasting and dietary adjustments could unlock the secrets to living longer and healthier lives.

Before making big changes to your diet, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Cutting calories too much can be risky, especially for people with health conditions like heart disease or diabetes. It could lead to malnutrition, where your body doesn’t get the nutrients it needs. A doctor can help guide you to make safe choices and ensure your diet is balanced, so you get the benefits without putting your health at risk.

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