Most people are well aware that what they eat influences their health, but did you know with the right methods you can literally reverse the clock and potentially add decades to your lifespan? Read-on if you want to learn the three most powerful, scientifically proven, all-natural methods for disease prevention and life extension.
#1: Eat a Plant-Based, Wholefoods Diet
With so many ’experts’ saying completely different things, it can be almost impossible to determine the ideal diet for health and longevity. But I am here to clear-up the confusion. I can say with certainty that the healthiest diet for humans is a wholefood, plant-based diet. This is a bold statement I know, but it’s backed by science. Countless large-scale studies have been released in the past few years proving plant-based eating is the most effective diet for disease prevention, weight management, and longevity. I myself have followed and advocated this type of diet for decades, and have witnessed thousands of patients completely transform their bodies with it.
If you’re still skeptical, just look to anatomy and nature for proof. Our teeth and jaws are anatomically designed for the consumption of plant foods and they are far more similar to animals that are herbivores than to those that are carnivores. And if you consider the fact that humans evolved from primates and our guts and digestive systems most closely resemble those of primates, it makes sense to eat a diet similar to theirs. Most primates consume a diet that is primarily comprised of whole, unprocessed plant foods. If they do eat meat, it’s typically a rare occurrence, and the meat is far healthier because it comes from wild as opposed to factory-farmed animals.
If you want to look younger and live longer, your diet should include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, moderate amounts of whole grains, and healthy unsaturated fats found in avocados, nuts (especially coconuts) and seeds. You should vastly reduce or eliminate processed foods, fast foods, sugar, oils (they are refined), and dairy (no animal in nature consumes milk from other animals). If you choose to eat meat, it should be a rare occasion, a small serving size, and sourced from free-range, organic, animals.
What About Protein?
A common argument against plant-based eating is that plant proteins are inferior and you can’t meet your protein needs on plant foods (especially if you’re highly active). However, consistent data shows that the protein needs of vegetarians are easily met when the diet includes a variety of plant foods, and calorie intake is adequate. Besides which, the argument for needing animal products for protein is based on faulty research done on rats more than a century ago. Researchers of this outdated study found infant rats did not grow as well on plants and used that as ‘proof’ that humans need animal proteins to thrive.
The problem with that study is that rats are born carnivores, and their protein requirements are vastly different than the protein requirements of humans. This is evidenced by the fact that human milk is 3% protein and rat milk is 26%. In other words, the protein content of rat breast milk is nearly 10 times greater than human breast milk. This is a clear indication that humans require far less protein to grow and thrive.
#2: Fast or Practice Calorie Restriction (CR)
Our ancestors went through regular periods of famine, so it’s no surprise that restricting food intake has been found healthful. In fact, researchers have found calorie restriction increases lifespan and helps prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and many other chronics and age-associated diseases. Scientists believe the reason calorie restriction (CR) leads to a notable lifespan extension is because CR reduces IGF-1, which is a growth factor hormone that activates mTOR pathways. This is beneficial because mTOR is a major contributor to many of the processes that are associated with aging and disease.
Fasting on water or juice for days or even weeks is a common method for achieving the benefits of CR, but I don’t recommend this type of fasting to most of my clients because it’s impractical. And if you are over the age of 60, water fasting is ill-advised, unless supervised by a physician. A more practical way to get the benefits of fasting is to eat in a shorter window each day, allowing at least 12 hours between your last meal and your first meal of the day.
If you are trying to recover from a disease, lose weight, or simply extend longevity you can take this one step further by doing a mini fast for 5 days every month. Instead of eliminating all food, limit your energy intake to 800 calories and eat only whole plant-based foods (make sure to soak any nuts and seeds to enhance digestibility). This type of fasting is recommended by many cutting edge physicians including Dr. Joel Kahn, author of over 150 scientific articles, and Valter D. Longo, a cell biologist known for his studies on the role of fasting on cellular protection, aging, and disease.
#3: Practice Protein Restriction
Recent studies have found protein restriction to have similar anti-aging effects as calorie restriction and fasting. It makes sense because protein intake is one of the biggest influencers of circulating IGF-1 levels, and protein restriction leads to a notable reduction of IGF-1. Restricting your protein intake is definitely worth considering, as the effects on disease risk and mortality are significant. One 18 year-long studies of over 6000 adults, found high protein intake was associated with a 4-fold increase in cancer death risk and a 75% increase in overall mortality rates.
A protein restricted diet means only 5%–10% of your total caloric intake is derived from protein (the typical intake is 20%). So for instance, if you are on a 2000 calorie a day diet, only 100 to 200 calories would come from protein. This may sound restrictive but as long as you get your calories from carbohydrates, you can thrive on just 20 grams of protein per day. The reason for this is two-fold. Firstly, humans have the ability to recycle protein enzymes in the body, and secondly, carbohydrates are protein sparing, and a low protein, high carbohydrate diet leads to less protein being wasted and excreted in the urine.
Dr Walter Kempner did a study on this decades ago. He had study participants consume a rice based diet, comprised of rice, fruit, fruit juice and sugar and 20 grams of protein a day. All of the participants maintained a positive nitrogen balance throughout the study and the men on a rice only diet absorbed 20% more nitrogen, compared to participants that ate chicken (found the study on nitrogen but didn’t see anything on rice versus chicken consumption).
If you’re worried that restricting protein will make you weak, just look at track and field Olympian Carl Lewis. He is the world’s fastest man, and he broke his own records at the end of his career on a protein-restricted diet comprised of 10% fat, 10% protein, and 80% complex carbohydrates. Or look to certain native tribes who thrive on a diet based primarily on potatoes and other starchy foods, with a macronutrient ratio of 3% protein, 3% fat, and 97% complex carbohydrates (Again I can’t find a study to support this statement included in the email and the number 3,3, and 97 don’t add up).
Bonus Tip: Take Anti-Aging Nutraceuticals
The right combination of nutrients in concentrated form can make a notable difference in your appearance and vitality; help ward off disease and slow down the aging process at the cellular level. I spent years testing and formulating Neuro Ortho Stem and recommend it to all my clients. It is a complete body rejuvenation formula with superfoods and herbs to help your body regenerate from any issue by increasing stem cells.
Stem cells divide to produce new body tissues for maintenance and repair and they are the key to halting the aging process. They also help clear abnormal proteins and dissolve visceral fat (can’t find a study or statement by Joel Kahn saying this). Our research found a massive 140% increase of stem cell colonies inside the bone marrow of participants after just 6 weeks on this supplement. Neuro Ortho Stem also stimulates natural growth hormone production, which gives the stem cells the best environment to begin their healing work. Plus it provides antioxidants to ward off aging caused by free radicals; and immune-boosting, energy increasing, and anti-inflammatory nutrients.
If you are truly serious about turbocharging your health and fitness levels and slowing down the aging process, I recommend you also take Slim Blend Pro. It’s an all-natural organic superfood powder that contains over thirty fruits and vegetables, probiotics, and a third of the daily recommended amount of fiber per serving. It promotes gentle detoxification and contains beta-glucan and a range of phytonutrients that support DNA health and enhance energy and longevity.
