Interesting article on lifespans
 

My son sent me an interesting article on extending human lifespans. See:
http://www.newscientist.com/opinion/...=KNDDNMDBNKFB?
id=ns24171

Some of the interesting comments from the article:

But for now, caloric restriction seems the one proven way to extend
lifespan. Is that why you've virtually given up carbohydrates?


That's not necessarily why I do it. I do it because it makes me feel great
and keeps me slender. And I don't feel really tired after a meal. But I
think if I wanted to eat in a way that extended lifespan this is how I would
do it. In fact, I stopped eating carbohydrates the day we found that putting
sugar on the worms' food shortened their lifespans.


How does it work?


I eat a diet that keeps my insulin levels low. So, for example, at breakfast
I have bacon and eggs with tomatoes and avocados. It's bit like the Atkins
diet. I don't actually know if I eat fewer calories, but I feel great and I
weigh what I did in high school. I certainly wouldn't want to be hungry all
the time, but I'm not, I'm never hungry. I tried caloric restriction just
for two days but I couldn't stand it, being hungry all the time.


What don't you eat?


I don't eat sweets, bread, pasta, potatoes or rice. I actually do eat lots
of carbohydrates, just not starchy ones, the ones that turn into sugar
quickly in your body. I eat lots of vegetables and salads, and lots of fish
and nuts, cheese, eggs and meat. People are now studying these low-carb
diets like Atkins and the zone diet scientifically.


How do you know it's doing you any good?


My blood profile is off the scale. Apparently triglycerides are very good
indicators of your insulin and glucose levels. Anything below 200
[milligrams per decilitre] is good, and mine is 30! And my "good"
cholesterol (HDL) is 86 [mg/dl], which is fabulous.



Debbie