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The door to a longer life may have been opened by the lowly roundworm, but Cynthia Kenyon, at the University of California, San Francisco, knows that controlling insulin is the key. Her research has shown that insulin clearly plays a role in how fast an animal ages. Many groups that promote longevity call insulin the “death hormone.” Their recommendation? Caloric restriction.
But true caloric restriction isn't necessary for one following a low-carb lifestyle, as does Ms. Kenyon, herself. By eating fewer carbohydrates, we can cause a small amount of “there’s-a-shortage-of-food” response inside our body. Kenyon says, "When you don’t have enough insulin, your body senses danger and mounts a response. Protective mechanisms are mobilized. Antioxidants are produced. Chaperone proteins that help other proteins fold correctly become resistant to infections. Your immune response is strengthened.” The bottom line? At the minimum, a better quality of life. At the maximum, perhaps an extended lifespan. Either way, that's good news for the low-carb dieter.
For more info: Check out the second part of Ms. Kenyon's article, "Is Aging a Disease?"
Comments
Not the news I'd like, but I bet it's true.
Connie,
So many people have been brainwashed to the point that they won't even read the studies that support the health benefits of a high-fat, low-carb diet. Eventually, the evidence will mount up to the point that no one can doubt its efficacy.
Good to hear from you.
Correction. Not low carbs but high glycemic index carbs are the culprit. Low glycemic index carbs are good for you. These good carbs include greens, whole grains, nuts, and vegetables like squash, cucumber, green pepper, tomato, onion. Avoid white flour, carrots, corn, sweets, commercial sodas and pretend juices, potatoes, and commercial breads that say whole wheat. The only good sweets are berries, 100% juice, sweet milk, and possibly a sweet potato or kabocha squash.
Keith,
Many of the carb items listed as low glycemic still trigger an insulin response, and some people, such as me, cannot handle more than a very low carb diet without problems. I have to stay with fewer than 20 grams a day to stay healthy. Whole grains and anything but summer squashes wreck my blood chemistry. Carbohydrate is not a required food group. It is an option. That's what most people refuse to believe. Zero carb is not an option for me, because I love my brassicas too much. Many people, some athletes, go for years, very healthy, on zero carb. If you can eat carb and keep your tris and HDL happy and humming, good on ya'.
Patricia,
Your hypersensitive insulin response to sugar/carbohydrate may reduce by adding the following spices to your carbohydrates:
cinnamon
clove
cocoa powder
green tea leaf powder
chromium
pomegranite juice
cranberry unsweetened dried/juice
prunes dried/juice unsweetened
vegetable peel
The common ingredient is polyphenols. Literature confirms cinnamon, a near 100% polyphenol.
Keith,
Thank you for the information. Are you in print? If so, I'd like to follow.
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