The Longevity Diet

Eat Healthier, Live Longer, Learn More.

What Is The Longevity Diet Anyway?

The longevity diet is basically a set of guidelines for healthy eating developed by biochemist Valter Longo, Ph.D., director of the USC Longevity Institute at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, and was created to help people live longer, healthier lives. The longevity diet recommends following a plant-based diet that includes little-to-no meat and poultry and some periodic fasting. Although primarily made for older people, younger people also can reap health benefits.

In a journal published in October 2016.JAMA Internal Medicine, assessed the dietary habits and health of more than 130,000 healthcare professionals.

It found that “high animal protein intake was definitely linked to cardiovascular death rate and high plant protein intake increased the chances of you living longer, especially with individuals with at least one or more risk factors for heart disease.

Dr. Longo’s research also uncovered substantial benefits of fasting-mimicking diets (similar to intermittent fasting)—specifically that such diets improve factors that have a significant impact on health, particularly as people age, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

The longevity diet closely resembles a modified vegan diet in which certain seafood and small amounts of meat and dairy are allowed. It is as much a healthy lifestyle as an eating plan and can be followed for as long as you want it to, indefinite amount of time. The recommendations include following a five-day fasting-mimicking dietary program periodically throughout the year.

Protein Limitations:

For people under age 65,the longevity diet recommends limiting protein intake to between 0.31 grams to 0.36 grams per pound of body weight. Seniors older than age 65 may eat slightly more than that, including animal protein, in order to help preserve muscle mass.

Dietary Restrictions:

Just about anyone can safely follow the food recommendations of the longevity diet, with the exception of those who might be sensitive or allergic to nuts or any other food category that would produce negative reactions.

However, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as well as people who have diabetes, should not do the fasting part of the plan.

Mediterranean Diet Is The Standard:

When it comes to living a long and healthy life, it’s your eating habits that is important. The Mediterranean diet basically espouses high intake of fruits and vegetables; whole grains; healthful fats from nuts, olive oil, and avocado; and herbs and spices, along with seafood a few times a week; a moderate consumption of dairy, eggs, and wine; and a limited consumption of meat and sweets. This Diet closely resembles the Longevity Diet.

The longevity diet is more a groundwork that incorporates healthy eating habits for lifelong health as opposed to a calorie restrictive weight loss regimen. By focusing on plant-based foods, it has built-in nutritional advantages as vegetables, beans, legumes, and nuts are rich in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients.

When prepared in healthy ways, these foods also are lower in artery-clogging fat and cholesterol and calories than the meats, poultry, and dairy products the guidelines advise limiting or, better yet, eliminating altogether.

Although it may seem like a hard thing to do at first(The fasting-mimicking diet for five days part)You only have to do it just a few times a year and considering what’s at stake (Your health and quality of life)It’s a small sacrifice to make. If you want to live as long as possible while following a healthy dietary regimen look no further. To learn more Click Here.

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