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For years, certain foods have been promoted as the key to a long and healthy life, from common vegetables and healthy fats to powders made from exotic plants.

But a number of anti-aging diets focus not on what you should eat, but instead on limiting your intake of food overall or restricting your meals to certain days or times of the day.

These diets include calorie restriction, intermittent fasting, fasting-mimicking diet, the keto diet, and time-restricted feeding.

All of these are intended to not only increase your life, but also extend the number of years youre in good health, known as lifespan and healthspan, respectively.

Much of the research on anti-aging diets has been done in non-human organisms from microbes to worms to rodents.

One reason for this is that its easier to follow the entire lifespan of these creatures, because their lives are so much shorter.

Research in people is also starting to suggest that some dietary patterns may help people live longer and age more gracefully.

However, some researchers caution that data on the benefits of these diets for people is limited especially when it comes to knowing if eating a certain way can extend the human lifespan.

Despite their recent popularization, there is not yet strong evidence that any of the anti-aging diets studied in laboratory animals have substantial long-term health benefits in non-obese humans, wrote Matt Kaeberlein, PhD, and his colleagues in a review in the journal Science.

In the Science paper, Kaeberlein and his colleagues reviewed existing research on anti-aging diets, focusing on studies done in rodents, and whenever possible, people.

In the rodent studies, the most promising anti-aging diets involved calorie restriction.

This included the classic calorie restriction diet, where daily calories are reduced by 20 to 50 percent, and a variation that involves reducing overall calories but maintaining protein intake.

This fits with other research looking at the opposite the impact of greater food intake.

Michael J. Forster, PhD, a researcher at the University of North Texas Health Science Center who studies aging, said research shows that when rodents and non-human primates consume more calories than their body uses, they see a reduction in life expectancy.

The size of this lifespan shortening depends on how much excess food is eaten and for how long, he said.

One could argue from the rodent studies that the difference in life expectancy [between animals] due to caloric intake is up to 50 percent, said Forster.

Another diet that Kaeberlein and his colleagues found promising is intermittent fasting, in which mice fasted for 1 day in between feedings.

However, this is also considered a type of calorie restriction because mice end up consuming fewer calories overall due to the fasting days.

Scientists have studied other diets, as well, but so far, calorie reduction seems to have the biggest impact on the lifespan of rodents and other non-human organisms.

The evidence is poor that any current dietary practice other than [calorie restriction] will significantly and broadly influence health and longevity, said Forster.

In spite of the promising results in rodents, so far no anti-aging diets have been shown to be effective in the clinic, wrote Kaeberlein and his colleagues.

However, there is some evidence consistent with anti-aging effects for [calorie restriction] and related diets in humans, they added.

Valter Longo, PhD, a researcher who studies aging at the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, said part of the problem with this research is that researchers, scientists, and clinicians often work in isolation.

Whats missing is a multi-disciplinary approach, he said. If you put all [the research] together, you get a very different picture with certain nutritional interventions not only consistently associated with health, but also with longevity.

Because of the challenges of following people for decades, much of the anti-aging diet research focuses on shorter-term benefits.

For example, caloric restriction over a period of 2 years has been found to improve insulin sensitivity and risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

The fasting-mimicking diet has also been found to improve body mass index (BMI), blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and other health markers.

While much of the emphasis of anti-aging diet research is on pushing the boundaries of lifespan and healthspan, Forster thinks researchers should focus more on why some people lose their physical and mental function as they age.

What processes and preventable events contribute to failure to achieve optimal health during aging and make us vulnerable to disease? he said.

Although more research on these diets is needed, from one perspective, we already have significant information, said Forster. Maintaining a healthy weight throughout life tends to maximize health and longevity.

Longo also thinks scientists have enough data on the benefits of less extreme diets to be able to recommend them to certain groups.

For example, while he doesnt think people should do 16 hours of fasting every day for the rest of their lives, a shorter fast period during the day should be safe for most people.

There are no studies that Ive ever seen on 12 hours of fasting and 12 hours of feeding every day being harmful, he said.

For other diets, such as the fasting-mimicking diet which Longo studies, there are more caveats. But not so many that Longo couldnt easily rattle them off in 30 seconds.

Some of his warnings are against doing these diets too often or too extremely or when there are medical reasons for a person to not restrict their diet.

What if you restrict yourself too much or for too long? What if you restrict yourself when youre 85? Well, that could be a big problem, said Longo.

Severe calorie restriction can potentially lead to increased cold sensitivity, decreased sex drive, poor sleep, chronic fatigue, and muscle weakness.

A study by Longo and his colleagues also found that while a low protein diet was beneficial for people ages 50 to 65, those over 65 on this diet had a higher risk of dying.

Other researchers have raised a concern that intermittent fasting and other restrictive diets could lead to disordered eating.

While not everyone who restricts their eating to every other day or within an 8-hour window will go on to develop an eating disorder, some people may have a higher risk.

As for the fasting-mimicking diet, Longo said many people could benefit from doing this 2 or 3 times a year, but not more frequently.

But, he said there are other dietary patterns not related to calorie restriction that are known to be beneficial.

This includes eating a low protein diet (but not too low, especially if youre an older adult), and eating a more plant-based diet, and if youre vegan, ensuring that you get all the macronutrients you need, especially amino acids.

While you have the need for personalization [of the diet], said Longo, there are some things that will benefit the great majority of people.

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How Effective Are Anti-Aging Diets? Here's What Science Tells Us - Healthline

Antiageing foods: Myths or reality?  |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

"First hint that bodys biological age can be reversed," screamed the headline of Nature.com, an online scientific articles website. In a small trial, drugs seemed to rejuvenate the bodys epigenetic clock, which tracks a persons biological age, it reassured.

According to the report in Nature.com, a small clinical study in California has suggested for the first time that it might be possible to reverse the bodys epigenetic clock, which measures a persons biological age. By testing the blood samples from the said clinical trial designed to reverse aspects of human ageing, scientists found a significant reversal in their epigenetic ages.

What was the experiment?

Thymus Gland on the radar:According to the report in Nature.com, the results were a surprise even to the trial organisers but researchers caution that the findings are preliminary because the trial was small and did not include a control arm.

Id expected to see slowing down of the clock, but not a reversal, says geneticist Steve Horvath at the University of California, Los Angeles, who conducted the epigenetic analysis. That felt kind of futuristic. The findings were published on 5 September in Aging Cell.

It may be that there is an effect, says cell biologist Wolfgang Wagner at the University of Aachen in Germany. But the results are not rock-solid because the study is very small and not well controlled.

The latest trial was designed mainly to test whether growth hormone could be used safely in humans to restore tissue in the thymus gland. The gland, which is in the chest between the lungs and the breastbone, is crucial for efficient immune function.

What the Thymus Gland does:White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and then mature inside the thymus, where they become specialized T cells that help the body fight infections and cancers. In simple words, a type of lymphocyte that develops in the thymus gland, T-cells are essential to human immunity. As we age the thymus gland starts to shrink after puberty and increasingly becomes clogged with fat.

The epigenetic clock is an age predictor based on DNA methylation levels. It is dependent on the bodys epigenome, which is a complete description of all the chemical modificationssuch as methyl groupsthat tag DNA and histone proteins.

The pattern of these tags changes throughout the course of a persons life, and tracks their biological age, which does not necessarily coincide with their chronological age.

According to the researchers, additional studies need to be done on immunosenescence.

Evidence from animal and some human studies shows that growth hormone stimulates regeneration of the thymus. But this hormone can also promote diabetes, so the trial included two widely used anti-diabetic drugs, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and metformin, in the treatment cocktail.

Foods that boost the functions of the Thymus gland and Immunity:

What "not to do" or what to "give up" to age healthier?Ageing is inevitable. But take the dullness, stress, ill-health, and regret out of the process. Go easy on sugar if you cannot give up the artificial option altogether. Sugar can actually depress immune activity, so avoid any forms of it if you are fighting an infection. Give up smoking. That is in fact, enemy number one of a long healthy life. Longevity does not sit fine on the cancer stick, sorry! People around the world are changing the rules of ageing. Some simple changes in your lifestyle will help you age gracefully. Why not do it?

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.

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5 foods that have anti-ageing longevity-promoting properties; boost immunity, reverse ageing and help live long healthy life - Times Now

The debate of greatest of all time between Michael Jordan and LeBron James is never-ending, but the Lakers star keeps getting his flowers from the players currently in the league.

For the past 10-15 years, LeBron James has been the face of the NBA, and for many the GOAT. The four-time Finals MVP is a generational superstar. Though he has a section of haters, one cannot deny his impact on the game.

Since the day he debuted in the Cleveland Cavaliers uniform for the first time in 2003, theres never been a player in the NBA who has performed at the top for 19-years. But is he the GOAT?

Also read: Lakers superstar shows off a few celebrations as he leads the team past the Pacers in a OT 124-116 win

Every time a GOAT conversation comes up, Michael Jordan stays a constant parameter. But if one talks about longevity and giving their everything to the game, no one comes close to LeBron. Even MJ, the 6-time NBA Champion got bored of the game and tried Baseball, while already struggling with a gambling issue.

James never had such issues, hes the perfect role model for any up-and-coming athletes to structure their career path around. In his year nineteen, the King is a force to reckon with, no matter where he plays. And is now playing with players who as kids, watched him destroying several NBA legends since he debuted in 2003.

LeBron James made it to 8-straight finals since 2011 when he went to the Miami Heat. Only the Boston Celtics and 3 players of that team have more. The 4-time NBA champion has played most Playoffs games in NBA history and also has thebest winning percentage. Then hes third in the all-time scoring list and might finish at the top when its all said and done.

What separates him from others in the GOAT conversation is his understanding of the game and playmaking abilities. The point-forward is top-10 in all-time assists as well.

Those are just the records speaking for the King, in his 19th year in the league. Nobody has been as consistent as him for this long. The 17-time All-Star is still the MVP in his team ahead of two future Hall of Famers and NBAs top-75 players of all time. His longevity coupled with the level of production he is still showing is unmatched.

After winning his 4th title with his third franchise, for the last two seasons, he has shown signs of being a human who can have injuries. The Lakers projected to be the best team in the West at the start of this season, would clearly not make it to the Playoffs if their 36-year old MVP misses more games due to nagging injuries.

After their win over the Indiana Pacers Wednesday night, on the back of a LeBron James show, Lakers shooting guard Malik Monk described the 4-time MVP to be his and his generations GOAT.

With the form they are in, the Lakers might face a tough time to finish as a top-4 team in the West, but where ever they do end up, LeBron James and Co will be a team to avoid in a 7-game series.

The way few teams were trying to avoid the them in the last seasons Playoffs when the Lakers were struggling to even make it there, with an injury-plagued squad, solidifies Brons significance as an undisputed king of the league at this age.

Also read: LeBron James anger deemed righteous by Pacers fan after Lakers superstar got hecklers ejected

If James somehow wins another title, he will surely be head to head with Michael Jordan to be the GOAT just because of his longevity and unmatched basketball IQ.

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"LeBron James is the Michael Jordan of my generation": Lakers teammate Malik Monk heaps praises of the King... - The Sportsrush