The Secret to Youthfulness—70% Full at Every Meal
Nutritionists say you are what you eat, and this golden rule for staying young is not profound at all. What we lack is persistence!
Eating less often yields dramatic results. An American experiment showed that mice that reduced their food intake by 30% lived 30% longer.
More incredibly, a thin person's heart may be 10 to 15 years younger than an obese person's. Other related data shows that individuals who restrict their calorie intake have significantly improved insulin levels and reduced signs of DNA damage. Scientists believe that controlling food intake can reduce the damage high blood sugar inflicts on tissues, lower the incidence of inflammation, and reduce free radicals (the main culprits of aging).
Sugar is the Most Aging
High-sugar foods often contain large amounts of rapidly absorbed sugars, which can cause blood sugar to spike in a short time. Over the long term, this can lead to diabetes, which accelerates the aging process and causes the body's other organs to deteriorate faster. Therefore, it's best to return to the old habit of a primarily vegetarian diet. But be mindful of eating fewer potatoes, as they can increase the risk of diabetes by 30%. Whole wheat, brown rice, and pasta made from crushed wheat are better choices.
Let Your Palate Fall in Love with Vegetables and Fish
Eat as many different kinds of vegetables as possible every day—the reasons should be obvious. Also, seafood lovers, take note: don't assume all seafood is good. What we actually need are the rich fatty acids found in fish, which can prevent sudden cardiac death, slow down depression, Alzheimer's disease, bone spurs, and vision loss. Fatty acids are abundant in salmon, sardines, and trout. Good fatty acids are also plentiful in some nuts like walnuts, as well as in corn oil, castor oil, and olive oil. Eat less fried food, margarine, and other unhealthy fatty acids.
Eat More Curry to Stay Young
Curcumin, the spicy pigment in curry that gives it its yellow color, is also a potential chemical anti-aging agent. In India, this substance is often used to dress wounds. In East Asia, curry is widely used, which is why the incidence of various cancers, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's is relatively lower. If you don't like the taste of Indian food, it's best to supplement with 500mg to 1000mg of curcumin daily.
Double Your Vitamin D Intake
If you have to supplement with just one vitamin, experts recommend Vitamin D. Vitamin D is produced by the skin when exposed to sunlight, but this process gradually weakens as we age. Currently, about half of the population is deficient in Vitamin D. This deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, hardening of the arteries, and various cancers. No other vitamin is so commonly deficient unless you can supplement it by eating large amounts of fish.