The secret of healthy aging could be a proper.
According to new research with fruit flies, a diet with adequate protein mixture could be one of the keys to enjoying a healthy and long life.
Scientists have discovered that manipulating the amount of a unit of protein ingested by fruit flies can extend your life expectancy, without producing side effects in other physiological functions, such as fertility.
Although the effect has not yet been identified in mammals – for example, in mice – promises to shed light on the biological pathways involved in human aging. The hope is that, over time, may be possible to manipulate these pathways with drugs, in order to make people live longer.
The investigation of the aging process has previously indicated that a severe restriction of the diet (so that only consumed enough calories to prevent malnutrition and starvation), may increase life expectancy in some organisms, including nematode worms , fruit flies, mice and monkeys.
However, it is unclear whether this effect is extended to humans and is unlikely to be a feasible option. The diets referred to are so restrictive that they would be very difficult to maintain for people and also eliminate the fertility in animals as a side effect.
The new research, conducted by a team from the Institute of Healthy Aging at University College, London, suggests that similar benefits could be obtained from a more complete diet that avoids this risk, balanced properly.
In the study, published in the journal Nature, the scientists compared fruit flies fed different diets. The diets varied in caloric value and its balance of vitamins, fats and amino acids (the building blocks of proteins).
The researchers found that an amino acid called methionine had a particularly significant. When it was added to a diet low in calories, the result was a higher life expectancy without a reduction in fertility. A reduced intake of methionine in an otherwise complete diet also had a similar effect.
“Carefully manipulating the balance of amino acids in the diet, we were able to maximize both: life expectancy and fertility,” said Matthew Piper, a member of the team that conducted the study. “This indicates that it is possible to extend life expectancy without extreme dietary restriction and without the unfortunate consequence of reduced reproductive capacity.
Methionine is found at high levels in foods such as sesame seeds, Brazil nuts, wheat germ, fish and meat.
Dr. Piper said it was too early to know what type of diet could be more valuable, but that the research raises some questions about protein-rich schemes, such as the Atkins diet.
“Formerly we used to think that the amount of protein was so important to our diet,” she said. “We have now shown that in flies-and is probably also the case for other organisms-the balance of amino acids in the diet can affect health in later life. If it is also the case in humans, then the type of protein is more important. ”
“It’s not as simple as saying ‘eat less nuts’ or ‘eat more nuts’ to live longer. It’s about getting the right balance of proteins, a factor that could be especially important for high-protein diets like the Atkins diet or protein supplements for bodybuilders.
Tags: healthy and long life, Healthy Lifestyle, nutrition, secret of healthy
