Food and our genes: Reversing aging at a cellular level. Dr. Dean Ornish , has directed revolutionary research showing how changing our diet can actually change our genes. Downregulating genes that cause chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and other mechanisms causing disease, and upregulating genes that facilitate better health is possible by modifying lifestyle. In his study he found that hundreds of oncogenes that promote prostate cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and other conditions were switched off in only three months of following a vegan diet. This amazing research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences . Let s go a little in depth in understanding the factors that affect aging . A lot of research which seems very promising is being conducted on anti ageing genes called sirtuins . Glycation is a natural process whereby the sugar in the bloodstream attaches to proteins and fats , forming new and harmful highly oxidant molecules called advanced glycation end products , appropriately abbreviated as AGE . AGEs suppress the anti ageing genes sirtuins , thus making one age faster . AGEs contribute to inflammation , tissue stiffness and oxidative stress in our body . AGEs also occur in our diet, especially more so in meat and the way it is cooked . In contrast carbohydrate rich whole foods like vegetables , fruits and whole grains in their natural forms contain relatively few AGEs even after cooking . That is why eating a whole foods plant based way of eating is so beneficial. Calorie restriction is another factor that has been shown to slow down ageing process in animals , in part by reducing AGE. It also increases autophagy, a process by which our body detoxifies and cleans out damaged cells and reduces chronic inflammation. Autophagy happens with Intermittent Fasting as calorie restriction is often automatic in such cases . Limiting animal protein reduces another protein enzyme called TOR and lowering TOR extends life. Another study found that a plant based diet downregulates TOR, prolonging life. Plants especially cruciferous vegetables suchas cauliflower, broccoliand fruits such as blueberries and strawberries, inhibit TOR . Green Tea , turmeric and soy milk also downregulates TOR. Ends of our chromosomes that regulate aging are called telomeres. As we get older our telomeres shorten . Shorter telomeres are associated with increased risk of heart disease, prostate cancer, breast cancer , colon cancer, type 2 diabetes etc. A plant based diet for as short a time as 3 months, repairs and lengthen s telomeres. This is reversing aging at a cellular level as has been described by The Lancet Oncology . All the above shows that our genes are a predisposition, but our genes are not our fate . Our DNA is not our destiny . Through our diet and lifestyle we can change the way our genes express themselves. #antiageing#chronicdiseases#prevention#nutrition#vegandiet#genesandaging Dr. Sanchita MBBS, Certificate in Evidence Based Nutrition : Harvard , TH Chan School of Public Health Holistic Health Physician and Coach .
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