Multivitamins and Longevity

Our telomeres are the protective ends of our strings of DNA. It's commonly accepted science that as we age, our telomeres reduce in size and ability to protect our DNS strings. In the absence of telomerase, the telomere will become shorter after each cell division. When it reaches a certain length, the cell may cease to divide and die. Therefore, telomerase plays a critical role in the aging process.

So this study tells me that the use of multivitamins actually extend our telomeres. Very, very good news.

This comes on the heels of another study report I just read on natural folate vs. synthetic folate, which makes the point that we are often told that multivitamin supplements are a waste of money, but we are never given the 'hard data' on what form of multivitamin was studied: natural or synthetic. So this study is an example of where natural supplement IS better.

No wonder it's confusing to the layperson; we simply don't haver the time nor drive to chase up these differentiations.

And where can we find natural folates? green, leafy vegetables, asparagus and lentils. That's not so hard, is it?

And of course if you just can't keep up your fresh, organic green leafies, try my favourite high speed life alternative here

What's for Dinner, Cassie? Dhal and Greens!

And while we are on the subject.. did you see that article of calorie restriction? A 20 year study at the University of Wisconsin has shown amazing results. Calorie restriction has already been demonstrated to enhance longevity in mice, but we've all been awaiting the results of this primate study. (Monkey to you)
Look at this pic of two 27 year old monkeys. Which one ate everything he could, and which one was calorie restricted?
If that's not enough, look at this one.
Before you empty your fridge, dieticians have a warning.

"Monkeys may be a close relation but there are significant differences which means not everything we see in them can be translated to humans," said Catherine Collins, spokeswoman for the British Dietetic Association.

"And there should be some serious reservations about cutting calories so dramatically, particularly for anyone under the age of 30. Any such diet would need to be very balanced to avoid malnutrition, and it would be a long-term commitment.

"People would have to weigh up whether they are prepared to compromise their enjoyment of food for the uncertain promise of a longer life, and a life which could be dogged by all sorts of problems - including osteoporosis."

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