diet

Mediterranean diet and reduced calorie intake promote brain health and longevity

Sunday, January 08, 2012 by: John Phillip
Tags: Mediterranean Diet, lifespan, longevity

Pin It
(NaturalNews) Researchers have long theorized that a Mediterranean diet full of vegetables, fruit, fish, nuts, seeds and olive oil can help promote good health. Scientists at the Sahlgrenska Academy in Sweden reporting in the European journal AGE provide the unanimous results: four independent studies demonstrate this style of eating not only lowers the risk from many chronic and potentially fatal diseases, but actually also extends healthy lifespan in aging adults. A separate research body appearing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) explains that calorie restriction or consuming about twenty-five percent fewer calories each day, turns on a molecule that helps the brain stay young. Extrapolating the results of both studies suggests that following a Mediterranean diet with fewer calories may provide a valuable key to preserving memory, lowering risk of serious illness and extending a healthy life span.

Swedish researchers studied the effects of a Mediterranean diet on older people in the Swiss population. They developed a unique study designed to compare 70-year-olds, who eat a Mediterranean diet, with others, who have eaten more meat and animal products. The intent was to confirm the positive results suggested by a myriad of studies over the past decade that found a diet low in animal meats and high in fresh vegetables and monounsaturated fats can improve health and extend lifespan.

Mediterranean Diet Extends Lifespan by Twenty Percent

The result of the study indicated that those who eat a Mediterranean diet have a 20% higher chance of living longer. The study leader, Dr. Gianluca Tognon, commented: "This means in practice that older people who eat a Mediterranean diet live an estimated two to three years longer than those who don't". Three additional studies awaiting publication support these results. Dr. Tognon concluded: "there is no doubt that a Mediterranean diet is linked to better health, not only for the elderly but also for youngsters."

An independent study found that overeating may cause brain aging while eating less turns on a molecule that helps the brain stay young. Italian researchers demonstrated that a molecule called CREB1 is triggered by a calorie restricted diet and activates many genes linked to longevity and to the proper functioning of the brain. Calorie restriction is defined as eating 25 to 30 percent less than normal while maintaining optimal nutrition.

Researchers conducting the study concluded: "This discovery has important implications to develop future dietary therapies to keep our brain young and prevent brain degeneration and the aging process." Compiling the available scientific evidence shines a critical light on how the type of food we consume (Mediterranean diet) and the quantity (Calorie Restriction with Optimal Nutrition) can help prevent premature brain aging and lower the risk of cognitive decline as we age.

Sources for this article include:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/j2461246wnj2m148/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111220154122.htm
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-12/uog-mdg122011.php
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-12/cuor-elk121611.php

About the author:
John Phillip is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your Free 48 page copy of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan'.

Get breaking news alerts on GMOs, fluoride, superfoods, natural cures and more...
Join over four million monthly readers. Email privacy 100% protected. Unsubscribe at any time.

Articles Related to This Article:

Plant-Based Diets: An Overview of Options for Optimal Health

The Mediterranean Diet Reduces Mortality From All Causes

Health blogger threatened with jail time for advocating Paleo diet that cured his diabetes

Eat a gluten-free diet for type 2 diabetes and celiac disease

Low-Carb Diets Do Not Have to be Stressful or Boring

The Dukan Diet is just another dangerous high-protein fad

Related video from NaturalNews.TV


Your NaturalNews.TV video could be here.
Upload your own videos at NaturalNews.TV (FREE)

Have comments on this article? Post them here:

comments powered by Disqus

Related Articles:

Plant-Based Diets: An Overview of Options for Optimal Health

The Mediterranean Diet Reduces Mortality From All Causes

Health blogger threatened with jail time for advocating Paleo diet that cured his diabetes

Eat a gluten-free diet for type 2 diabetes and celiac disease

Low-Carb Diets Do Not Have to be Stressful or Boring

The Dukan Diet is just another dangerous high-protein fad

Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com

Email this article to a friend

Permalink to this article:

Reprinting this article: Non-commercial use OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.

Embed article link: (copy HTML code below):
Most Popular
Today | Week | Month | Year

See all Top Headlines...




GET YOUR FREE GIFT + SHOW DETAILS.


Now Available from NaturalNews.TV

Also on NaturalNews:

Health Ranger Videos
Activist music
CounterThink Cartoons
Food documentaries
FREE Special Reports
Podcasts
Colloidal Silver
Advertise with NaturalNews...

Support NaturalNews Sponsors:
Advertise with NaturalNews...

Most Popular Stories

U.S. dairy industry petitions FDA to approve aspartame as hidden, unlabeled additive in milk, yogurt, eggnog and cream
EXPOSED: Angelina Jolie part of a clever corporate scheme to protect billions in BRCA gene patents, influence Supreme Court decision (opinion)
Prominent rifle manufacturer killed in mysterious car crash days after posting psych drug link to school shooters
How Angelina Jolie was duped by cancer doctors into self mutilation for breast cancer she never had
Angelina Jolie inspires women to maim themselves by celebrating medically perverted double mastectomies
Facebook bans Gandhi quote as part of revisionist history purge
McDonald's closing all restaurants in Bolivia as nation rejects fast food
BREAKING: European Commission to criminalize nearly all seeds and plants not registered with government
Obama betrays America yet again by signing the 'Monsanto Protection Act' into law
It's on! Farmers begin suing Monsanto over genetic pollution of wheat crops
GMO feed turns pig stomachs to mush! Shocking photos reveal severe damage caused by GM soy and corn
Monsanto hires infamous mercenary firm Blackwater to track activists around the world

25 Amazing Facts About Food

This FREE downloadable report unveils a collection of astonishing and little-known facts about the food we eat very day. Click here to read it now...

 

Resveratrol and its Effects on Human Health and Longevity - Myth or Miracle.

Unlock the secrets of cellular health with the "miracle" nutrient Resveratrol Click here to read it now...

 

Nutrition Can Save America

FREE online report shows how we can save America through a nutrition health care revolution. "Eating healthy is patriotic!" Click here to read it now...

The Healing Power of Sunlight and Vitamin D

In this exclusive interview, Dr. Michael Holick reveals fascinating facts on how vitamin D is created and used in the human body to ward off chronic diseases like cancer, osteoporosis, mental disorders and more. Click here to read it now...

Vaccines: Get the Full Story

The International Medical Council on Vaccination has released, exclusively through NaturalNews.com, a groundbreaking document containing the signatures of physicians, brain surgeons and professors, all of which have signed on to a document stating that vaccines pose a significant risk of harm to the health of children. Click here to read it now...

Health Ranger Storable Organics

GMO-free, chemical-free foods and superfoods for long-term storage and preparedness. See selection at www.StorableOrganics.com



Recommended Resources On:

Natural News trends
Health Ranger news
Natural News GMOs
Mike Adams tracker
Natural News photos
Natural News Global
Natural News in focus
Natural News connect
Natural News shocking stories
Natural News radar
GMOs
Quackwatch
Vaccines
Health freedom
Dr. Paul Offit

This site is part of the Natural News Network © 2013 All Rights Reserved. Privacy | Terms All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing International, LTD. is not responsible for content written by contributing authors. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms and those published here. All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.