I’m pretty selective about what I eat. Nothing is more important to maintain good health and a slim physique than proper diet. Most of us agree on that. The argument usually arises when we attempt to define “proper diet.” Some insist on a vegetarian diet, while others proclaim meat to be a necessary staple. Which is it? And how can we know?
I question everything (even my wife’s cooking after seven years of perfect cuisine). And instead of accepting anyone’s opinion about matters related to my health – no matter how famous they are or how many books they’ve sold – I look to biochemistry for my answers.
One of the main factors to consider with your diet is the relative amount of glycation that occurs when you eat various foods. Glycation – a biochemical change that’s associated with aging – is a result of excess glucose (sugar) in the blood. Aside from causing unsightly wrinkles and age spots, it can destroy muscles, joints, and the cardiovascular system. A simple blood test is used to measure it.
In a paper titled “Would carnosine or a carnivorous diet help suppress aging and associated pathologies?”- published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences – scientists found that vegetarians have more glycation than meat eaters. The reason? Vegetarian diets lack some important anti-glycation compounds. These include carnosine, a full spectrum of B vitamins, and acetyl-L-carnitine.
Vegetables, of course, provide tons of other nutritive compounds, notably those with anti-cancer properties. Therefore, I recommend eating both veggies (organic) and meat (grass-fed), locally produced whenever possible. Maintaining a good balance of vegetables and meat will help you slow the aging process… and stay lean.
[Ed. Note: Shane Ellison's entire career has been dedicated to the study of molecules - how they give life and how they take from it. He was a two-time recipient of the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Grant for his research in biochemistry and physiology. He is a bestselling author, holds a master's degree in organic chemistry, and has first-hand experience in drug design. Take advantage of his knowledge and insights to look and feel your best in 90 days.]
Similar Articles:
- The Effect of the “Mediterranean Diet” on Alzheimer’s – The so-called "Mediterranean diet" has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. Now…
- Another Reason to Lower Your Glycemic Load – Instead of worrying so much about the amount of fat you’re eating, start keeping track of your diet’…
- Meat: Clean, Lean, and Green – Should I eat meat? At some point, just about everyone asks themselves that question. As you know fro…
- Don’t AGE Yourself With Your Cooking – The way you cook may be just as important to your health as the food itself. "Advanced glycatio…
- The Truth About the Latest Low-Carb vs. Low-Fat Diet Controversy – Diets don’t work. At least that’s what The New York Times makes of the disappointing results of a re…
- A Little-Known Hero in the Battle Against Aging – One of the primary causes of problems related to aging – not just the outward signs of aging but als…
- Anti-Aging Strategies From the Longest-Lived People in the World – Recently, I interviewed Dan Buettner, whose latest book, The Blue Zones, is a veritable treasure tro…