During the review of scientific literature, I came across certain observations which have bearing on our health and longevity. These observations though scientifically established, but never placed under one umbrella. These rules are discussed here:-
Rule number 1. More food, more calories, faster growth (ageing) and accelerated reproduction. When food is abundant, the animal grows faster, attains maturity faster and joins the reproductive pool. During the time of food scarcity, the reverse happens. The growth is slower, sexual maturation is delayed resulting in delayed reproduction. In todays world, food and calories are abundant. Even poor are getting more than adequate calories. Malnourishment if any, primarily pertains to micronutrients, essential fatty acids and proteins (essential amino acids) but not in calories. Today’s children are attaining puberty much earlier than their parents or grandparents. Review by Camella Ekart Lind and others, had found that the age of thelarche (Development of breast among girls) has decreased at a rate of 0.24 years (almost 3 months) per decade from 1977 to 2013. (JAMA, Worldwide Secular Trends in Age at Pubertal Onset Assessed by Breast Development Among Girls). Early puberty is the norm, specially in urban areas. Age of Menarche in girls has reduced to 8-10 years in well fed girls from 15-18 years earlier. The boys are also developing pubertal features much earlier. Diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks etc used to occur in 7th or 8th decade are now appearing much early in 4th or 5th decade. It is not surprising to see an adult of 35-40 years age having diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension. Its all due to accelerated ageing. If we want to live longer and healthier, we should consume foods less in calories but high in nutrients. Todays food is just opposite; High in calories and low in nutrients.
Rule 2. You are what your mother, grandmother and great grandmother were. Environmental influences during in utero life affects offspring and this information is passed up to seven generations. That’s epigenetics. In a study by Yagnik and colleagues, it was found that Indian children, even though lighter than their British counterparts, had higher levels of insulin. No doubt Indian develop diseases like diabetes much earlier than their western counterparts as growing evidence suggests that the hyperinsulinemia (high insulin levels) may be the central point in generation of chronic diseases. There is a view in scientific literature that high levels of insulin (Hyperinsulinemia) is primarily caused by high intake of refined and processed carbohydrates, sugar sweetened beverages and sugar. Good nutritional practices’ may prevent hyperinsulinemia. Effect of faulty diets are passed to off spring who will develop these diseases later. If we have to improve health and longevity of our society as a whole, we must not only improve nutrition of girls but also educate mothers regarding the principles of correct nutrition.
Rule 3. What you ate is important, but what was the the source of what you ate is more important. In 1956, ‘Minamata disease‘ was linked Methyl mercury poisoning due to fish consumption contaminated with mercury. As early as 1940, Sir Albert Howard published ‘An Agricultural Testament’ highlighting the role of soil quality in crop production. Todays crops are grown in agricultural lands, devoid of microbial diversity and heavily treated with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. It has affected our health adversely. Fortunately the concept of natural farming (Ancient Indian agricultural practices) is again coming back with renewed name as Organic Farming. The food grown with natural fertilizers (organic farming) is much more richer in micronutrients than grown in modern agricultural lands. New varieties of wheat developed by scientists have totally different composition of macro and micronutrients than ancient wheat consumed by our grandparents. The health effect of such varieties has not been studied on a long term basis. The composition of meat is different in commercially raised animals and wild animals. The animal raised in commercial farms are fed mainly on grains and their meat is rich in N-6 PUFA, while meat of wild animals or animal grown is natural environment is rich in N-3 PUFA. N-6 PUFA are inflammatory in nature while N-3 are anti inflammatory. Organically grown food should be preferred for a good health. Source of food is most important for health.
Rule 4. Only energy efficient system will survive. We don’t like fuel gulping cars. A car with similar power and looks, but with better mileage will be preferred by all. Nature also works like this. If calorie intake is high, ageing process is accelerated (see Rule number 1). Some people believe that they can eat whatever they want and burn excess calories by extra exercise. Such people are considered like fuel inefficient cars by nature. I have seen that physically fit and lean people, who eat a lot, developing heart problems. The dictum “Party Hard and Workout Hard” will be counterproductive in long turn. Physical exercise in combination with lesser calories will be the key for protection against chronic diseases. As discussed earlier our food should be ‘Nutrient Dense and Calorie Sparse’ not otherwise. We have to show the nature that we are energy efficient systems not food gulping bodies.
Rule 5. Body works on feedback mechanism. Our body works on a feedback mechanism. The body parts which are not used become atrophied. Look at the hand of the patient (who sustained a fracture hand), whose plaster has been removed after four weeks. The hand becomes thin and the joint becomes stiff. Its all due to disuse atrophy. As the age advances, there is a decay in body functions. To keep the feedback loop on, one should be active physically, mentally and socially. Regular exercise helps in maintaining muscle and bone strength and postural stability. Fall is the biggest enemy of elderly people. To keep mental function on, one must develop habits of learning new skills and keep the brain challenged. It will help develop new neuron connections and helps to counter dreaded diseases of old age; Dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Summary: Lets summarize the rules of health and longevity:-
(1) More food, more calories, faster ageing; Eat lesser calories. Food must be nutrient dense and calorie sparse.
(2) You are what your mother, and grandmother or great grandmother was. Its important to improve nutrition of girls.
(3) What you ate is important, but source of food determines its nutrition value. Prefer organically grown food.
(4) Only energy efficient system will survive. Keep yourself energy efficient by consuming less calories.
(5) Body works on feedback mechanism. Keep yourself active physically, mentally and socially.
