The quest for eternal youth has been a sought-after elixir for centuries. From the legendary fountain of youth to the latest creams and serums, we’re constantly seeking ways to halt the march of time.
While there are no secret potions or magic wands, the promise of a diet that can slow the aging process and help us stay forever young sounds like a fairy tale. However, the ‘Forever Young Diet’ claims to hold that key.
What is the Forever Young Diet?
The Forever Young Diet was created by a Japanese chemist, Yoshinori Nagumo.
According to Nagumo, his diet is based on scientific principles and the premise that the right kinds of foods can activate our ‘longevity genes’, which can help us stay healthy and youthful for longer. The diet consists of several rules that cover what you can and cannot eat, as well as when you can eat.
What are the rules of the Forever Young Diet?
The Forever Young Diet is centered around the following principles:.
1. A Low-Calorie Diet
The Forever Young Diet involves limiting your calorie intake. According to Nagumo, this is because consuming fewer calories helps to slow down the aging process by reducing oxidative damage to the body’s cells.
This is why the diet is also referred to as the ‘Calorie Restriction Diet’. The diet requires women to consume a maximum of 1,200 calories a day, and men to consume no more than 1,500 calories a day.
2. A High-Nutrient Diet
The Forever Young Diet heavily emphasizes eating nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
These foods contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can help to protect the body from cellular damage and reduce inflammation. In particular, Nagumo recommends that you eat plenty of leafy greens and yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, as well as foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and avocado.
3. Limited Animal Products
The Forever Young Diet only allows small amounts of animal products, such as lean meat, dairy, and eggs. These foods are high in protein and can promote muscle growth and repair, but they can also lead to an inflammatory response in the body.
The diet stresses the importance of consuming animal products that are organic and free from antibiotics, hormones, and pesticide residues in order to limit exposure to harmful chemicals that can accelerate the aging process.
4. Intermittent Fasting
The Forever Young Diet also involves intermittent fasting, which is a pattern of eating that involves alternating between periods of eating and fasting.
The diet suggests that you eat within an eight-hour window and then fast for the remaining 16 hours of the day. This helps to give your digestive system a break and allows your body to focus on repairing and rejuvenating your cells.
5. Hydration
The Forever Young Diet stresses the importance of staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Nagumo recommends drinking at least eight glasses of water a day to keep the body’s cells healthy and hydrated.
Does the Forever Young Diet work?
There is no doubt that eating a healthy diet filled with nutrient-dense foods and limiting calorie intake can have a positive impact on health and longevity.
Studies have shown that following a calorie-restricted diet can help to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, as well as lower the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
However, the Forever Young Diet is a very strict eating plan that may not be sustainable for everyone.
The limited calorie intake and intermittent fasting can be difficult to stick to, and the diet may not provide enough energy and nutrients to support an active lifestyle.
Furthermore, the Forever Young Diet is not supported by a large body of scientific evidence, and there is limited research on its effectiveness in humans.
While the principles behind the diet are promising, more studies are needed to validate its claims of promoting longevity and preventing age-related diseases.
The Bottom Line
The Forever Young Diet is an interesting approach to eating for longevity and health.
It emphasizes eating nutrient-dense foods, limiting calorie intake, and intermittent fasting to activate our longevity genes and promote cellular repair and rejuvenation. However, while the principles behind the diet are promising, it may not be sustainable or practical for everyone and is lacking in significant scientific evidence.
As with any diet, one should consult a healthcare practitioner before embarking on the Forever Young Diet or any other diet program.