AGING: WHAT TO DO TO PREVENT IT - HEALTH-OF THE ELDERLY

The three roads of longevity

One way to tackle the fight against aging is to consider it as a long journey along three paths *. The first path is based on current therapies, which exploit the most recent and modern advances in the medical and biotechnology fields. This first path leads us to face a second one, which consists of the full biotechnological revolution that we will probably see in the coming years.

(*) In the original text (see bibliography) reference is made to bridges and not to roads. The author of this article has preferred to adopt this similarity because he believes that the road best embodies the ideal of that fascinating journey that will lead man to the conquest of a more serene and boundless longevity.

The first way: what to do without the help of third parties

Diet

Read also: diet and aging

There are four sources of calories: carbohydrates (4 Kcal / g), proteins (4 Kcal / g), fats (9 Kcal / g) and alcohol (7 Kcal / g). Each person can make positive choices or negative for each of these nutrients. Not all carbohydrates, for example, are bad but there are good (complex) and dangerous ones (sugars). The same thing can be said for alcohol, proteins and fats.
Whole grains, legumes, most of the vegetables and most of the fruit (excluding sugary ones such as figs, grapes, bananas, persimmons, etc.) are excellent sources of carbohydrates. These foods have a glycemic index rather low, consequently they avoid the onset of high glycemic peaks after the meal. The "bad" carbohydrates, on the other hand, after being ingested, cause a significant increase in the concentration of blood glucose, which predisposes to obesity and, in the long run, favors the onset of type two diabetes. All foods with a high glycemic index belong to this category, such as refined cereals and their derivatives, sugar, tubers such as potatoes, and sugary fruit, especially when fully ripe. All these foods should therefore be consumed in moderation.
Fish and various seafood products, white meat, soy and other legumes, are excellent sources of "good" protein. They are decidedly less healthy protein sources such as red meat, too rich in saturated fatty acids, and egg yolk, too rich in cholesterol and arachidonic acid, a substance from which the so-called "inflammatory cascade" originates.
Fish, fish oil, olive oil, avocado, toasted (but not salted) dried fruit and seeds are excellent sources of dietary lipids. Poor quality fats are found in fried foods, margarines and tropical oils. .

Finally, red wine is rich in phytochemicals with antioxidant and protective activity, first of all resveratrol. If consumed during meals in one, maximum two glasses, it can therefore be considered a healthy drink. On the other hand, spirits and alcohol consumption on an empty stomach, during pregnancy, breastfeeding or before reaching adulthood should be banned. Beer, due to the high amylose content that gives it a high glycemic index, it is considered by some to be a bad source of alcohol. For others, due to the moderate content of B vitamins, folates and antioxidant agents, it can be consumed in moderation instead of wine, without exceeding 500cc per day.