Longevity medicine focuses on a number of active ingredients secreted by the human body (vitamins, hormones) or present in nature (plants) due to their anti-aging properties. In the future, they could prevent the appearance of certain diseases and delay our planned obsolescence!
1. Polyphenols
What is this ?
These molecules present in fruits and vegetables, coffee, tea, red wine… are the subject of numerous scientific publications demonstrating their anti-oxidant properties.
Their anti-aging virtues
By protecting us against tissue oxidation, polyphenols prevent inflammatory reactions that cause many diseases (cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.). Certain polyphenols (in citrus fruits) act more particularly against cardiovascular diseases, others (in coffee) against excess cholesterol or against diabetes (in red fruits).
In practice
Add color to your plates: Polyphenols are present in all fruits and vegetables.
2. Vitamin D
What is this ?
This hormone is naturally secreted by our body under the action of UVB rays or via supplementation. It acts on bone mineralization by fixing the calcium that we absorb.
Its anti-aging virtues
It promotes muscle gain, strengthens the immune system and helps avoid inflammation. “Vitamin D controls the expression of more than 200 genes, including some regulate the proliferation of healthy and cancerous cells“, underlines Dr Christophe de Jaeger, doctor specializing in longevity research. In addition, scientific work has shown that people suffering from degenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) have very low levels of vitamin D.
In practice
Eat fatty fish (herring, mackerel), farm butter and dairy products regularly. For any supplementation, consult your doctor.
3. Melatonin
What is this ?
This hormone affects the quality of our sleep. Its nocturnal production slows the heart rate, relaxes the muscles and promotes sleep. It is now prescribed or freely available in pharmacies in cases of insomnia or sleep disorders linked to jet lag.
Its anti-aging virtues
It is secreted in large quantities between two and three in the morning, when the number of immune cells increases considerably in the blood, which helps defend us against viruses, bacteria and diseases in general. It is also an anti-oxidant sinceit destroys free radicals, these molecules which are at the origin of the aging of our tissues. Gold “Anti-oxidants reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancers., recalls the specialist. Melatonin reduces cholesterol levels, blood pressure and the risk of cardiac arrhythmia. Studies carried out in vitro on human cells have also shown that it can slow the progression of certain cancers (breast, lung, prostate) and European research has demonstrated thatit increased the effects of anti-cancer treatments. Since melatonin is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, it could play a role in preventing brain aging.
In practice
Prefer natural melatonin by improving the quality of your sleep: try not to delay your bedtime, close the screens two hours before and do not overheat your room.
4. Ginkgo biloba
What is this ?
This tree is itself a champion of longevity since it can live 1,000 years. These leaves are used (medications, herbal teas), particularly in cases of mild memory problems in the elderly.
Its anti-aging virtues
It has an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant action and also acts against cell death. So many properties that “in addition to having effects on cognition also have benefits in other processes related to aging, such as insulin resistance, vascularization, hypertension and cardiovascular disorders”specifies Dr De Jaeger.
In practice
Several medications based on ginkgo biloba address the symptoms of brain aging. Please note, in terms of food supplements, not all products are of equivalent quality, in terms of dosage and therefore effectiveness.
5. Spermidine
What is this ?
This organic compound is essential for the proper functioning of our cells. It is found in seminal fluid but also in many foods.
Its anti-aging virtues
Italian work shows that nonagenarians and centenarians have significantly higher levels of spermidine compared to other age groups. “We know that spermidine increases the ability of cells to regenerate but we need large-scale studies to find out more.”underlines Dr Bernard Sablonnière, professor of molecular biology at the University of Lille-II.
In practice
Spermidine is found in fermented cheeses (roquefort, blue) soy, mushrooms, broccoli…but also in the form of anti-aging food supplements.
A stable weight allows you to live longer
Living a long time (90 or 100 years) is more likely in women whose weight remains stable after 60 yearsaccording to a study published in the Journal of Gerontology. They are twice as likely to reach these ages as those who have lost 5% of their weight or more.
Is it useful to supplement?
“You should consult a doctor regardless of your age. More and more general practitioners are interested in longevity medicine. This preventive medicine is by definition individualized, not everyone ages in the same way. One person may need vitamin D or melatonin supplementation but another not at all, hence the importance of using dosages before prescribing anything. In addition, the doctor gives advice regarding diet and relatively intense and regular physical activity. Indeed, if the virtues of these assets are undoubted, they do not allow them alone, for the moment, to to live longer in good health.“
Thanks to Dr Christophe de Jaeger, geriatrician specializing in the study of the aging of the human body, author of Longevity Medicine: a revolution! Guy Trédaniel and founder of the De Jaeger Institute for Health and Longevity.
Read also :
Longevity: what should you eat to live longer?
Ginkgo biloba: the benefits and contraindications of this medicinal plant
4 habits to adopt every day to live longer, according to a neurosurgeon