Eat THIS to live longer?

Let’s continue our longevity discussion from Tuesday…

We’ve talked about staying active and preventing falls. But today I’d like to look at another crucial aspect of living a longer, healthier life…

Your diet.

Specifically, I’m focusing on a nutrient many of us might not be getting enough of—and the result could be cutting years off of your life.

According to a new study, a lower intake of THIS in mid-life translated to a higher death risk in later life.

Intrigued? You should be. Because this isn’t just about adding time to your life—it’s also about adding vigor to your time.

Let’s dive in…

Three bonus years

If you want to stay strong and healthy as a senior, you should start rethinking your protein intake immediately.

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 8,000 men. The participants, aged 45 to 68 at the start, were followed for up to 57 years.

It turns out, those who ate the most protein extended their life by nearly three years. And this finding remained consistent regardless of consuming plant or animal proteins.

Now, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is way too low in my opinion—at just 0.8 grams (g) per kilogram (kg) of body weight. (If you don’t know what a kg is, divide your body weight in pounds by 2.)

I consistently recommend 1.5 g of protein per kg of body weight to maintain lean muscle mass—or 2 g of protein per kg of body weight if you’re trying to gain muscle.

So, I can’t help but to wonder if longevity would expand even more with a higher intake of protein?

Even so, these findings showcase that what we eat absolutely matters when it comes to health and longevity. (And yes, food quality matters. Stop eating concoctions out of a test kitchen/lab!)

Boost your intake

For now, let’s suffice it to say that we need primary care doctors to advise patients about the importance of macronutrients—protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

But the medical system as it currently stands is afraid of nutritional counseling. I’ve been practicing for 30 years—and this has always been the case.

Most doctors aren’t able to have an informed conversation about food. And they’re still fearful and dismissive of the guidance that real experts in the field have to offer patients.

So, allow me to break down some protein advice for you…

The easiest way to amp up your protein intake is to include it with every meal.

I’m talking about grass-fed and -finished meat, organic poultry, wild-caught fish and seafood, eggs, nuts, and even a whey protein shake. (For more on the benefits of whey protein, just enter “whey” in the search box on my website.)

For additional ways to boost your longevity, I encourage you to check out my innovative, online learning tool—my Ultimate Anti-Aging Protocol.

Until next time,

Dr. Fred

Source:

“Lower Protein Intake In Midlife May Increase Mortality Risk.” MDedge, 05/14/2024. (mdedge.com/internalmedicine/article/269178/geriatrics/lower-protein-intake-midlife-may-increase-mortality-risk)