Cut calories by 10%, take fruit & veggies to 5-7 servings: How to delay ageing because of diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most damaging diseases which can decrease life. Our recent research shows that even prediabetes decreases lifespan, says Dr Anoop Misra, Chairman, Fortis CDOC Hospital for Diabetes and Allied Sciences

A 69-year-old patient asked me, "Doc, I want to live more. How can I add years to my life? I want my life to be long, useful and not dependent on others." A fair question. But the answer is not easy. Take the inhabitants of Okinawa a small island south of Japan), which is known for many people living up to 100 years and more. You will find a small Japanese inscription on a small plaque in the village of Ogimi there: "At 80, you are merely a youth. At 90, if your ancestors invite you into heaven, ask them to wait until you are 100 - then, you might consider it."

The global debate for increasing longevity invariably centres on the inhabitants of this island.

Okinawans eat fewer calories (much comes from sweet potatoes) and have plenty of vegetables, including bitter melon. They eat seaweed and spices, including turmeric, like in India.

Interestingly, the diet contains 10 parts carbohydrates and one part protein (Okinawan ratio), unlike most of the currently trending diets. A tight social fabric and relatively hassle-free active life helps. The genetic make-up of people also contributes to good health; they have low quantity of bad genes (APOE4) and good amount of metabolism-friendly genes (FOXO3). Where can we find such clean air, idyllic settings and such genes?

Unfortunately, most urban areas in India have an atmosphere to the contrary and a worsening lifestyle

Read more in my piece in Indian Express

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health-specials/diabetes-calories-diet-health-tips-ageing-8297517/