High-protein diets are everywhere nowadays. From protein bowls in grocery stores to protein bars for snacking, they’re a popular choice for many.
However, recent research suggests that reducing certain proteins, especially meat, might be key to healthy aging.
The surprising reason lies in a smelly gas called hydrogen sulphide (H2S). Although it’s toxic when inhaled and is responsible for the smell of rotten eggs, inside the body, it plays a beneficial role.
Longevity research has shown that less can be more with food. Studies on various organisms, from yeast to monkeys, have shown that a restricted diet can significantly extend a healthy lifespan.
These diets usually involve reducing the intake of sulfur-containing amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. In rats, such diets have increased longevity by about 30%.
Collaborative research has shown that restricting two specific sulfur amino acids, cysteine and methionine, increases H2S production in animal tissues. This leads to a range of health benefits like better cardiovascular health and resistance to liver disease.
Earlier this year, a significant study using data from the NHANES III U.S. national nutrition survey found that humans also benefit from reduced intake of these sulfur amino acids.
The study linked lower intake to reduced risk factors for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Eat Less Meat for Longer Life?
This research suggests that cutting back on foods high in sulfur amino acids, like meat, dairy, and eggs, could promote healthy aging and reduce chronic disease risks.
In North America, our average intake of these amino acids is about 2.5 times higher than needed, mainly due to the high consumption of red meat, dairy, and eggs. Switching to plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, and legumes can help reduce this intake.
However, it’s worth noting that soy protein is high in sulfur amino acids, and not all vegetables are low in them. It’s also important for children, who need sulfur amino acids for growth, not to adopt such restricted diets.
Broader Implications of H2S
H2S might seem like an unlikely candidate for promoting health, but it’s becoming increasingly clear how crucial it is. Besides its role in aging, H2S has been shown to reduce inflammation, potentially offering new treatments for conditions like arthritis.
Pharmaceutical companies are exploring ways to safely deliver H2S to where it’s needed in the body. Such developments could allow people to reap the health benefits of increased tissue H2S without drastically changing their diets.
This research underlines the importance of ongoing exploration into diet and health. Understanding how substances like H2S function in the body could lead to significant advancements in how we approach healthy aging and disease prevention.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about why vitamin K is so important for older people, and this snack food may harm your heart rhythm.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about vitamin that may protect you from type 2 diabetes, and results showing this common chemical in food may harm your blood pressure.
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