EAT-Lancet And Plant-Based Diets, Plasma Metabolomic Signatures, And Biological Aging
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to age more gracefully than others, even if they are the same chronological age? This difference can be attributed to “biological aging,” which reflects the actual health and function of your body’s cells and tissues, rather than just the number of years you’ve lived. Recent research has explored how our dietary choices, particularly plant-based eating patterns, influence this biological aging process.
The EAT-Lancet diet, a globally recommended eating plan designed for both human health and environmental sustainability, emphasizes a high intake of plant foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts, with moderate amounts of seafood, poultry, and dairy, and limited red meat and sugary items. This dietary approach, along with other healthful plant-based diets, has been found to be associated with a slower rate of biological aging. This means that individuals following these diets may experience a reduced risk of age-related health issues.
Conversely, not all plant-based diets are created equal. “Unhealthful” plant-based diets, which might include highly processed plant-based foods, sugary drinks, and refined grains, were linked to an accelerated biological aging process. This highlights the importance of the quality of plant-based foods consumed.
To understand how these diets affect aging, scientists looked at “metabolomic signatures.” These are patterns of small molecules (metabolites) in our blood that reflect our diet, lifestyle, and internal biological processes. By analyzing these signatures, researchers can identify specific pathways through which different diets influence our bodies at a molecular level. These findings suggest that the unique mix of nutrients and compounds in healthful plant-based diets, including the EAT-Lancet diet, can positively impact our cellular health and potentially slow down the aging clock. This opens doors for more personalized nutrition advice, tailoring dietary recommendations based on an individual’s unique metabolic profile to promote healthy aging.
Source: link to paper