Thoughout my research of cancer… I have always been astonished with new options. While researcher Dr. Valter Longo brings delightful insight as Director of the University of Southern California’s Longevity Institute is more then enough. In his research concerning why we age and approaches that may reduce the risk of developing age — related diseases.
While Dr. Longo has been studying fasting for many years and is keenly adherent to it. He lives by what he preaches through a low protein, high vegetable diet and here’s the reason. Through his grand parents lived in a part of Italy, that has an extraordinary high concentration of long – lived people and he always had a curiosity to the reason why.
It wasn’t until he started to study “Dwarfism in Ecuador,” and a genetic defect called, “Laron Syndrome;” which is an extremely rare condition that affects fewer than 300 people in the entire world. One – third reside in the remote mountain side of southern Ecuador. Those with “Laron Syndrome” have a mutation in their growth hormone receptor (GHR) and a low – level of Insulin – like growth factor – 1 (IGF – 1.)
Dr. Longo says, “through his study he has never came across a single case of someone with L.S. ever dying of cancer. Disappointing, however, is that anyone expecting that IGF – 1 will provide a secret of immorality… you may be gravely mistaken. Those with Laron Syndrome usually never practice a healthy lifestyle and live no more than 85 years old (while being disease free years.)
This hormone known as IGF – 1 and the sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone; which is associated with a greater risk for cancer. Its this connection having been recognized for many years. That plays a key role in tumor growth, whereas, reducing IGF – 1 levels by dietary constraint is now considered by scientist to be an effective cancer preventive measure.
Being IGF – 1 is crucial for growth and development in childhood, it also speeds aging, reduces immune function and promotes cancer. Our nations mistaken over emphasis on protein and resulting elevation of IGF – 1 levels, having clearly played a destructive course in the exploding cancer epidemic. And with the path that Obamacare is taking, someday this blog post and the information maybe vital when cancer becomes home remedy.
Therefore, excessive intake of refined carbohydrates can have an adverse effect on IGF – 1 levels as well. The intake of those carbohydrates can lead to an increase in production of insulin. Which regulates energy metabolism (increasing IGF -1 levels and decrease production of IGF – binding protein) which can cause diabetes and cancer.
Type II diabetes in which the body can’t properly use the insulin there is, and this is associated with breast, colon and pancreatic cancer. Being there is evidence, insulin meditated stimulation of IGF – 1 production is partially responsible for this increase in cancer. Due to decrease secretion of growth hormones (GH) and IGF – 1 levels naturally declining with age.
It’s this effect of reduced IGF -1 and low levels of systemic inflammation, that has been proposed as the mechanism by which centenarians (those 100 years or older) are protected from disease. Cellular inflammation is caused by excessive “free radicals” and “reactive oxygen species” and can be also prevented by proper nutrition. So in general: if you want to live and thrive, it requires low levels of IGF -1 hormones combined with high levels of anti- inflammatory molecules.
Gene signaling to enhance cells DNA repair mechanisms to fight changes that could lead to cancer are supported by high levels of anti inflammatory molecules and plant micro nutrients lower levels of IGF -1. It’s this combine effect of a high phytochemical diet that reduces inflammation and oxidative stress. Couple with reduction in IGF -1 is the source to maximizing longevity and oxidative stress.
Thereby, it is plant protein that works best at reducing circulating levels of IGF -1 through fasting. Which appears to switch on a number of repair genes that helps provide for disease protection. Another important aspect is caloric restriction, for example, what caloric restriction does is switch your body into a process called autophagy. Which breaks down and recycles old and tired cells…. so in terms of survival ….fast away your cancer?