The role of genetics in longevity is clear, but there is evidence that lifestyle changes can push chronic diseases into remission while dramatically reducing biological age.
Leslie Kenny is living proof of this; though she will soon turn 60, biological tests suggest her body is that of a 21-year-old.
The longevity researcher and founder of Oxford Healthspan told GB News how she achieved the remarkable feat of reversing her biological age while tackling autoimmune conditions, all through a “longevity lifestyle”.
“At age 39 I was experiencing symptoms that we more frequently associate with people in their late 60s or 70s,” shared Leslie, who suffered from lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. “These were symptoms of autoimmune diseases.”
Leslie tackled autoimmune disease through a longevity lifestyle
GB NEWS
“I have since been able to put those diseases into remission. Now, by leading a longevity lifestyle that was there to prevent me from going out of remission, I’ve managed to reverse my biological age.
“At the time that I was diagnosed with these ailments, I was living a very high-stress life, I wasn’t paying attention to my sleep, I wasn’t moving much, I was eating things that maybe gave me pleasure, but were difficult for my body.”
Leslie also attributed the previous health challenges to excessive alcohol and sugar intake.
“After doing an allergy test I discovered that wheat, gluten, in wheat, and eggs, were all a problem,” she added.
An allergy test later revealed that wheat, gluten and eggs were equally problematic for her system. Though through autophagy, Leslie successfully addressed most of these concerns.
“Autophagy is the process of cell renewal or cell maintenance,” she explained. “Our cells can do this across our entire lifespan if we are healthy and we live a longevity lifestyle.
“If we don’t, however, we can lose that ability to activate autophagy and take the trash out of our cells.”
Which foods activate autophagy?
According to Leslie, coffee plays a crucial role in autophagy, as one of the highest sources of polyphenols in the Western diet.
“Coffee is an activator of autophagy, but you can also get it from a molecule called spermidine,” shared Leslie.
Coffee is a rich source of polyphenols
GETTY
The key longevity molecule is found abundantly in plant-based foods, with beans, and peas all considered excellent sources of the compound.
“The highest food source of spermidine is in long-fermented Japanese natto,” Kenny added, noting that certain cheeses, like cheddar and parmesan, are also beneficial.
Additional sources labelled powerful autophagy activators were mushrooms, turmeric, and citrus peel. The importance of green leafy vegetables can not be overstated in a longevity-focused diet either.
In terms of beverages, earl-grey tea, made with Bergamot lemons, and Oolong tea, contains powerful autophagy-activating compounds, Leslie added.
Her recommendations align with those of other longevity experts, like Dan Buettner, who has studied the Blue Zones at great length.
