Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Aging

Over  the last 100 years, the numerous advances in science, the improved  sanitary conditions and a decline in poverty have led to an increase in  life expectancy. As a result, in the coming years, the number of  over-65s will triple, and the over-80s will be the fastest growing  portion of the population.

However, an  increased lifespan is associated with an increase in chronic diseases,  such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, sarcopenia, and  degenerative disorders. Therefore, ideally, increased lifespan should be  associated to a better healthspan, which is the period one individual  is living in good health.

Based on evidence  that aging is a multifaceted phenomenon, resulting from one or more  failures at the molecular, cellular, physiologic, and functional levels,  age-related diseases are difficult therapeutic targets.

Data  on the correlation between the quality of one's diet and life  expectancy, and the application of calorie restriction regimens, or of  micronutrients, antioxidants and functional foods in the diet make  nutrition, together with exercise, a natural weapon to combat  age-related diseases and improve healthspan.