Scientists have discovered that people who “live longer than 100 years” share a unique version of a gene called FOXO3.
Aging is a multifactorial process determined by an individual’s genetic makeup and environment. Among the various genetic components related to human longevity, the FOXO3 gene has consistently been shown to be the most essential. According to a new study from Weill Cornell Medicine, researchers found that individuals who “live longer than 100 years” share a unique version of a gene known as FOXO3. The study was published in Nature Communications.
Dr. Bradley Willcox, the principal investigator at the Kuakini Hawaii Aging Research Center, noted that people can activate this type of gene through diet. “Even if you do not have the specific FOXO3 gene variant associated with longevity, there are still ways to activate longevity genes. You can achieve this by consuming certain foods, which is one of the functions that the Okinawa diet accomplishes,” he explained on Express.co.uk.
In essence, the Okinawa diet is low in calories and fats, high in carbohydrates, and places a strong emphasis on vegetables and soy products, while using sweet potatoes as the main calorie source.
The main foods in the traditional Okinawa diet are as follows:
The Okinawa diet is rich in powerful antioxidants.
- Vegetables (58-50%): Sweet potatoes (orange and purple), seaweed, kelp, bamboo shoots, radishes, bitter melon, cabbage, carrots, okra, pumpkin, green papaya.
- Grains (33%): Millet, wheat.
- Soy products (5%): Tofu, miso, natto, and soybeans (edamame).
- Other components (1%): Alcohol, tea, spices, and broth.
Two other antioxidant-rich ingredients that are freely consumed in this diet are jasmine tea and turmeric.
According to Dr. Willcox, all these foods contain a powerful nutrient primarily found in marine plants called astaxanthin. It is known as a marine carotenoid with broad antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This substance also produces the red pigment in certain types of algae, giving salmon its pink color. Research indicates that this chemical may provide particular benefits for individuals suffering from inflammatory diseases such as arthritis or autoimmune disorders.
In 2017, scientists at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center suggested that this compound could “activate the ‘longevity gene’ FOXO3 in mice.”
Researchers observed a nearly 90% increase in gene activation within the heart tissue of the rodents. They noted that the gene in the heart tissue of these rodents increased by 90% after consuming foods containing astaxanthin. The gene counters the effects of toxic proteins that lead to neurodegenerative diseases, thereby extending lifespan. The study also found that rodents lacking the FOXO3 gene were less able to cope with stressful situations.
This suggests that the gene may preserve the brain’s regenerative capacity by preventing stem cells from dividing until the environment is favorable for the survival of new cells. Stem cells, combined with anti-aging genes, create a protective shield against the effects of aging.
Dr. Willcox noted that a commonality among many of these foods is a potent micronutrient primarily found in marine plants, known as astaxanthin.
