- Five destinations around the globe claim to have the key to the fountain of youth
- Includes drinking red wine for breakfast in Greece and extreme fasting in Italy
- Channel Seven journalist tested theories on how to live to over 100 years old
- But a simple magic pill may have the answer to reversing the signs of ageing
A new extreme fasting diet is believed to be the secret behind living a longer life and avoiding diseases associated with ageing – but a ‘magic’ pill could do an even better job of extending your life span.
Italian scientist Valter Longo believes simply not eating for periods of time is the best way to rid the body of toxins and rejuvenate cells, and Channel Seven journalist Denham Hitchcock pushed his body to the limits to put it to the test.
Using diets similar to fasting, Professor Longo says humans can break down harmful cells and grow new stem cells when they start eating properly again.
Journalist Denham Hitchcock (pictured) tried the revolutionary fasting diet for five days
An Italian scientist says humans can use diets similar to fasting to break down harmful cells, then grow new stem cells when they start eating properly again
But diets and fasting could be things of the past after it was found a pill used to treat diabetes can eliminate disease and slow ageing (stock image)
Hitchcock tried the controversial five-day diet and survived on less than a third of the average human calorie intake.
Aside from minor hunger pain and fantasies about food, he was able to suffer through five days of eating granola bars, oil capsules and soups with remarkable results.
Blood tests showed Mr Hitchcock’s body had experienced a dramatic growth in stem cells that repair and replenish diseased, damaged tissues.
However, diets and organic lifestyles are no match for a single ‘magic pill’ produced by scientists which can drastically slow the ailments of ageing.
Metformin, a pill used to treat diabetes, has an astonishing side effect – it decreases the likelihood of contracting many diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease.
However, diets and organic lifestyles are no match for a single ‘magic pill’ produced by scientists which can drastically slow the ailments of ageing
Hitchcock tried the controversial five-day diet and survived on less than a third of the average human calorie intake
Aside from minor hunger pain and fantasies about food, he was able to suffer through five days of eating granola bars, oil capsules and soups with remarkable results
‘Very simply, it repairs a lot of alterations we see in ageing,’ Nir Barzilai, Director of the Institute of Aging said.
But across the world, a hideaway island in the Mediterranean has taken a very different approach to pursuing immortality.
Experts believe there are five destinations across the world, known as ‘blue zones’, were locals inexplicably live far longer, happier lives.
Ikaria, a Greek island, falls under one such ‘blue zone’ – and residents claim they have unlocked the ability to live far longer than the rest of the world through a simple recipe of fresh organic food, community spirit and exercise.
Ikaria, a Greek island, falls in one of five zones in the world where people exceed the average life expectancy – and residents claim they have unlocked the secret through a simple recipe of fresh organic food, community spirit and exercise
Experts believe there are five destinations across the world, known as ‘blue zones’, were locals inexplicably live far longer, happier lives
The man who introduced the ‘blue zone’ theory, Dan Beuttner, has explored the world looking for the fountain of youth, and believes he found it in Ikaria, Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan, Loma Linda in the U.S. and Nicoya, in Costa Rica.
Mr Beuttner says the key to eternal youth is not through a regimented exercise schedule or forcing yourself to eat vegetables.
‘In blue zones people have no idea how they made it to 100,’ he explained in an interview with Sunday Night.
‘They’re not just sitting around, they’re not just recipients of health care.. they’re actively involved with families, with economics… and they’re still having fun.
In Ikaria, locals swear by a healthy glass of red wine – even for breakfast – lead organic lifestyles with virtually zero food chemicals and pride themselves in dancing until the early hours of the morning.
‘They’re not just sitting around, they’re not just recipients of health care.. they’re actively involved with families, with economics… and they’re still having fun,’ Mr Beuttner said