The SIRT Diet – What It Entails

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The True Nature of Sirtuins

Sirtuins constitute a group of proteins that belong to enzymes that catalyze the deacetylation reaction involving the detachment of residual acetic acid from protein substrates. These proteins were first observed in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Subsequent research has shown that these specific compounds are produced by all organisms. Sirtuins play a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, particularly in inflammatory states, oxidative stress, and metabolic processes. It has been discovered that caloric restriction below 30–50% of daily requirements affects metabolic slowdown and can prolong the life of many organisms. This effect is caused by the Sir proteins. When the genes encoding sirtuins are damaged, this process does not occur, however, it is strengthened when they undergo excessive expression. Most importantly, it has been discovered that sirtuin activity increases during fasting. Activation of sirtuins can bring a range of benefits, not only in the course of metabolic diseases but also in age-related neurodegenerative diseases. This is because sirtuins, through their influence on mitochondria, prevent many physiological changes that underlie pathological processes.

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The principles of the SIRT diet

The SIRT diet is founded on the provision of foodstuffs to the body that facilitate the triggering of sirtuin proteins. It comprises several stages, which vary in their duration and calorie intake.

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Stage I (7 days)

In the first stage, lasting for 3 days, one should consume 1000 calories per day. The foundation of the diet should be comprised of 3 beverages and 1 solid meal. In the subsequent days (second stage), the consumed caloric amount should be 1500 calories, composed of 2 beverages and 2 solid meals. The beverages and meals should be abundant in compounds that enhance the activity of sirtuins, namely polyphenols.

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Stage II (14 days)

In the second stage, we do not determine the amount of calories. The main obligation is to consume 3 fixed meals and 1 drink, also rich in sirtuin-enhancing substances. The goal is to maintain the achieved effects and prevent the yo-yo effect. In the final phase, there are no exact instructions regarding the amount of calories or the number of meals. However, it is necessary to consume as many foods as possible that have the ability to activate sirtuin and drink one drink daily.

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What food commodities should be ingested during the SIRT diet?

The chief aim of the SIRT diet is to administer food commodities to the body that encompass antioxidant ingredients. The biological activity of polyphenols is closely interconnected with their ability to purge excess free radicals from the body. Consequently, they avert cell damage and premature aging of the body. The scope of polyphenols' action is broad and encompasses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-atherosclerotic, antithrombotic, and antimutagenic properties.

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Berry fruits and nuts

Among the products rich in these biologically active compounds are: - \- mainly strawberries and berries, which are characterized by a high content of biologically active ingredients such as polyphenols and their subclasses, including tannins and flavonoids. These compounds have the ability to activate cellular protection against oxidation, remove free radicals, and reduce the expression of inflammatory genes.

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Green, moist leafy vegetables

contain substantial amounts of substances such as vitamin K, beta-carotene, lutein, folic acid, nitrates, or alpha-tocopherol. A 2018 study confirmed that daily consumption of around one serving of green, moist leafy vegetables, rich in the aforementioned compounds, may slow down the decline of cognitive functions with age. Among all vegetable types, these green, moist leafy vegetables contain the most robust protective components against the deterioration of cognitive abilities, the loss of which is a primary characteristic of dementia (M. C. Morris et al., 2018).

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Nuts and seeds

Abound in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are highly significant for health. They also contain dietary fiber, vitamins E, K, thiamine, folic acid, selenium, potassium, magnesium, copper, and antioxidants. The SIRT diet underscores the importance of walnuts. Research has demonstrated that consuming 21-75 g of walnuts daily can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and improve the lipid profile.

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Oil derived from olives

Investigations have revealed that oil derived from olives can offer the body defense against carcinogens, with the crucial mechanism being the reduction of oxidative stress in the body due to the content of biologically active compounds. Polyphenols present in oil derived from olives decrease the chance of cancer, bring about desired genetic alterations, trigger cell death, decrease angiogenesis, and prevent metastasis (M. Gorzynik-Dębicka et al. 2018).

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Turmeric, also known as Indian saffron, is a spice with numerous health benefits.

In the SIRT diet, which emphasizes increasing the activity of sirtuin enzymes, turmeric is also included, the main component of which is curcumin, renowned for its robust anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-cancer properties.

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Coffee

is a blend of numerous biologically active substances that fall under the category of polyphenols. Regular intake of coffee may serve as a safeguard against various long-term diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain types of cancer. It is also associated with a lower likelihood of developing neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or dementia.

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Cocoa and dark chocolate

Within the SIRT diet, dark chocolate is also considered. The polyphenols present in cocoa display antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They can also regulate the gut flora, leading to an increase in bacteria responsible for activating the inflammatory pathway. Consumption of cocoa and dark chocolate has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. Additionally, it improves the lipid profile, resulting in an increase in HDL cholesterol and a decrease in LDL cholesterol (T. Magrone et al., 2017).

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„Red wine”

„is abundant in polyphenol compounds. One of them involved in the activation of sirtuins is resveratrol. This compound is characterized by strong cardioprotective actions. Moderate consumption of red wine has positive effects on health. The polyphenol compounds present in red wine are marked by anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects, can reduce insulin resistance, and decrease oxidative stress in the body (L. Castaldo et al., 2019);”.

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Green tea beverage

Catechins, the primary polyphenolic constituents in the green tea beverage, possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Furthermore, they offer protection against diabetes, neurological and cardiovascular conditions, aid in cholesterol level regulation, and contribute to weight loss.

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Is the SIRT activator diet effective?

Efficacy. Weight loss occurs rapidly, however, it is not due to the consumption of sirtuin-activating products. The cause is a very large energy deficit introduced in the first phase of the diet (it is only 1000 kcal). The demand of a healthy adult with average physical activity exceeds this value significantly. Calorie consumption depends on many factors, such as body weight and composition, age, sex, physiological state (pregnancy, illness) and level of physical activity. In the SIRT diet, these factors are not taken into account. Such large nutritional restrictions can result in the consumed number of kilocalories being significantly lower than the basal metabolic rate. Such an approach is not acceptable in the context of healthy and rational weight loss. Indeed, on the SIRT diet, weight loss can reach up to 3 kg in the first week, but in rational weight loss, the decline should be within the range of 0.5-1 kg per week. Such a large energy deficit can bring a series of negative health consequences: deterioration of the overall health status, reduction of muscle mass, weakening of muscle strength, weakening of immunity, disturbances in water and electrolyte management, disturbances in intestinal peristalsis, disturbances in digestion and absorption, colonization of the small intestine by pathogens, reduction of renal filtration, metabolic acidosis.

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Summary

A diet that incorporates extreme dietary restrictions is not healthy. However, if we bypass the phase of drastic calorie restriction and adapt the energy requirements individually, the SIRT diet can be a very healthy dietary approach. This diet is based on unprocessed, fresh, and polyphenolic products. These compounds are mainly found in vegetables and fruits, which form the foundation of a healthy diet. They are also rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and other biologically active ingredients. The SIRT diet also includes healthy fat sources, whose inclusion in the diet has a significant impact on the health of the body. In summary, the SIRT diet can bring numerous health benefits if we bypass the phase of drastic restrictions and adapt the energy requirements individually. Weight loss will occur slowly, but in a much healthier manner.