In a recent article on aging, Professor Cynthia Kenyon, a U.S geneticist, has discovered that too much insulin production caused by too many dietary carbs may very well be a cause of premature aging. I found the article intriguing – and a great example of carb addiction.
From the article:
Professor Cynthia Kenyon, whom many experts believe should win the Nobel Prize for her research into ageing, has discovered that the carbohydrates we eat — from bananas and potatoes to bread, pasta, biscuits and cakes — directly affect two key genes that govern youthfulness and longevity.
I am not qualified to discuss her work, but what I found really telling about carb addiction was towards the end of the article:
There is no denying the extraordinary breakthrough Kenyon’s work represents and she ‘deserves the Nobel Prize for her findings about ageing’, says David Gems, deputy director of the Institute for Healthy Ageing at University College, London. However he isn’t convinced we know enough for us all to start eating a low-carb diet. “The exact role of insulin in health and ageing is a promising and fascinating area,” he says. “But I’m not sure the evidence for the benefit of cutting carbohydrates and keeping insulin levels down is strong enough yet.”
Say what? Let me see if I got this right – Mr. Gems thinks Professor Kenyon deserves a Nobel prize for her discovery and work on aging, but he’s not convinced.
Said another way:
“I’ll give you my carbs when you pry them from my cold, dead hands!”
