Hormesis - They key to a longer life

Why do some people live longer and healthier than others? It’s not just about luck or genetics.

It’s about a biological switch.

Inside your cells are genes that control how you age. One of them is called SIRT1—a sirtuin. Think of it as your body’s internal repair crew.

When it’s active, it helps repair DNA, reduce inflammation, and burn fat for energy.

But here’s the catch. This gene doesn’t stay on all the time.

It gets activated when your body is under the right kind of stress. Not chronic stress. But the kind your body evolved to handle. Just enough to push you but not too much to drive you over the edge.

In medical terms we call this hormesis.

Intense exercise for short periods flips the switch. Fasting for 16 hours or longer, for example, is enough to activate sirtuins. So is sitting in a sauna or plunging into cold water.

I try and use the sauna at every hotel I go to. I always wonder why I dont see anyone else when it is such a magical way to stress your body.

Your body senses that it needs to adapt. It cleans up damaged cells, recycles waste, and builds itself back stronger. This process is called autophagy. Without it, aging accelerates.

Most of us eat too often. Sleep too little. And move too little. That means the switch stays off. Its like owning a Ferrari but never taking it out of the garage.

You have the same genes as long-lived people. But your lifestyle decides whether those genes express themselves or stay dormant.

The other key? NAD+. It’s a molecule your body needs to activate sirtuins. As you age, NAD+ drops. You can raise it with foods like fermented vegetables.

So instead of chasing youth, chase balance. Eat less often. Move more. Sleep deeply. Expose your body to challenge.

Your longevity switch is waiting to be turned on. Your body already knows how to live long. You just need to let it.

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