Jürgen Vormann

Institute for Prevention and Nutrition, Ismaning/Munich, Germany

During recent years biomedicine has revealed several important mechanisms for the aging process. Fasting has often been smiled at as an anti-aging strategy. However, recent research has shown that fasting-induced ketosis and subsequent autophagy is of utmost importance in avoiding premature aging. Aside of fasting also food components like SIRT-activators induce autophagy. The beneficial effects of ketosis are widespread, but it is often forgotten that ketones induce an acidosis. Negative effects of this mild metabolic acidosis like inhibition of lipolysis or induction of unspecific pain problems can be avoided by alkaline supplementation. Mild acidosis also might induce urinary loss of magnesium. Generally, low magnesium status is a risk factor especially for diseases of the aged. Fasting induced ketosis and ingestion of SIRT food is effective in anti-aging if accompanied by enough alkalines and magnesium.