Do “heavy” eaters live longer?

Abstract

A new hypothesis is put forward, linking cellular endurance with dietary consumption of stable heavy isotopes. Due to the isotope effect, biomolecules that incorporate heavier isotopes give rise to more stable molecular structures with increased resistance to damages associated with aging and age-related disease. The inclusion of heavy isotopes might be either active (selection for heavier isotopes) or passive (incorporation reflecting the existing abundance). The hypothesis links consumption of foods relatively rich in heavy isotopes (such as (13)C and D, derived from C4-plants), especially at the early stages of the organism's development, with enhanced longevity. Implications of diets and intestinal microflora are also discussed.

Assessing the rate and timing of leaf wax regeneration in Fraxinus americana using stable hydrogen isotope labeling

“…However, we found that the δ 2 H value of the leaf water of Phleum pratense (−19‰) was 10‰ higher than that of the leaf water (−29‰) of Fraxinus americana before irrigation took place (both plants were irrigated with same municipal water supply with a δ 2 H value of −48‰), which does not support the evapotranspiration hypothesis. Our observation of a delay in leaf wax generation in Fraxinus americana during the diurnal cycle might suggest the utilization of deuterium‐enriched residual sugars that had been preferentially utilized for other metabolic processes, leading to higher leaf wax δ 2 H values in trees than in grasses …”

“…Our observation of a delay in leaf wax generation in Fraxinus americana during the diurnal cycle might suggest the utilization of deuteriumenriched residual sugars that had been preferentially utilized for other metabolic processes, leading to higher leaf wax d 2 H values in trees than in grasses. [18,19]…”

Isotope-reinforced polyunsaturated fatty acids protect yeast cells from oxidative stress

“…Site-specific “isotope reinforcement” of PUFAs at oxidation-prone bis-allylic sites (Fig. 1) has been hypothesized to slow down the ROS-driven autoxidation process [20, 21], based on the primary kinetic isotope effect (IE). The vibration frequency of the chemical bond between two atoms depends on their masses.…”

Isotopic Resonance Hypothesis: Experimental Verification by Escherichia coli Growth Measurements

“…They also found that E. Coli grow slower in a media highly enriched with 15 N12. These examples demonstrate that the effects of heavy isotopic substitution on biology are still insufficiently understood13. But the most poorly investigated are the effects of low enrichment levels.…”