Few things are so deeply infected by fads, frauds and quackery as nutrition. As such, it is through a lens of healthy scepticism that we should view any new diet. The latest to make headlines is the Sirtfood diet which, if we are to take claims at face value, will assist with weight loss as well as offering other benefits such as “stimulating rejuvenation and cellular repair”.
For the uninitiated, this latest diet is based around consumption of foods which might interact with a family of proteins known as sirtuin proteins, or SIRT1 - SIRT7. Adding to the diet’s undoubted appeal is the fact that the best sources supposedly include red wine and chocolate, as well as citrus fruits, blueberries and kale. During the first three days, calorie intake is limited (1,000 calories per day) and consists of three Sirtfood green juices, plus a normal meal rich in “Sirtfoods”. On days four to seven, calorie intake is increased (1,500 calories) and consists of two juices and two meals. Beyond that the recommendation is to eat a balanced diet rich in sirtuin foods, along with further green juices. Prawns and salmon also feature in the meal plans.
It sounds tasty – and sirtuins are indeed implicated in a wide range of cellular processes including metabolism, ageing and circadian rhythm. The diet is also based in part, on calorie restriction. The nutritionists behind this suggest that the diet “influences the body’s ability to burn fat and boosts the metabolic system”.
The Diet Decoded
