Sirtfood Diet Unlikely to Take Away Joint Pain

The Sirtfood Diet has been gaining popularity thanks to English singer Adele attributing her recent weight loss to the diet. The Sirtfood Diet was launched by two U.K. based nutritionists, Aiden Goggins and Glen Matten. The diet relies on foods high in sirtuins, a subset of plant-based proteins that can be found in certain foods and in the body naturally. Some of the foods high in sirtuins include kale, red wine, strawberries, and dark chocolate. The diet combines sirtfoods and calorie restriction in order to help people lose weight and feel younger. 

Our investigation finds that the majority of the foods promoted by the Sirtfood Diet have long been associated with health promotion and weight reduction. Foods like dark fruits and vegetables contain polyphenols (a group of micronutrients) that can reduce oxidative stress and therefore reduce inflammation in our bodies. Walnuts (also promoted in the diet) are high in Omega-3 fatty acids and are known to decrease inflammation. However, sirtuins are only one family of seven proteins that regulate cellular health. The body has nearly 60,000 families of proteins and the other proteins also play important roles. 

The diet also requires intense calorie restriction. The Sirtfood Diet website promotes losing seven pounds in seven days as a result of the calorie restriction. As history and research has demonstrated, severe calorie restriction does not pay benefits long term. In the 1940s, a scientist conducted an experiment called the Minnesota Starvation Study to understand the impact of starvation of the body and mind. Thirty-six male volunteers were asked to consume only 1600 calories a day for 12 weeks. As a result, many of the men began to be overly preoccupied with food. The men also tended to binge eat after the experiment was over. They also experienced decreased mood and energy. Results of this experiment have been repeated over time. 

While the foods promoted by the Sirtfood Diet are overall healthy, there are other foods that should also be consumed that are important to overall health. In addition, extreme calorie restriction can be difficult to stick to and then lead to long term negative consequences like re-gaining more weight later.