Longevity: The Rate of Living Theory
The higher the metabolism, the higher the oxidative damage, and the higher the cell division. Every time cell divide it clips telomere in half and our longevity
Milos Pokimica
Written By: Milos Pokimica
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Xiùying Wáng, M.D.
Updated June 9, 2023What happens when our regular metabolism burns energy for life? Well, some of that energy escapes and does damage to DNA decreasing our longevity. Some of the damaged cells naturally end their life cycle and die. In their place come new ones from the division.
The higher the metabolism, the higher the damage, and the higher the division.
Every time a cell divide it clips the telomere in half. A telomere is a small area of repeated nucleotide sequences at each end of a chromosome.
The purpose of the telomere is to keep the end of the chromosome from deterioration or fusion with other neighboring chromosomes. During chromosome duplication, the enzymes that duplicate DNA can maintain their duplication unit at the end of a chromosome. What happens is that in each duplication, the end of the chromosome is shortened. After too many divisions telomeres are gone, and there are no more divisions only death. It is a process called aging.
We can slow this process down and increase our longevity by slowing oxidative damage with high levels of antioxidants in the diet, and we can slow it down by increasing energy efficiency. The problem is that nothing in nature is 100% effective. Some of the oxygen in our cells escapes in the form of free radicals and do their oxidation elsewhere.
Oxidative stress happens when an oxygen molecule splits into single atoms with unpaired electrons. These aggressive molecules are called free radicals. They are so aggressive that they will attack the nearest stable molecule trying to steal its electron particle. When the attacked particle is left with no electron, it will become the free radical itself. The process is going to create a chain reaction. Once the process is started, the final result is the disruption of a living cell.
Free radicals are created as a part of normal metabolism.
Four different mechanisms produce endogenous (your body creates them) free radicals. The production of free radicals cannot be entirely stopped. It is surprisingly amusing to me that oxygen, an element indispensable for life is also responsible for our death.
It is not plausible to directly measure the number of free radicals in the body. The more fuel we burn, the faster we burn out.
Have you ever asked yourself how many heartbeats a common man has in their life?
It turns out each animal gets around a billion beats. Smaller animals have higher metabolic rates, and their heart is beating faster. When we calculate the number of beats for different sizes of different species of animals the magic number is one billion. Horses, rabbits, cats, pigs, elephants, whales, it does not matter, it is always one billion. Other than small dogs. They got the short end of the stick. In contrast, humans and chickens are champions in that we get more than double the usual natural number. Around 2.21 billion for us and 2.17 billion beats for chickens. The quicker your metabolism is the faster you will oxidase and the shorter your longevity.
It is called the rate of living theory. Max Rubner first proposed the concept in 1908. He observed that larger animals always outlived smaller ones and that the larger animals had slower metabolisms. A further affirmation was given to these observations by the discovery of Max Kleiber’s law in 1932. Kleiber assumed that basal metabolic rate could correctly be predicted by taking 3/4 the power of body weight.
This theory is colloquially known as the mouse-to-elephant curve. Support for this theory has been reinforced by studies linking a lower basal metabolic rate (evident with a lowered heartbeat) to increased life expectancy. Grand Tortoise can live up to 150 years. Hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of any homoeothermic animal. Their hearts beat at over 1263 beats per minute. At night, they enter a stupor, a form of deep sleep. In a stupor, their heart rate drops to 50 beats a minute to conserve energy. The average lifespan of a wild hummingbird is 3-10 years.
One species that stick out for longevity are Macaws. Birds in general average some 2 to 3 times the longevity of mammals. There are specific avian groups that are even longer-lived than this overall average. Why and how nobody knows. The interesting fact is that oxygen consumption in a unit of time in bird cells can go as high as 2.5 times that of mammals. If we combine this fact of high metabolic rate and oxygen consumption with the long lives of birds, we have unsolved scientific phenomena. If we calculate the numbers, we can see that some long-lived avian cells may be able to live as much as 20 times longer than some of the short-lived mammals such as mice, and five times that of regular long-lived mammals such as humans. If we find out how and what the secret is, we could possibly have five times life expectancy. Birds have evolved some protection against free radical damage. They have evolved some effective mechanisms for protection from the buildup of free radicals. The circumstances of those protective measures so far remain elusive. Longevity is a big topic in today’s scientific research.
Studies within those sectors of oxidative free radical protection have so far been restricted, and the evidence has been moderately conflicting. It will be significant in pharmaceutics, it already is. Universal strong antioxidant and calorie restriction pill, all we can eat and still have the benefits. There are multiple substances that undergo experiments within the pharmaceutical industry, for example, one substance is called Compound SRT1720. SRT1720 mimics dietary restriction, lessening many of the harmful effects of the high-fat diet and obesity with no signs of toxicity even after 80 weeks of treatment. We cannot buy this stuff yet.
What we can do is a dietary intervention in order to optimize our antioxidant intake. What we can have at present is something in the form of strong universal antioxidants like Astaxanthin, Curcumin, or MegaHydrate and increase our dietary intake of antioxidants from food. There is extensive research that is already available and optimizing our ORAC dietary intake levels is recommended to anyone especially in people that have some sort of inflammation and as a prevention from chronic diseases like cancer, aging, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver and kidney problems, neurodegenerative disorders (Neha et al., 2019).
There is no more debate on the list in the scientific field anymore about antioxidant intake. More research had to be done, especially to see if the high rate of dietary antioxidants had an adverse effect on immune cells that use the release of oxygen free radicals like macrophages. There is also evidence that antioxidants like beta-carotene can harm us if not taken in a whole food way. In the future, there will probably be much more research done in this area.
In one study that I will mention (Flanary et al., 2005) they analyzed one type of bristlecone pine, Pinus longaeva. It is the oldest known living eukaryotic organism, with the oldest on record turning 4780 years old in 2015. In this study, researchers did a detailed investigation of telomere length and telomerase activity. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that adds a species-dependent telomere repeat sequence to the end of telomeres. It lengthens the telomeres. Some cells, not all of them can maintain telomere length by the action of this enzyme, thus keeping themselves from death. The conclusions of the research confirm the assumption that:
“Both increased telomere length and telomerase activity may directly/indirectly contribute to the increased life-span and longevity evident in long-lived pine trees (2000-5000 year life-spans).”
(Flanary et al., 2005)
In the future, we will have some t-pill maybe, but until that time we need to correct our lifestyle. Periodical fasting can be one way. It will help us as much as exercise and as much as a good diet.
However, who will actually do this? Ascetic monks. On a population scale, it is not sustainable, and actually, on a population scale, we see reverse action. For us, it is all about how to overcome our metabolism and calorie adaptation so that we can eat more, lose weight more quickly, and have six-pack abs and French fries at the same time. Many people describe dieting to be a 50% physiological battle and a 50% psychological battle, and they are not far off from the mark unless you can deal with the intensive food cravings you face. Most people on a diet are running a calorie deficit of around 500 calories below maintenance. After metabolic adaptation takes place, we can see how fast weight loss would go. Moreover, just around the corner are birthday parties, holidays, and of course, cheat meals. Eating for pleasure is nothing new.
References:
- Lints, F A. “The rate of living theory revisited.” Gerontology vol. 35,1 (1989): 36-57. doi:10.1159/000212998
- Brys, Kristel et al. “Testing the rate-of-living/oxidative damage theory of aging in the nematode model Caenorhabditis elegans.” Experimental gerontology vol. 42,9 (2007): 845-51. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2007.02.004
- Neha, Kumari et al. “Medicinal prospects of antioxidants: A review.” European journal of medicinal chemistry vol. 178 (2019): 687-704. doi:10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.06.010
- Flanary, Barry E, and Gunther Kletetschka. “Analysis of telomere length and telomerase activity in tree species of various life-spans, and with age in the bristlecone pine Pinus longaeva.” Biogerontology vol. 6,2 (2005): 101-11. doi:10.1007/s10522-005-3484-4
Related Posts
Do you have any questions about nutrition and health?
I would love to hear from you and answer them in my next post. I appreciate your input and opinion and I look forward to hearing from you soon. I also invite you to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more diet, nutrition, and health content. You can leave a comment there and connect with other health enthusiasts, share your tips and experiences, and get support and encouragement from our team and community.
I hope that this post was informative and enjoyable for you and that you are prepared to apply the insights you learned. If you found this post helpful, please share it with your friends and family who might also benefit from it. You never know who might need some guidance and support on their health journey.
– You Might Also Like –

Learn About Nutrition
Milos Pokimica is a doctor of natural medicine, clinical nutritionist, medical health and nutrition writer, and nutritional science advisor. Author of the book series Go Vegan? Review of Science, he also operates the natural health website GoVeganWay.com
Medical Disclaimer
GoVeganWay.com brings you reviews of the latest nutrition and health-related research. The information provided represents the personal opinion of the author and is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH GoVeganWay.com
NEVER APPLY ANY LIFESTYLE CHANGES OR ANY CHANGES AT ALL AS A CONSEQUENCE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ IN GoVeganWay.com BEFORE CONSULTING LICENCED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER.
In the event of a medical emergency, call a doctor or 911 immediately. GoVeganWay.com does not recommend or endorse any specific groups, organizations, tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned inside.
Editor Picks –
Milos Pokimica is a doctor of natural medicine, clinical nutritionist, medical health and nutrition writer, and nutritional science advisor. Author of the book series Go Vegan? Review of Science, he also operates the natural health website GoVeganWay.com
Latest Articles –
Plant Based News
-
Ombar’s Caramac-Style Blonde Chocolate Bar Is Back ‘For Good’
on May 11, 2025
-
Oh So Wholesome Launches Whole Foods-Based ‘Veg Chop’ At Tesco
on May 10, 2025
-
Asahi Launches ‘Like Milk,’ Japan’s First Yeast-Based Dairy-Free Beverage
on May 10, 2025
-
Grilled Peaches With Raspberry Glaze And Coconut Cream
on May 10, 2025
-
This Sticky Date Pudding Is 100% Vegan
on May 10, 2025
-
10 Vegan Brunch Recipes
on May 9, 2025
-
Beyond Meat Secures $100 Million From Ahimsa Foods Affiliate
on May 9, 2025
Top Health News — ScienceDaily
- Fat-rich fluid fuels immune failure in ovarian canceron May 9, 2025
New research has uncovered how lipid-rich fluid in the abdomen, known as ascites, plays a central role in weakening the body’s immune response in advanced ovarian cancer. The findings offer new insights into immune suppression in ovarian cancer and open promising avenues for future immunotherapy approaches. Over 70% of patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage, often presenting with large volumes of ascites. This ascites fluid not only supports the spread of cancer […]
- The origins of languageon May 9, 2025
Wild chimpanzees alter the meaning of single calls when embedding them into diverse call combinations, mirroring linguistic operations in human language. Human language, however, allows an infinite generation of meaning by combining phonemes into words and words into sentences. This contrasts with the very few meaningful combinations reported in animals, leaving the mystery of human language evolution unresolved.
- Antibiotics from human use are contaminating rivers worldwide, study showson May 9, 2025
Millions of kilometers of rivers around the world are carrying antibiotic pollution at levels high enough to promote drug resistance and harm aquatic life, a new study warns. The study estimated the scale of global river contamination from human antibiotics use. Researchers calculated that about 8,500 tons of antibiotics — nearly one-third of what people consume annually — end up in river systems around the world each year even after in many cases passing through wastewater systems.
- A more realistic look at DNA in actionon May 9, 2025
By creating a more true-to-life representation of DNA’s environment, researchers have discovered that strand separation may take more mechanical force than the field previously believed.
- Novel, needle-free, live-attenuated influenza vaccines with broad protection against human and avian virus subtypeson May 9, 2025
A research team has achieved a significant breakthrough in developing broadly protective, live-attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV). These innovative LAIV platforms offer potential to develop universal influenza vaccines that induce a more robust immune response against various virus subtypes, including both human and avian strains.
- Researchers map 7,000-year-old genetic mutation that protects against HIVon May 9, 2025
Modern HIV medicine is based on a common genetic mutation. Now, researchers have traced where and when the mutation arose — and how it protected our ancestors from ancient diseases.
- Colonic inflammation explains missing link between obesity and beta-cell proliferationon May 9, 2025
How does obesity affect insulin production? Researchers are shining light on new stages of the ERK pathway.
PubMed, #vegan-diet –
- Scoring Adherence to Voluntary Restriction Diets (SAVoReD) in the ADAPT Studyon May 9, 2025
Voluntary adoption of popular food-group-restricting diets like Paleo and plant-based diets (PBDs) are often health-motivated. However, unlike the theoretical design of these diets, different levels of dietary adherence may result in different diet quality and bodyweight in real-world settings-a limitation to the efficacy of dietary interventions. Scoring Adherence to Voluntary Restriction Diets (SAVoReD) is a metric to quantify and compare adherence across food-group-restricting diets. We…
- Risk of hypothyroidism in meat-eaters, fish-eaters, and vegetarians: a population-based prospective studyon May 7, 2025
CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we found a moderately higher risk of hypothyroidism among vegetarians, after controlling for BMI, a potential collider. This slightly higher risk of hypothyroidism among vegetarians requires further investigation, taking iodine status and thyroid hormone levels into account.
- Dietary Adaptation of Non-Heme Iron Absorption in Vegans: A Controlled Trialon May 5, 2025
Non-heme iron, mainly from plant foods, is theoretically less bioavailable than heme iron from animal food, which might increase the risk of iron deficiency in vegans. This study aimed to evaluate acute changes in plasma iron levels following non-heme iron intake in vegans compared with omnivores and to explore the mechanisms regulating these changes. Twenty-seven participants (18-30 years old) were divided into vegans and omnivores. After baseline measurements (body composition, blood […]
- Vegan beware! Allergenic potential of legumeson April 30, 2025
CONCLUSION: The increased consumption of legumes in the context of a vegan diet is bringing a wider range of plant-based foods into focus, which may have potentially allergenic properties. An increase in allergic reactions to legumes is to be expected. Precise molecular IgE diagnostics are crucial to be able to assess the risk of severe reactions.
- Body and Fitness-related Shame Helps Explain the Association Between Internalized Weight Bias and Orthorexia Symptoms among North American Female Yoga Professionalson April 30, 2025
CONCLUSIONS: Findings contribute to the growing scholarship recognizing orthorexia’s links with harmful diet culture among yoga professionals potentially reflecting: 1) regulating internal body- and fitness-related shame stemming from IWB and 2) perceptions of modeling “positive” body image for students and clients who may be at risk. Results call for increased collaborative outreach efforts to identify appropriate interventions to effectively target these public health concerns within the…
Random Posts –
Featured Posts –

Latest from PubMed, #plant-based diet –
- The impact of the timing of pasta intake on sleep quality and health outcomes: a protocol for a randomized controlled trialby S Lotti on May 9, 2025
BACKGROUND: Pasta is a fundamental component of the Mediterranean diet and a key source of carbohydrates. Despite its nutritional benefits, misconceptions persist regarding its potential to promote weight gain, particularly when consumed at dinner. While no evidence supports this concern, emerging chrononutritional research suggests that evening carbohydrate intake may positively influence sleep quality by promoting serotonin production. This study aims to assess, for the first time, whether…
- Experimental evaluation of the effects of commercial additive (plant extracts) as an alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics in broiler chickensby María Julieta Luna on May 9, 2025
CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde-based PFAs may serve as viable alternatives to GPAs, promoting growth performance and gut health in broiler chickens. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and confirm these preliminary results in larger-scale studies.
- Perceptions of the effects of following specific diets among people with multiple sclerosis: A web scraping analysis of the multiple sclerosis subredditby Nathan Kuhlman on May 9, 2025
CONCLUSION: Users of the r/MultipleSclerosis subreddit increasingly discussed diets over a 12.5-year period and reported more positive effects of diets compared to negative effects.
- Scoring Adherence to Voluntary Restriction Diets (SAVoReD) in the ADAPT Studyby Suzannah Gerber on May 9, 2025
Voluntary adoption of popular food-group-restricting diets like Paleo and plant-based diets (PBDs) are often health-motivated. However, unlike the theoretical design of these diets, different levels of dietary adherence may result in different diet quality and bodyweight in real-world settings-a limitation to the efficacy of dietary interventions. Scoring Adherence to Voluntary Restriction Diets (SAVoReD) is a metric to quantify and compare adherence across food-group-restricting diets. We…
- Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis reveals the enzymatic mechanism of plant polysaccharide degradation through gut microbiome in plateau model animal (Ochotona curzoniae)by Xueying Gan on May 8, 2025
Herbivorous animals can obtain energy by decomposing plant polysaccharides through gut microbiota, but the mechanism of gut microbiota decomposing plant polysaccharides in high-altitude model animals is still unclear. Plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) is a key model animal native to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau with a high intake of grass. Thus, Plateau pika is an excellent animal model for studying how herbivorous animals digest and metabolize grass polysaccharides. Here, we used 16S rDNA, 16S…
- Unravelling the interplay between plant miRNAs and plant secondary metabolites: A new frontier in cross- kingdom regulatory mechanismsby Yamini Agarwal on May 8, 2025
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are also known as single-stranded RNAs with 18-24 nucleotides and exhibit substantial conservation. They represent a class of innate RNAs that are essential for plant cell development, division, differentiation, proliferation, and death. The reported pharmacological effects of plant-derived secondary metabolites contribute to their therapeutic potential. Plant-derived miRNAs have drawn considerable interest as a result of their active involvement in these plant secondary…