Compounds
Fiber
The longevity nutrient hiding in plain sight.
Dietary fiber feeds beneficial gut bacteria, regulates blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, and promotes healthy bowel function. A landmark meta-analysis in The Lancet found that people eating 25-29g of fiber daily had a 15-30% lower risk of all-cause mortality, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer compared to low-fiber diets. Every 8g increase in daily fiber was linked to a 5-27% reduction in these conditions.
Dosage
RDA: 38g for men, 25g for women (adequate intake)
Optimal for longevity: Longevity researchers suggest 30-50g daily, closer to what ancestral diets provided.
Deficiency signs
~95% of Americans do not meet the recommended fiber intake
- Constipation or irregular bowel movements
- Blood sugar spikes after meals
- Feeling hungry soon after eating
- High LDL cholesterol
Top food sources
Research
Reynolds A et al. (2019). Carbohydrate quality and human health: a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The Lancet, 393(10170), 434-445.
Track your fiber intake
Biohack logs fiber alongside 22 other longevity nutrients in every meal.
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