Global singing phenom Adele recently stunned the world as she posted a picture of her new and improved body. After being out of the spotlight for a brief period of time, she revealed a stunning 100 pounds weight loss.
As people began to research the diet that caused a massive body transformation—they discovered it was a relatively new method of eating known as the Sirtfood Diet. Although many individuals may be unfamiliar with the diet, it has become somewhat popular in some circles.
Hi, I’m Sean Torbati. Throughout my years of experience helping people with their diets—one common trend always seems to transpire. Adherence to a consistent diet plan based around whole food sources and limited processed foods is always best. When I first heard about Adele’s drastic weight loss, I wanted to dive deeper into the diet and uncover it’s fundamental roots.
Let’s take a look behind the Sirtfood Diet, what it is, and how some people may benefit from following this style of eating.
The Basics of the Sirtfood Diet
The diet was originally created in the UK by celebrity nutritionists a few short years ago. Based on a book published in 2016, the diet aims to detox the body while allowing individuals to still consume many of the foods they love.
Proponents of the diet believe that eating certain foods containing “Sirtuins” works to help assist individuals with weight loss and metabolism increase by activating the body’s “skinny gene.” Sirtuins are a group of proteins found in the body that have been shown to perform a number of bodily functions including: regulation of metabolism, decrease of inflammation, and improved lifespan.
Sirtuins are a family of NAD(+) dependent enzymes that regulate metabolic and behavioral responses to caloric restriction (1). Consumption of certain plant compounds are believed to help increase the level of these proteins in the body.
Some of the top sirt foods include:
- Kale
- Red wine
- Strawberries
- Dark chocolate
- Onions
- Olive oil
- Matcha tea
- Turmeric
- Blueberries
- Coffee
This may seem like a collection of random food choices, but each is believed to contain high levels of sirtuins. Creators of the diet proclaim that it can result in rapid weight loss while simultaneously maintaining muscle mass and preventing many diseases.
How to Follow the Sirtfood Diet Plan
The Sirtfood Diet plan is guided by a two phased approach that occurs over the course of three weeks total. Individuals are encouraged to adhere to these guidelines in order to experience results.
After the three week period is over individuals are able to repeat phases as desired. Furthermore, consumption of green juice is encouraged daily upon diet expiration.
Does the Diet Work?
While many would argue that the diet lacks a balanced approach of eating, Adele’s weight loss may prove that dietary success is dependent upon the individual. Although a limited amount of research is available—it's hard to ascertain the true validity of the diet itself.
Results from the book claim that diet participants were able to lose 7 pounds during the first week with no discernible muscle loss. In addition to weight loss, activation of sirtuins can also provide a number of other health benefits. Sirtuins have been linked to disease prevention and improving longevity related to aging (2). Furthermore, caloric restriction along with consumption of sirtuins may provide better long-term health benefits (3). In fact, many people consider Sirtuin rich foods to be new superfoods.
While I agree that Sirtuin rich foods may provide a number of health benefits, the extreme caloric restriction of the diet may not be sustainable long-term. Although Adele experienced tremendous weight loss, I would encourage individuals to undergo a more gradual diet approach that calls for a less drastic caloric restriction.
As always, I strive to find dietary and wellness solutions that people can practice for a lifetime. Oftentimes individuals become too short sighted which can lead to unsustainable results. It’s still possible to consume foods rich in sirtuins while consuming a more balanced diet overall.
If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out to me. I’m here to help lend a helping hand on your track towards sustainable dietary success.
Kindest regards,
Sean Torbati - PN Certified Nutritionist | EXOS Phase 3 Training Specialist
Co-Founder, Ambrosia Collective
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