SIRT1: The smart way to survive?

"Picture a scene in the ancient wild: a time when drought and famine have taken the land, food is scant and predators are near, and staying alive depends on being active, alert, and quick-witted — and asking, “Where did I find those nuts last year, and where was that water hole?“

A protein called SIRT1 in our brains may explain how our ancestors lived through such nutritionally scarce situations by protecting neurons and keeping the brain smart in extreme situations of survival.

Additionally, recent research in animals suggests that through calorie restriction, periodic fasting, taking compounds such as resveratrol, and drug therapies of the future, humans today could increase production of SIRT1 to sharpen their own thinking and memory, and guard against the onset of diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

This hypothesis, that SIRT1 sustains learning and memory, received a major boost in July when five connected studies evaluated mice bred to have lower or increased levels of the SIRT1 protein in their neurons. The studies showed that the protein is critical for learning and memory, protects against memory loss, and keeps mice alert, physically active, and burning calories efficiently."

Check the link below for 10 ways to enhance brain power and increase survivability.
[link to www.kurzweilai.net]