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THE SECRET TO ETERNAL YOUTH
The scientific director of Palazzo Fiuggi explains the secrets of anti-aging. By Luciano Tancredi
David Della Morte Canosci is an anti-aging guru, in whose skilled hands we can all become like Benjamin Button. His mission is to slow down the aging clock and every day, thanks to his untiring research, he gets nearer to achieving his goal. Not only is Della Morte the scientific and Medical Director of Palazzo Fiuggi, he is also associate at the Department of Neurology of the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami, associate of Internal Medicine at the Department of Systems Medicine of the University of Tor Vergata, Rome and collaborator of the IRCCS and of the San Raffaele University of Rome. He deals with basic and clinical science in the field of senescence, metabolic, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The research he is working on focuses on clarifying the pathological pathways that link metabolic and cognitive diseases with the aging process. He is currently also engaged in genetic studies aimed at identifying the factors that influence vascular and cognitive aging.
Professor, is aging a natural and unstoppable process or a disease to be treated?
Aging should not be considered as an unstoppable process, much less as a disease. Aging is, in fact, a physiological process determined by the reduction or loss of our defense mechanisms against aggressive factors to our body, both external and internal. Consequently, by reducing these aggression factors and increasing our defenses, which are lost with increasing age, we may be able to slow down and reverse the aging processes. The main factors on which to concentrate to implement these anti-aging strategies are protection against inflammation and oxidative stress — the main threats to our organs — and the prevention of chronic diseases.
Can we live longer, but also well?
Of course. The goal is precisely this, to live as many years as possible free from chronic disease and therefore to enjoy a good quality of life. These diseases are now most frequent in Western countries and the age at which they manifest themselves, unfortunately, is getting lower and lower. These include cardiovascular, neurological and neurodegenerative metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and cancer. Fundamentally, a correct and accurate prevention can only be achieved by integrating a holistic picture of the whole health of the subject.
What are the protocols you have devised for Palazzo Fiuggi?
In line with my beliefs, that is, with the goal of living a long, healthy life free from chronic diseases, we have created health and wellness protocols at the Palazzo Fiuggi by
combining the best of Western medicine, characterised by the most advanced diagnostic technologies on the market, with the best of Oriental and holistic medicine. These protocols aim at restoring the body to a state of complete wellbeing through a series of programmes aimed at weight loss, regenerative medicine, detoxification of the body, strengthening the immune system and psychophysical harmonisation.
You and chef Heinz Beck have developed specific menus for Palazzo Fiuggi. Where did you start?
It was an honour and a pleasure to collaborate with Chef Beck who, in addition to being one of the greatest chefs in the world, is an expert in nutrition and naturopathy. Together, we have developed unique menus that are not simply based on calorie restriction, but are a mix of healthy micronutrients capable of activating protective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecular pathways in our body. Chef Beck has combined foods rich in melatonin, vitamin C and D, quercitrin, polyphenols and Omega 3 to create delicious dishes that appeal to all our senses. It should be emphasised that these menus have all been created to harmonise with the healing and purifying herbal teas, made from the famous Fiuggi water, that we have developed exclusively for our guests based on the ancient remedies of the Benedictine pharmacies of Ciociaria. Thanks to these menus and the properties of the Fiuggi water, we are achieving significant benefits for all our guests in terms of weight reduction, water retention, lowering of blood sugar and all lipid values, including triglycerides and total cholesterol.
Any advice, in addition to coming to Fiuggi to follow its protocols, on behaviors and precautions to be taken to live more and better?
Our advice, as well as coming to Palazzo Fiuggi, is to try to follow a healthy lifestyle in order to ensure that your biological age is lower than your chronological one. A few fundamental tips would include eating lots of vegetables and fruit rich in polyphenols and few foods with saturated fats, sugars and refined flours. Take daily exercise, even if only for a short time, and drink lots of water, preferably from Fiuggi. Spend time on yourself and replenish what your body needs as you grow older.
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