When a person reaches the age of 100 and still gives some form of lecture, writes books and cooks dinner himself, that’s a good enough reason to ask him: “How did you achieve that?”
If he is also a doctor who has worked closely with oncologists, his advice deserves additional attention. It is about the Romanian doctor and popularizer of medicine dr. Mihail Pautovwho shared this observation at a gathering:
“After the age of 40, the heart and blood vessels require special attention, they are the first to suffer the consequences of stress and changes associated with aging. For example, I included coenzyme Q10 in my diet, which supports cellular metabolism, which slows down with age. However, do not experiment with anything, including nutritional supplements, without consulting a doctor,” said Dr. Pautov.
On another occasion, the doctor listed the foods he eliminated from his diet after the age of 40:
1. Processed meat products: ‘saboteurs’ from the refrigerator
“Sausages, hot dogs, salami and industrially produced bacon – cross them off! The World Health Organization (WHO) classified processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen back in 2015, putting it in the same category as tobacco. It all boils down to the method of production. Smoking, preservatives, nitrites… in the body are transformed into substances that damage cells. They are like a ticking time bomb.”
A recent study by Harvard University (2023) confirmed that even 30 grams of processed meat per day (about one slice of bacon) increases the risk of colon cancer by 15 percent. Scientists from the University of Oxford also found a connection between industrial cured meat products and the development of stomach and pancreatic tumors.
“In general, I’m not against meat,” said the doctor. “But if we’re talking about a product that doesn’t spoil for months and has a plastic-like texture, it’s not food, it’s a chemical experiment.”
2. White sugar: the sweet bomber of the defense system
“Sugar is not an enemy if you consume it in moderation and if it is unrefined,” says Dr. Mihail Pautov. “But when you ingest it in larger quantities through sweets and in the form of refined white sugar, it becomes fuel for inflammatory processes. And where there is chronic inflammation, there is also an increased risk of cancer.”
The mechanism is simple: sudden increases in glucose levels stress the pancreas, which then produces excess insulin. This encourages the growth of cells, including abnormal ones. Research published in the journal Nature (2022) found that high blood sugar increases the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women by 22 percent.
“Sugar weakens the immune system,” adds the doctor. “White blood cells, which should fight cell damage, instead spend energy neutralizing excess glucose. It’s like sending the army to collect candy wrappers instead of defending the borders,” the doctor put it vividly.
What type of food does this hundred-year-old doctor choose for himself?
“Fish, eggs, lentils, beans…” he answers.
“Grill steaks are not to my taste either, roasted chicken with herbs is a much better choice.”
It is sweetened, as he says, with fruit and small amounts of honey.
“Sometimes I treat myself to a date spread, it’s sweet, but less harmful.”
Steamed vegetables, soups, green tea and nutritional supplements with vitamins C and D and zinc are also part of his routine.
“The immune system needs to be properly nourished, especially after the age of 50. I highly recommend steamed vegetables, soups, green tea,” he says.
Dr. Mihailo Pautov’s philosophy of longevity reads:
“I lived to be a hundred because every day I thought about what I was going to feed my body with. Health is not a genetic lottery, but a sum of small decisions. I have seen enough cases of cancer for several lifetimes…”
