Most people these days attach a lot of importance to looking young and it is no exaggeration that looking younger than one's age gives people an unbeatable high. To achieve this dream, many are willing to go any length just to knock off years from their looks.

One does not need to very far to look for those magic potions or pills to slow down ageing, for the secret may just lie in one's own hands.

Recent research has claimed that eating fewer calories can retard the ageing process and offset many age-associated diseases such as cancer, dementia and type-2 diabetes.

Researchers also found that cutting the consumption of sugar and protein and ensuring intake of vitamins and minerals holds the secret to longevity.

This point was amply proved during research on animals which showed that reduced calorie intake added years to animals' lifespan.

Cutting calorie intake improved levels of an enzyme called peroxiredoxin [Prx1], which offers protection against the effects of ageing.

'We are able to show that caloric restriction slows down ageing by preventing an enzyme, peroxiredoxin, from being inactivated. This enzyme is also extremely important in counteracting damage to our genetic material. Impaired Prx1 function leads to various types of genetic defects and cancer. Conversely, we can now speculate whether increased repair of Prx1 during ageing can counteract," researchers said.