Eat less and live longer

I just returned from an anti-aging conference called RAADFest in San Diego. The general theme was that aging is a disease process, and it can be conquered just like other diseases. There are treatments available today that can potentially add a decade or two of healthy life. If medical science can solve the problems they're currently working on, the potential healthy lifespan will be at least 200 years. Beyond that, they'll have to get closer to even identify the limits.

A separate organization (but the same people...) called the Society for Age Reversal runs the website http://www.rescueelders.org . Watch the video under the "About" menu item for a good overview of the current status. And for a list of treatments that you can do today read the PDF under "Research", "RAADfest 2018 Age Reversal Update".

The treatments include taking the drug rapamycin for mTOR inhibition, NAD+ infusion (do not know exactly what it does, but when it goes to zero you're deanimated), and dasatinib / quercetin for removal of senescent cells. And then of course stem cells.

Calorie restriction and fasting apparently inhibit mTOR and maybe remove some senescent cells.

A few people are doing these treatments, and some of them are reporting their experience on the rescueelders website. Most others are doing nothing - they are called the control group...

 

Reminds me of the meme out there about people out on the left coast suddenly dying from 'nothing.'

OTOH, yeah.
Why not?

As the shadows get longer on my life and I begin to battle joints, memory irregularities, and other life-issues I can see where tacking on a few more decades might be a pretty cool thing to do....as long as I'm extending the whole life thing instead of prolonging the death process.

I remember a conversation between my grandmother and her 4 daughters about someone getting a hip replacement in their 90's.
One of my aunts quipped that she didn't see where that made any kind of sense.

My nonagenarian grandmother immediately replied:
"That's easy for YOU to say! YOU are not in your nineties!"

I personally lean away from fads but I'm not a moron.
I currently exercise and eat a 99% plant-based diet and take vitamins.....

"Go Medicinal Research!!"

(please, hurry!)

 

It just seems longer, because you're hungry, bored and sad.

 

the only 'longer' i've seen is in nursing homes and memory care. it's not a pretty picture.

 

I quit work in 2009, and took care of my mom full-time for the last 7 years of her life. Difficult at times, frustrating at times, but I would gladly do it again. I believe that's what kids are for. She passed away peacefully, at age 94. (Lung cancer.) Navy veteran.

Before that, it was my dad. He also had a long bout with cancer and much suffering. Unable to eat any solid food for the last 6 months. Liquid only, through a feeding tube in his side. Mom was still around then and helped a great deal. He was one tough Marine! USMC World War II.

They died in their own home. That's how they wanted it. Dad passed away on their wedding anniversary! He was 87. I still cry when I think about it. They were very good parents; My sisters & I were very fortunate to have them.

 

yep, going through the same with my almost 98 year old father. seems to be the state of things these days.
pharma can keep us alive, but the quality isn't always there.

 

Yes, it's very sad to see. My dad was taking a dozen different prescriptions for the last few years. Mom, about 6. I got to hand it to them... very tough folks. I never heard them complain. Heck, if that was me, I'd be taking a long walk off a shot pier!!

 

It's tough in America, because I think we embrace the "bigger is better" philosophy as far as dining portions.
In the USA, we kind of like the all you can eat buffet. And we will frequent restaurants that offer HUGE dining portions.

There is a restaurant, near me, that has made quite a reputation based on serving King Kong Monster Island like breakfasts. They are huge. The place is always packed, and I have gone. They literally serve "Compact Spare" size pancakes, 1/2 a hen house servings of eggs, and sausage and bacon in enormous serving size.
I will say, most everyone I see, ends up taking stuff home in take home containers. But the point is...Americans seem to love the LOTS. We really aren't programmed to eat just enough. Or accept the "reasonable" portion.
Maybe that will all change as more succeeding generations age, and deal with the problems associated with over eating and obesity?

No scientific basis, but I will say, when I was younger, I was a runner. And I kept myself on the razors edge.
I think the real trick is if you keep your body programmed to a realistic intake? Things really seem better. You enjoy what is good...more. You really find you don't want the extra serving or the fast food entree.

The problem is...we strip the gears. Suddenly we are eating 3 huge meals a day. And we don't even count the coffees and Mocha's.

 

I average about 2600 calories/day. Anything is fair game to eat, but usually a very good quality mix of protiens, carbs, and fats - meats, veggies, fruit, nuts, some grains. The other side of my caloric management is approximately 5 hours of cardio and 2 hours resistance training per week. I'm at the top of my BMI, but most would agree I'm in pretty good shape.

I know there are no guarantees, but I think I'm doing everything to help my cause... I guess I'll see.

 

I pretty much eat what I want. But just not as often, or as much. I certainly don't need 3 meals a day! Mucho Gordo.

I'm 65. My atturide goes from "trying really hard", to,"the heck with it." God can take me any time He pleases.

 

And here we have Suzanne Somers and Bill Faloon harvesting rich folks money for anti-aging research. I think the venue is Trump's Mar-A-Logo.

 

And then there's the financial factor....

"The average American has less than $5,000 in a financial account, a quarter to a fifth of what you should have, and those aged 55 to 64 who have retirement savings only carry $120,000 — which won't last long in the absence of paychecks," the survey reports. (That seems like a stretch. I bet most older folks don't even have $120K.)

If people really want to live longer, they had better be financially prepared. Most aren't. Many don't have pensions. And then you have to ask yourself.... How long do I really want to live in this crazy world?! I hope I'm long gone before Russia, China, and Iran start launching on us.

I don't want to be old & sickly. I certainly don't want to extend my life if I'm going to be incapacitated, a burden to others, or I end up in an assisted living facility (which I can't afford!). I also don't have any family members who are willing to take on the "care giver" role. I'm on my own.

--- back to my cold Pizza and Diet Coke.

 

I think the word you're looking for is "retaliating".

Breakfast of champions.

 

Not quite. This is just a midnight snack. Donuts & coffee are still to come.

Maybe the OP will go back to discussing UFOs. That's not as depressing as wanting to live to be 150.

 

I'd love to see what the world is like in 104 years. But only if I can enjoy it.

In the light of what @bisco and others have said, my hope is that my body gives up before my mind does.

 

Agreed. I already find myself becoming forgetful. Misplacing things, losing things, etc.

I have to check & recheck the house before I leave in the morning.
Left the keys hanging in the unlocked door, got in my Prius and took off.
Walked outside with no pants on...
Got out of my car several times without turning the Power off.
Forget to mail letters that have been sitting there for 3 weeks.
Get to the store, and realize I don't have my money with me.
Those are just a few minor things.

 

i'd prefer my mind to go first. i've witnessed both, and there's nothing worse than being stuck physically and thinking about all the things you would like to do. unless you're steven hawking.

 

Good point. Depends on what age our mind goes? If I'm very elderly, it may not matter much which goes first because I probably won't be able to do any physical things?

Heck, I don't know. This is a depressing subject! I don't care what advances science makes, I don't want to live to be 150. (Getting ready to go take a drive... Do I got my pants on? Check.)