life-extesion breakthrough -- newsflash May 2nd, 2007

Hey, thanks for all that excellent info!

I know I sometimes appear to be skipping a few steps and may come across as if I under- or over-valuing certain aspects. It's just the way my mind works ;-)

You brought up some very good points, including stuff I hadn't considered yet.

There actually have been studies which demonstrate periodic caloric restrictions (fasts) to be contributing significantly to one's health, and how they can potentially tag on some extra years even. I had lots of info saved on this, but unfortunately it's all on a currently crashed drive :(

From what I remembered (this is some years ago already so please bare with me), the concept revolved around different types of fasts (one long one or two shorter ones per year for instance) corresponding to certain age dependent health targets. The study displayed a list of fast lengths, a list of different types of fasts (with specific aims) together with recommended age groups. The information I reviewed concluded that one could potentially add as much as 30 years to one's life if one stuck to a specific *periodic* fast regime. The earlier one started in life with periodic fasting (as little as one 14-day fast a year), apparently the better the long term results would be. Stronger periodic fasting regimes (like four times a year) offered better results. I also remembered reading that people in their 50s-60s could still add as much as 10-15 years to their lives if they started regularly fasting. I don't remember the particular details though. At any rate, this information suggested to me that there were indeed health benefits to be gained from periodic caloric restrictions. Logic of course dictates that sustained lifestyle choices, such as restricting one's calories all year and regular exercise will offer the best long term health benefits. I know I could use a bit of a lifestyle change myself. I don't drink as much as I used too, but I've got a bit of a sweet tooth (Belgian chocolate) and love to cook and eat rich foods such as pastas ;-)

I'll make an effort to try to relocate that information. Obviously I'm in need of another look myself. I'll be sure to let you know if and when it crosses my screen again.

I'm not hypoglycemic actually. My dad is though. He's the main cause of my particular interests in these health matters. He's been diabetes type-2 for like 5 years. Diabetes type-2 I've come to understand is completely reversible. There was a UCLA study a while ago which concluded that by making simple dietary and exercise choices, it could be completely reversed in as little as three weeks. This information had been floating around for a while, but no major institution had backed such bold claims as of yet I think. Well, I did put my dad on a diabetes type-2 reversing diet a while ago, and his blood sugar near completely normalised after 20 days. He slipped back into drinking too much wine and snacking however, which of course doesn't help. This sort of a thing isn't a one shot deal but requires a permanent life style change. I've got him to avoid refined sugars, bleached flour, iodised salt and other refined products though (major contributors to diabetes). I've been talking to him about cleanses as well, and am considering doing one together with him one of these days. Got any recommendations? I've been reading about gal bladder and liver flushes which seem quit beneficial (long term use of statin drugs diminish liver function). He does take regular walks. The calorie intake will take a bit more effort, and another go at the magical three week 'ditch diabetes type-2' diet is right around the corner too. Gymnema Sylvestre is said to stimulate the pancreas into creating new beta cells even... I'm looking into that more closely as we speak.

"It's important to remember that our body also needs bacteria and we're symbiotic systems not hermetic ones. Bacteria are not our enemy as such, it's particular ones and the balance of our teensy symbiotic friends that are important to health."

Agreed. It gets tricky though when our blood pH gets 'deregulated.' One factor which explains why the body attacks the pancreas' beta cells is because particular blood pH levels promote/accelerate the growth of certain bacteria in our blood. When these in turn start proliferating (beyond the cozy symbiotic level), they will start attaching themselves for one onto these beta cells, and unless something changes will eventually cover them entirely. At that point, our body starts mistaking them for foreign invaders, and thus attacks them. There is no "cure" for diabetes because it simply isn't a "disease." It's an auto immune "condition" which with a bit of good -informed- motive and effort may be completely reversed and prevented all together. And it appears that all sorts of conditions may be linked with improper blood pH. It certainly makes sense to me, given that our bodies are mostly water...

"I know that David Wolfe proposes that the majority of illnesses are due to excess alkalinity but I'm not sure if it's been proven whether it's a symptom or a cause in regards to diabetes"

Well this is interesting. I was under the impression that too acidic of a pH is bad (as a consequence of modern processed foods and poor exercise) and that they key to reversing this is to alkalise the body through dietary choices (alkaline foods) and exercise. It's certainly possible that I've got something mixed up here. All I know is that urine pH is supposed to be registering at around pH 8, and that when you don't drink enough water it will drop progressively to a lower number which is considered acidic, and thus bad. Mine was registered at a whopping low pH 2 once (which was the 'acidic' reason for my case of kidney stones said the MD). I was instructed by my MD to drink lots of water so to raise my alkalinity level. Am I mixing something up here? Feel free to correct me if I am. I'm by no means a health expert ;-)

Another glass of anti-oxidant rich wine perhaps? 8)

dimi3 - Well it seems that I may have to eat my words regarding the short and longterm usefulness of fasting! Fortunately they have no calories ;-)

www.sciencedaily.com/release...5436.htm