ANTI-AGEING PROTOCOLS

 

 

Longevity

The population of the world is ageing. Currently 20% of the total western world population is over 60 years old.  Remarkably the average lifespan of humanity in 1800 was 25 years; in 1900 the average lifespan almost doubled to 48 years, and by 2000 it was about 80 years.  Predictions of reputable scientists forecast average lifespan in excess of 120 years before 2050.

 

The reason for improved life expectancy can logically be attributed to improvement in sanitation, vaccinations, antibiotics and earlier diagnosis of disease due to improved testing procedures, and vastly improved ER protocols.

This is borne out by statistical comparisons of the 3 major causes of death during various periods

e.g. 1900 > influenza, diarrhoea and pneumonia

      2000 > heart disease, cancer and stroke

Obviously as infectious diseases are not killing people as easily, they are living longer and are now dying from chronic degenerative diseases.

According to the genetic DNA information available, a human’s maximum life expectancy is 124 years (the oldest recorded living person, Jeanne Calment, died in 1997 at age 122).  It is postulated that the bone marrow stem cells which produce red and white blood cells, have a fixed lifespan of up to 2 years, after which they replicate.  Each cell then replicates 62 times thus limiting life expectancy at 124 years i.e. 62 replications each lasting 2 years.  Telomeres are nucleic acids extending from the ends of chromosomes.  Telomeres shorten with each cell division. No replications of cells can occur once the telomeres have shortened to a certain length.  At the end of the cell replication cycle the cell becomes dysfunctional and then dies.  Once enough cell death has occurred in an organ, that organ will begin degenerating resulting in organ failure, and once enough organ failure occurs, death of the entire organism occurs.

 

Major progress in stem cell manipulation is occurring which theoretically could result in organ regeneration, but as with cloning, it is still somewhat controversial, expensive and of course rejection is a problem as with organ transplants.

So, the fact that humanity is only achieving ⅔ of its lifespan potential needs investigating.  Why are we not actualising out potential – there are many reasons, but first let us try to understand what processes are occurring that cause premature ageing within the parameters of our current understanding of our genetic make-up restrictions.

 

The urge for a cell to divide results from cellular damage.  The rate at which cells divide may decline with age.  When new cells are no longer replacing dead or damaged cells, the result is ageing.  Cells that no longer replicate change form and release proteins that damage bodily tissues, resulting in increased ageing.

The fact that we are not achieving our potential lifespan is therefore mainly due to poor lifestyle choices that are hindering sustainable good health.

Youthful ageing has now become a goal.  We should grow older in years, but not biologically, thus maintaining a disease free body that is vital and energetic.

 

It is not normal for your body to age:  ageing is an accumulation of disease processes.

 

After the age of ± 23 years growth hormone levels have peaked and now start declining thus beginning the descent from a mostly anabolic (building) state to a gradually more catabolic (breaking down) state.

By the age of ±35 years signs of ageing begin to appear.  Lean muscle starts converting to fat.  Fat is not as metabolically active as muscle so weight gain is the result.  The heart and lungs become less balanced thus allowing the whole system to start slipping further into a catabolic state. The digestive system becomes less energised resulting in diminished gastric and enzymatic secretions, thus hindering nutrient assimilations from food causing energy depletion and poor blood formation resulting in poor tissue oxygenation and diminished kidney and brain function.  Hearing and eyesight may begin failing, the skin begins to thin and exhibit wrinkles, broken capillaries, mottled colour, lost elasticity , sagging joints etc.

In other words all disease states contribute to what we consider simply growing old.

 

Some of the main processes contributing to the ageing process include the following:

 

 

 

 

1.      It is a genetic fact that stem cells have a limited lifespan after which ageing rapidly occurs as cells die off.

 

2.      Free Radical damage or the oxidative stress process in which electron transfer occurs between cell wall membranes and free radicles in blood and body fluids resulting in cell membrane changes – free radicles are derived from toxins caused by; normal cellular metabolism, UV radiation, toxins in environment, preservatives in food, insecticides in food, chemical medicines, cigarette smoke, polluted air, chemicals in drinking water, chemicals in cosmetics, toiletries etc.

 

3.      Inefficient detoxification of the system including various liver pathways, lymphatic drainage, bowel cleaning and kidney function. This results in a build-up of acid in the body fluids in an attempt to isolate toxins.  This acid build up the results in increased fat cells to isolate the acids with the toxins.  Increased fat cell production causes an increased urge towards the catabolic state.

 

4.      Prolonged stress causes endocrine inbalance to set in causing:  increased insulin secretion and decreased DHEA and human growth hormone production, which is once again preventing anabolic processes, ultimately causing blood sugar disturbances and declining hormone production.

 

5.      Blood sugar inbalance resulting in diabetes and cross linkage of collagen fibres and glucose molecules causing wrinkling of the skin and hardening of connective tissue including organs.

 

6.      Chronic inflammation caused by:  high Homosysteine levels damaging blood vessels, a low kidney Jing essence, an overactive immune system, or lack of immune system actually allowing chronic low grade infections.

 

7.      Imbalanced immune system resulting in auto-immune diseases such as diabetes, crohn’s disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc. Lack of immune function resulting in infections and cancer.

 

8.      Connective Tissue Dissolution caused by diminishing life force in the kidneys resulting in Osteoporosis, collapse of integrity of blood vessels and inappropriate mineralisation of the body causing bone spurs and calcification such as arteriosclerosis.

 

9.      Dehydration – lack of body fluids in the connective tissue due to collapse of cell membranes and the subsequent inability of the connective tissue matrix to retain fluids properly.

 

 

 

Slowing of the ageing process can be achieved by incorporating as many of the following as possible:

 

1.      Calorie restriction – Being 5% underweight for your height is the only scientifically proven activity that can lengthen lifespan by 20%

 

2.      Eating a healthy diet which includes:

a)                              Eat organic food

b)                              Eat 70% of your food raw

c)                              Focus on alkalizing foods – mainly vegetables

d)                              Eat Omega 3 rich foods such as sardines, mackerel, pink salmon, tuna, flaxseeds

e)                              Eat low – fat proteins according to blood type information

f)                              Do not eat sugar, salt, fried foods, hydrogenated fats such as margarine or

            refined carbohydrates – (i.e. white flour products such as white bread, cakes)

    g)  Eat of these super foods often:  beans, Soya, blueberries, spinach, broccoli, oats, wild   saffron,   tea – green or black, tomatoes, oranges, turkey, pumpkin, walnut & apricot kernels & yoghurt

 

3.      Drink 30ml/Kg body weight per day of clean filtered water (distilled and reverse osmosis   water filters the best).

 

4.      Exercise – you don’t stop playing because you are getting old, you get old because you stop playing.

Osteoporosis is unheard of in rural communities that still work in the fields i.e. Physical activity builds strong bones, muscle and aids connective tissue and the anabolic urge in general.  Yoga and Pilates are wonderful exercises for flexibility.  The need for physical exercise cannot be stressed enough to maintain a youthful vigour.  Play games, dance, have fun.

 

5.      Restful sleep and being - get 6-8 hours quality sleep per night.  Sleep is essential to wellbeing and the ability to have quiet time contributes to a peaceful spirit.  The resulting harmonious equilibrium is essential to charge the life force.

 

6.      Deep breathing should be practised consciously for 10 minutes twice daily. Practice breathing in deeply into the abdomen – allowing the belly to expand on the in- breath and forcing the belly in on the out breath.  This calms the spirit and oxygenates the blood thus reducing blood acidity.

 

7.      Sunlight – you need at least ten minutes of full sunshine on your skin daily to generate enough vitamin D to promote bone strength and squalene to keep cholesterol under control.  But excessive sunlight can result in massive amounts of free radical generation in your body.  If you spend a lot of time in the sun, consume plenty of anti-oxidants to mop up the free radicals.

 

8.      Keep your mind active by reading, attending classes, learning another language, playing card games, having personal hobbies and interests, never retiring – all these activities help to keep you brain functioning optionally.

 

9.      De-stress your life by seeking balance by being in nature, exercising, playing games etc.

 

10.  Being in a loving environment has proven to be one of the most important factors in growing old gracefully – one study of a group of Harvard graduates showed that the one factor that proved to be more important than any other as to the general wellbeing of individuals in their twilight years was whether they were still in love with their life partners.

 

11.  Have regular check-ups with a doctor well versed in the Biomarkers of ageing to determine any health problems that could be treated.  These biomarkers include : aerobic capacity, anti-oxidant levels, auditory threshold, blood pressure, blood glucose, body fat %/ lean body mass, bone density, cholesterol, triglyceride, Homocysteine, visual threshold, PSA, DHEA, Oestrogen, Progesterone, free Testosterone, insulin, blood count, HGH (somatomedin), muscle strength, skin thickness, immune function.

12.  Supplementation should be viewed as augmenting your diet by providing optimum nutrition to feed all body systems as to not only prevent deficiencies, but to promote and sustain radiant health.  This supplementation should include all vitamins, minerals, trace elements, essential amino acids (those your body cannot manufacture itself), essential fatty acids (omega 3 & 6), Glyconutrients (monosaccharides), friendly bacteria (especially lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacter bifidus) and digestive enzymes.  These should all be consumed in therapeutic doses rather than RDAs (recommended daily allowances) which only prevent deficiencies.  In addition to these basic nutrients that we should be getting from our foods, but no longer do, due to modern farming methods, we need to feed our systems with specific natural ingredients that have the following properties:

 

Incarnating - grounding substances that anchor our consciousness in the physical body thus enhancing hearing, eyesight, brain function, memory and connective tissue integrity (e.g. gravel root, Viscum album and Vinca major extract).

 

Human Growth Hormone Secretaogues – which increase production of Human Growth Hormone that increases the anabolic urge thus promoting connective tissue, lean muscle to fat, increased libido, increased energy, increased hormone production (e.g. Macuma pruriens, Colostrum, Pantocrine, Phosphatidyl choline, Paba, L-Arginine-L-Pyroglutamate, L-Tyrosine, L-Ornithine).

 

Anabolic Enhancers – increase the anabolic urge by promoting and preserving free testosterone in the system, thus increase, vigour, libido, lean muscle and connective tissue (e.g. Eurycoma Longifolia, Maca, Tribulus terrestris, Beta Sito Sterol, Saw Palmetto)

 

Yin Jing Tonics preserve the life force in the kidneys thus promoting strong bones; mental activity, hair colour and are tonic for the kidneys, liver, heart, lungs spleen and pancreas. (e.g. Polygonum multiflora, Goji Lycuim Berries.)

 

Yang Jing Tonics – stimulate the anabolic process of the body.  By combining with energy derived from food the animating vitality of the body and the blood energy is created.  Increases vital energy, lowers high blood pressure, increases libido, enhances memory, stimulates hormone production (e.g. Pantocrine, Eucommia Bark, Epimedium).

 

Blood tonics stimulate the production of blood cells and the proper formation of the blood fluids thus creating the ideal transporting medium for nutrients and energy to wherever they are required (e.g. White Peony, Longan Berries, Prepared Rehmannia root, Dong Quai, Stinging Nettle).

 

Blood Circulation factors ensure even distribution of blood to all areas of the body – improper blood movement causes many problems such as pain, poor memory, tinnitus, cold hands and feet, slow healing wounds, hair loss and general lassitude (e.g. Gota Cola, Cayenne, Ligisticum, Hawthorn berries, Gingko Biloba, Ginger, Vitamin B3).

 

Cellular Energisers are the spark plugs of the body which fire up the tiny little power stations (mitochondria) responsible for converting oxygen and glucose into Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) which is the principle source of energy in the body.  Low energy production by the mitochondria results in: chronic fatigue, poor memory, poor cellular detoxification causing rapid cellular ageing, angina pectoris, etc. (e.g. Co-enzyme Q10, N-acetyl- L-Carnitine, DMAE, Germanium – organic).

 

Brain Tonics increase blood circulation in the brain and increase specific energies required for normal brain function thus improving memory and clarity of thought (e.g. Gingko biloba, Gota Cola, Schizandra, Vinca Major extract, Omega 3 oils, L-Arginine- L-Pyroglutamate, Phosphatidyl-Serine, B vitamins)

 

Shen tonics calm the spirit enabling the heart and lungs to become balanced (e.g. Asparagus root, Ophiopogon root, Avena Sativa, Reishi Mushroom).

 

Anti-stress adaptogens  help the endocrine system maintain balance in it’s responses to the environment thus enabling the system to cope with stress without causing abnormal reactions (e.g. Rhodiola Rosea, Ashwagandha Somnifera, Reishi mushroom, Gynostema Pentaphyllum, Avena Sativa, Panax ginseng, Codonopsis root, Vitamin B5, PABA).

 

Vitality (chi) tonics are those which provide energy to motivate the entire physical body to vibrant activity           (Panax Ginseng, Codonopsis root, Royal Jelly, Bee pollen, Astragalus root, White Atractylodes).

 

Digestive Stimulants and aids stimulate or add to secretions of the digestive tract thus enabling normal digestion and assimilation of nutrients from food to provide the energy and building blocks for a health body (e.g. Bioperine, Centaury, Pancreatin, Bromelain, Papain, Enzyme formula, Artichoke)

 

Pre and Pro biotics provide and feed the friendly bacteria required for normal enzyme production and digestive system function normally depleted by antibiotic usage. (e.g. Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacter Bifidus,                  Fructo-oligo polysaccharides)

 

Immune Balancing  is essential to maintain a healthy body.  Immune deficiency allows chronic infections and cancer to prevail whereas an overactive immune system causes diseases such as lupus, type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia to occur. (e.g. Astragalus root, Reishi mushroom, Beta Sito Sterol, Beta 1.3 Glucans, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Beta Carotene, Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin E, Tocotrienol, Aloe Ferox Conc. 200:1)

 

Glucose/Fat metabolic control is essential to prevent hyperlipidemia and diabetes (e.g. Gynostemma Pentaphylla, Policosanol, Chromium Polynicotinate).

 

Connective tissue maintenance requires Kidney Jing Yin to constantly be replenished in order for the etheric blueprint for the correct laying down of all components of the physical body to be in place. Lack of connective tissue integrity results in Osteoporosis, Osteo-arthritis, joint weakness, hair loss, splintering of teeth , calcification of the entire system causing arteriosclerosis, bone spurs etc. (e.g. Collagen Matrix bovine and marine complex, Glucosamine Sulphate, Quercetin, Grape seed extract, Pine Bark extract, Gotu Cola, Hawthorn berries, Vitamin C, Citrus Bioflavonoids, Resveratrol, Billberry extract, L-Proline, L-Lysine)

 

Anti-inflammatory substances suppress the tendency to inflammation and swelling thus keeping catabolic urges at bay.  Inflammation coupled with deficient connective tissue in the vascular system causes plaquing which breaks away causing clots in the heart and brain thus causing heart attacks and strokes (e.g. MSM, Bromelain, Turmeric, Ginger, Omega 6 oil).

 

Anti-oxidants neutralise free radicals which are possibly the main culprit causing premature ageing (e.g. Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Beta Carotene, Lycopene, Zeaxanthin, Lutein, Resveratrol, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Vitamin E, Tocotrienols, Billberry extract, Grape Seed extract, Pine bark extract, Green tea extract, Selenium, Zinc).

 

Anti- Mutagenic substances prevent the DNA strands changing in response to the environment thus becoming cancerous (Germanium, Resveratrol).

 

System detoxifiers remove toxins from the organs, blood and lymphatic system (Dandelion root, Burdock root, Cleavers, Red Clover, Calendula Flos, Alpha Lipoic acid, Indole- 3 Carbinol, Magnesium Peroxide).

 

Anti-clotting agents prevent and dissolve clots in the blood stream (e.g. Nattokinase, Gingko biloba, Red Clover).

 

Acid-Alkaline balance is encouraged by: energising kidney function; removing toxins from cells, blood and lymph systems; increasing absorptions of potassium to increase oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells and by increasing tissue oxygenation which all lower acidity (e.g. Astragalus Root, Dandelion root, Schizandra, Panax, Ginseng, Codonopsis root, Red Clover, Cleavers, Calendula, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Apple Cider Vinegar, Magnesium Peroxide).

 

If a person were to follow all the suggestions on slowing the ageing process and take the above supplements in meaningful doses the possibility really does exist that our life expectancy would be well over 100 years.  The longer we apply the above principles the less the risk of contractions the dreaded degenerative diseases that are currently killing humanity.

References:

 Superfoods by Steven Pratt MD and Kathy Matthews

The Baby Boomers Guide to Living Forever by Terry Grassman MD

Age Power by Leslie Kenton

The Perricone Promise by Nicholas Perricone MD

The Second Brain by Michael D Gershon MD

What Really Works by Susan Clarke

The New Anti-Ageing Revolution by Dr Ronald Klatz and Dr Robert Goldman

The Life Extension Revolution by Philip Lee Miller MD and The Life Extension Foundation by Monica Renagel

The Anti-Ageing Handbook by Dr Geraldine Mitton

                                                         

 

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