How to Slow Down the Aging Process

Introduction

Even though aging is a natural biological process common to all living things on this earth, man has always sought the fountain of youth in a vain attempt to prolong life. Despite the imposing advances in medicine and surgery during the past century, at age 60 man’s life expectancy has only increased about four years. Recent advances in biochemistry and nutrition suggest that there is now a possibility of significantly prolonging the average life span. Whether or not this will ever be accomplished depends upon a number of factors which deserve discussion.

It cannot be denied that the bristlecone pine of the Rocky Mountains may live 4,000 years, a Sequoia 2,000 years, a Galapagos turtle 200 years, while the elephant and human beings can aspire to only about 100. In other words, there seems to be a built in time clock for various living species, at which time almost all individuals seem to self-destruct. Nevertheless, it is possible that this time limit can be extended and it is certainly obvious that very few individuals live to the ripe old age of 100 in full possession of their faculties and in fairly good health. Therefore, even within the 100 year limit, there is much to be done from the preventive aspect to improve the health and vigor of even those individuals with poor inheritance. We will consider as many aspects of this subject as time permits.

The Biologic Clock

1. Natural span of man and trees and animals as mentioned above; rapid decline of Pacific salmon after spawning (Acidosis); Progeria in man accompanied by death within 15 years of birth. Built in life span genetically programmed via DNA and RNA?
2. Exceptions: Hunzas, Georgians (Abkhazian chorus–all members said to be over 100); 16,000 Americans supposed to be over 100, these figures to be taken with a grain of salt.

Factors Influencing Span

1. Youth hormone?; (parabiotic rats and cockroaches).
2. Temperature–in cold blooded animals, an increase in temperature is accompanied by increased metabolism and reduction in length of life. Lowering the temperature of warm blooded animals by even a small amount increases the life span. (Strehler, USC) Work has been done on monkeys by manipulating the thermostat area in the brain and has been moderately effective in lengthening life when the body temperature was reduced by one-half of one degree.

Aging Process

Deterioration in all body cells–some more marked than others. Loss of cells; loss of capacity to retain fluids and eliminate wastes; increase in fibrous tissue; osteoporosis; glandular inactivity; less reserve capacity; decreased resistance to stress and infection; atherosclerosis with reduced blood supply; decreased enzyme activity; degenerative diseases. Blurring or damage to genetic material; change in DNA or RNA and enzyme replication; “cross linkage” theory; “auto-immunity”; “free radicals” (L. Hayflick, Stanford); cellular garbage or clinkers; (A. L. Tappel) polyunsaturates, Vitamin C, E and other deficiencies. (slides) Lipid perioxidation.

Cellular research–Cultures, Leonard Hayflick (Stanford). Normal cells mortal, malignant cells immortal. Embryonic cells divide 50 times ± 10. (Packer and Smith) Older cells fewer. Deep freeze, etc. Heart cells (CriIe).

1. Reduced calorie intake (Clive McKay) = prolonged life but decreased healthy activity.
2. Production of RNA can be increased in that of an old rat by DNA from a young rat.
3. W. Donner Denckla (Roche Inst. of Molecular Biology, Nutley, N. J.) believes clock of aging resides in hypothalamus. “Death hormone”. May inhibit cells from utilizing other hormones, probably thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism closely mimics aging.
4. Hormones–estrogen, testosterone, adrenal, thyroid, pituitary.
5. Anti-stress factors in raw and desiccated liver, as well as wheat germ oil.
6. Dietary fiber.
7. Intestinal toxemia.
8. The Universal Scavenger–progenitor crypticides (Livingstons et al.)

Practical Suggestions

1. Heredity vital. We cannot choose ancestors but can assure our children or grandchildren of best possible nutrition available.
2. Seek the best possible foods from fertile soils–uncontaminated by nitrates, pesticides, herbicides, DES, antithyroid hormones, etc.
3. Since we are all nutritional cripples, most of us need supplemental vitamins and minerals (Roger Williams, etc.). Megavitamins O.K. for some. Thyroid and vitamins (Murray Israel). Chelation (Evers).
4. Avoid chemicals like the plague; i.e., pesticides inside or outside the house and herbicides on lawn. Hair sprays, lysol spray, etc.
5. Avoid sugar and products made from white flour–empty calories and stale fats. Sugar induces decalcification of bones and teeth.
6. No margarine or hydrogenated fats. Certified raw dairy products desirable.
7. Avoid tobacco, marijuana, alcohol and other drugs.
8. Adequate vitamin and mineral intake:
   1. Vitamin C–1000 to 10,000 mg. (tongue test)
   2. Vitamin E–200 i. u. or more (Lester Packer & James Smith, Berkeley, Cultured Diploid cells & Vit. E)
   3. B-Complex–good intake
   4. Desiccated liver caps or tablets–8 to 12
   5. Yeast (desiccated), 15 grams if it agrees
   6. Vitamin A–25,000 to 50,000
   7. Vitamin D (natural), 2,000 units
   8. Magnesium, calcium, bone meal tablets, manganese, etc. (hair tests); trace elements. Kelp and Comfrey.
   9. Dietary analysis, history often enough. Most foods deficient anyway. (Henry Schroeder, Dartmouth)
   10. Polyunsaturates. Linoleic, arachidonic, polymers, cistrans.
   11. Balanced intake essential–grow foods at home. Buy uncontaminated foods when available. (Vits. C, B-Complex, A and E will help counteract smog). Avoid stress. Get exercise and rest if you can. If not, take large amounts of vitamins and minerals and get your foods in as natural a state as possible.
   12. Nucleic acids (RNA and DNA). Frank and others. Murray–choloxin increases thyroxin in body.
   13. Prostaglandins.
9. The recognition of and treatment for allergy to pollens, dust, molds, foods and chemicals in food, air or water are of vital importance. (Arthritis, toxic fatigue, emotional disorders, etc.).
10. A healthy outlook towards life and sustained interests and enthusiasm are a sine qua non for a long and healthy life.