Thoughts of My Mother And What I Know Now

Early in my scientific career, I remember my mother puffing on a cigarette demanding I “find a way to reverse aging.” I don’t recall if I responded with a sarcastic remark or just thought of one to the effect of…“stop smoking.” A number of years later, while on her way to the hospital for breathing issues, a young physician recommended she get acupuncture for smoking cessation when she was released from the hospital. She, unfortunately, died of a hospital acquired infection at the age of 62 and didn’t get the opportunity to try acupuncture.

My grandfather had his first heart attack in his 40’s, subsequently had a number of bypass operations, and took disability and early retirement in his 60’s. He lived almost 30 more years before he died of liver cancer.

Fast forward a number of years, and I have a son born with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). When my son was diagnosed 19 years ago, the prognosis for the disease was, in my mind, relatively poor, most dying before 30. His diagnosis was probably one of the single worse days of my life. Three years later, his sister was born, also, with CF, another devastating blow.

When I asked the pulmonologist how they treat the disease progression, I wasn’t given anything substantially to sink my teeth into, other than compassion.

These life changing events along with the echo of my mother’s words set me on my pursuit of longevity of health rather than one of anti-aging. Because I knew the Chinese had herbs that could boost immunity, I became an acupuncturist.

What I’ve learned so far:
1. Most suffering and premature death could be prevented with life style changes.
2. Diseases resulting from genetic defects, such as CF might progress at a much slower rate with life style changes. Genetics are modifiable with diet.
3. Diet is, signally, the most important lifestyle change we can make, followed by smoking cessation, and exercise.
4. Along with vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables contain a complex mixture of phytochemicals, possessing potent antioxidant, antiproliferative, and cancer-protective activity. Meat is devoid of these compounds.

Benefits of vegetarian and or vegan diet.
1. Lower risk of lung, oral, esophageal, stomach and colon cancer.
2. Diet modifies the risk of lung cancer both in smokers and lifelong nonsmokers.
3. Lower blood cholesterol levels.
4. Lower risk of heart disease.
5. Lower blood pressure.
6. Lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
7. Lower body mass index (BMI).
8. Lower risk of dementia.
9. Lower risk of diverticulitis.
10. May be a useful treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
11. Plant protein can meet the protein requirements at all stages of life, including pregnant women, infants, children and competitive athletes.

Other than fish, I’ve been unable to find scientific studies that show any health benefits associated with meat consumption. To the contrary, I found negative effects related to meat consumption.

1. High protein intake, especially animal protein can increase urinary excretion of calcium.
2. Postmenopausal women with diets high in animal protein and low in plant protein have a high rate of bone loss and an increase risk of hip fracture.

Although scientists have not been able to reverse aging as my mother had wished, they’ve been able to significantly slow it down with calorie restriction, some believing it will be possible to live to a 120 in the near future.
If living to a 120 isn’t your thing but want to live as disease free as possible, let the animals roam wild and eat fruits and vegetables!