Can aging really be reversed, stopped, or slowed?
Dr. de Grey proposes that scientists currently know more than enough to begin development of anti-aging medicine. Dr. de Grey believes that current medicine could formulate therapies to halt or reverse cell degeneration that causes aging.Essentially, we are able to stay alive as long as we have plenty of living, healthy cells. Up until now, human cells have not had the ability to last indefinitely. They die (senescence or "cell death") for seven main reasons, discussed in Dr. de Grey's book "Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence" (also called "SENS").
The author presents methods for repairing cell damage caused by these seven contributors of senescence (cell death) and for rejuvenating cells, reverting them back to their original healthy state.
These processes would be performed at the molecular and DNA levels.
Until such time that science is able to master these processes, we must use the current tools and knowledge on hand to make our cells last as long as possible with good health. This is called longevity. Each of us has the ability to make our own cells healthier and last longer. Three things that help to maintain healthy cells are:
- Antioxidants. The most potent antioxidant is quercetin, found in certain fruits and vegetables (also in grapes and red wine). It is also available from herbal suppliers. More on how antioxidants kill cancerous and pre-cancerous cells.
- Enzymes. Enzymes, vital to human health, are abundant in raw, fresh fruits and vegetables. Cooking, freezing, and most drying destroys enzymes. Enzymes begin to die at 106 degrees Fahrenheit. According to Yoshihide Hagiwara, M.D., our bodies use enzymes for everything ranging from digestion to regulating hormone production. When we obtain enzymes from raw, fresh vegetables and fruits, our bodies function more efficiently, causing improvement in health and longevity. Antioxidants cannot be digested, absorbed, or used by the body without enzymes.
- Prevent Buildup of Cellular Waste. According to the Division of Experimental Pathology II Faculty of Health Sciences and the Department of Pharmacology at Linköping University in Sweden, a plant-based diet can slow down the degeneration of human cells. Consuming animal-based foods accelerates the buildup of metabolic byproducts (cellular waste) which accumulates in and around our cells, thus shortening life. In addition to extending cell life, avoidance of animal-based foods would cause heart disease to cease being the number one killer and cancer to cease being the number two killer of the Western World as well as a host of other conditions that shorten life span. Also, being overweight contributes to the accelleration of this toxic cellular buildup, since it is a byproduct of metabolism.
The three (3) leading causes of death in the United States are:
- Heart disease,
- Cancer, and
- Hospital-related errors and infections and side-effects of drugs (according to Dr. Barbara Starfield of Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health).
Some people attest that they prefer a short life to a long life with good health. The reason being that responsibility for health and longevity requires discipline. A disciplined lifestyle involving proper diet and exercise is not fun for those living for instant gratification. Changing one's focus from self destruction toward enjoyment of good health and good quality of life automatically inspires longevity as a one of life's many goals.
How Can We Avoid Death by the Three Leading Causes?
- Death by Heart Disease. We can avoid heart disease death (the #1 killer of Westerners) by adhering to the advice of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, a renowned Cleveland Clinic surgeon who conducted decades of studies and research on the impact of nutrition on heart disease, and eventually authored the book "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease." Dr. Esselstyn sums it up by saying that a nonfat plant-based diet will reverse arterial plaque that has built up from years of high cholesterol (cholesterol over 150). This arterial buildup narrows arteries, causing strokes, heart attacks, senility, and life-threatening conditions resulting from poor circulation.
- Death by Cancer. We can reduce or eliminate our risk of cancer (the #2 killer of meat- and dairy-consuming civilizations) by adhering to a lifestyle followed by civilizations known for their extreme longevity and good health. In a nutshell, eat a plant-based diet of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds (also referred to as a "vegan" diet).
- Death by Hospital-related Errors & infections and side-effects of drugs*.
*According to Dr. Barbara Starfield of Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, the #3 killer of Westerners is the combined total of death by hospital-related errors & infections and side-effects of pharmaceutical drugs.
