The thread on longevity and health

[mccoy]

“We could not predict that prolonged fasting would have such a remarkable effect in promoting stem cell-based regeneration of the hematopoietic system,” said corresponding author Valter Longo, Edna M. Jones Professor of Gerontology and the Biological Sciences at the USC Davis School of Gerontology and director of the USC Longevity Institute. Longo has a joint appointment at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

“When you starve, the system tries to save energy, and one of the things it can do to save energy is to recycle a lot of the immune cells that are not needed, especially those that may be damaged,” Longo said. “What we started noticing in both our human work and animal work is that the white blood cell count goes down with prolonged fasting. Then when you re-feed, the blood cells come back. So we started thinking, well, where does it come from?”

Fasting cycles
Prolonged fasting forces the body to use stores of glucose, fat and ketones, but it also breaks down a significant portion of white blood cells. Longo likens the effect to lightening a plane of excess cargo.

During each cycle of fasting, this depletion of white blood cells induces changes that trigger stem cell-based regeneration of new immune system cells. In particular, prolonged fasting reduced the enzyme PKA, an effect previously discovered by the Longo team to extend longevity in simple organisms and which has been linked in other research to the regulation of stem cell self-renewal and pluripotency — that is, the potential for one cell to develop into many different cell types. Prolonged fasting also lowered levels of IGF-1, a growth-factor hormone that Longo and others have linked to aging, tumor progression and cancer risk.

“PKA is the key gene that needs to shut down in order for these stem cells to switch into regenerative mode. It gives the OK for stem cells to go ahead and begin proliferating and rebuild the entire system,” explained Longo, noting the potential of clinical applications that mimic the effects of prolonged fasting to rejuvenate the immune system. “And the good news is that the body got rid of the parts of the system that might be damaged or old, the inefficient parts, during the fasting. Now, if you start with a system heavily damaged by chemotherapy or aging, fasting cycles can generate, literally, a new immune system.”

Prolonged fasting also protected against toxicity in a pilot clinical trial in which a small group of patients fasted for a 72-hour period prior to chemotherapy, extending Longo’s influential past research.

“While chemotherapy saves lives, it causes significant collateral damage to the immune system. The results of this study suggest that fasting may mitigate some of the harmful effects of chemotherapy,” said co-author Tanya Dorff, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital. “More clinical studies are needed, and any such dietary intervention should be undertaken only under the guidance of a physician.”

“We are investigating the possibility that these effects are applicable to many different systems and organs, not just the immune system,” said Longo, whose lab is in the process of conducting further research on controlled dietary interventions and stem cell regeneration in both animal and clinical studies.

The study was supported by the National Institute of Aging of the National Institutes of Health (grant numbers AG20642, AG025135, P01AG34906). The clinical trial was supported by the V Foundation and the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (P30CA014089).

Chia Wei-Cheng of USC Davis was first author of the study. Gregor Adams, Xiaoying Zhou and Ben Lam of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC; Laura Perin and Stefano Da Sacco of the Saban Research Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; Min Wei of USC Davis; Mario Mirisola of the University of Palermo; Dorff and David Quinn of the Keck School of Medicine of USC; and John Kopchick of Ohio University were co-authors of the study.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

It seems like every area of Gods creation is like a universe in itself replete with many approaches and many views. Many of them seem to contradict conventional views including my own on being a vegetarian early in life. i do not think anyone wants to take your passion away from you mccoy on this subject of longevity and some of your interests rub off so you find me here. i will say this though... i do believe i will live forever....not always in this body but it may be some place more suited for me so longevity for me is mostly about the souls conscious awareness as it moves from one ecasement to another and finally frees itself of all encasements. The whole idea of longevity then becoming obsolete as part of time and space.

[mccoy]

Steve, of course present longevity is risible compared to other longevities, my point is that if we can increase our healthspan, which is our healthy lifespan,  we might have a probability by following certain guidelines.

Longevity in the sense of living up to 120 years has not much meaning, since after 100 there is usually not much strenght in the body nor in the mind. Definitely there is not after 110. Let's say that, presently, reaching a centenary age does not seem to bring about particular advantages.
Whereas, lowering the probability of degenerative disease until a certain age, may seem desirable.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Steve, of course present longevity is risible compared to other longevities, my point is that if we can increase our healthspan, which is our healthy lifespan,  we might have a probability by following certain guidelines.

Longevity in the sense of living up to 120 years has not much meaning, since after 100 there is usually not much strenght in the body nor in the mind. Definitely there is not after 110. Let's say that, presently, reaching a centenary age does not seem to bring about particular advantages.
Whereas, lowering the probability of degenerative disease until a certain age, may seem desirable.

i support u in your efforts mccoy and read your material!

[Jitendra Hydonus]

"All the proper food materials can be classified under the following : minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, fats.

Individuals differ in their needs as regards. and proportion of these classes of foods. Occupational activity is one factor. The need of strengthening certain faculties and organs and body parts is another consideration. So it takes study of foods and study of your needs, in order to select your food properly."

~ Paramahansa Yogananda

[mccoy]

"All the proper food materials can be classified under the following : minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, fats.
Individuals differ in their needs as regards. and proportion of these classes of foods. Occupational activity is one factor. The need of strengthening certain faculties and organs and body parts is another consideration. So it takes study of foods and study of your needs, in order to select your food properly."
~ Paramahansa Yogananda

Great quote from the unsurpassable practical wisdom of Yogananda. It might have been written by one of today's nutrition experts. The most enlightened ones.

Vitamins and minerals are called today micronutrients, whereas carbs, proteins and fats are called macronutrients. Much of the study of present day nutrition is about optimization of macronutrients ratios. There are also different shcools of thought, the low-carbers hi-proteins (atkins), the low-carbers, modearte proteins, hi fat (the most recent, Rosedale, Fung, Attia), the high carbs-low fat (Ornish, Esseltsyn). Which one is right is not easy to decide, since literature sources do not agree at all (aside from Atkins which is too high in proteins to be heatlhy). Also, unfortunately, economic powers do influence researchers by funding them and having them publish what the food companies wish.

The fact that individual needs differ is another fundamental issue which not everyone understands completely. Fanatism abounds, so many people are convinced that the diet they follow must necessarily be good for everyone else.

The truth is that, within the basic health rules of nutrition (do not eat too much, do not eat junk food, balance nutrients, do not eat much meat or animal foods) , we should really understand our needs in the context of our occupation and targets.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

"All the proper food materials can be classified under the following : minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, fats.
Individuals differ in their needs as regards. and proportion of these classes of foods. Occupational activity is one factor. The need of strengthening certain faculties and organs and body parts is another consideration. So it takes study of foods and study of your needs, in order to select your food properly."
~ Paramahansa Yogananda

Great quote from the unsurpassable practical wisdom of Yogananda. It might have been written by one of today's nutrition experts. The most enlightened ones.

Vitamins and minerals are called today micronutrients, whereas carbs, proteins and fats are called macronutrients. Much of the study of present day nutrition is about optimization of macronutrients ratios. There are also different shcools of thought, the low-carbers hi-proteins (atkins), the low-carbers, modearte proteins, hi fat (the most recent, Rosedale, Fung, Attia), the high carbs-low fat (Ornish, Esseltsyn). Which one is right is not easy to decide, since literature sources do not agree at all (aside from Atkins which is too high in proteins to be heatlhy). Also, unfortunately, economic powers do influence researchers by funding them and having them publish what the food companies wish.

The fact that individual needs differ is another fundamental issue which not everyone understands completely. Fanatism abounds, so many people are convinced that the diet they follow must necessarily be good for everyone else.

The truth is that, within the basic health rules of nutrition (do not eat too much, do not eat junk food, balance nutrients, do not eat much meat or animal foods) , we should really understand our needs in the context of our occupation and targets.

Good info here mccoy u seem to be more informed and take quite an interest in health and nutrition. I wondered about the Atkins products. They are abundant on the shelves in cloneland. Having a pazaaz for reading labels i was surprised to find out for their high price they really do not have so many nutrients in them. It is amazing to me how some people convince themselves they need meat for protein. However at this point in my life i let others believe as they wish i have to take care of my bod.

[mccoy]

Steve, the Atkins products stem from the Atkins diet, which is a low carbs-high protein diet.
So they are invariably low-carb, sometimes they are like cereals with declared lower glycaemic index.

It's one of the various businesses related to a specific diet. I wouldn't buy them. Most low carbers prefer to buy and cook natural food.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Mccoy I know you are interested in the practice of gazing into the third eye and longevity. I found this quote in the srf  lessons;

If one constantly keeps his mind concentrated upon the point between the eyebrows (at the Christ conscious center) and sees there the spiritual eye and commands it to recharge the body with strength, it will do so. If this were practiced, we would cease to grow old.

[ding dong]

Forgive me if this seems disrespectful to Yogananda, but one can't help noticing that he died quite a young man and no SRFers that I am aware of have lifespans which deviated significantly from average. One wonders why he would teach such a thing when he either didn't practice it himself or he did practice it and it didn't work exactly as expected. Or maybe I am misconstruing his words to mean "never dying" when instead he is talking about some other aspect of the physical aging process. His exact words quoted here are cease to grow old. In any case, it is quite a claim for which there doesn't seem to be an overwhelming amount of evidence.

Again, please, forgive me for casting doubt on your guru's advice. I just...I mean what's the point of a forum if we can't discuss honestly?

I'll admit I never got the spiritual eye stuff. All I ever got from it was a headache. That doesn't mean it's not got some reality, of course.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Forgive me if this seems disrespectful to Yogananda, but one can't help noticing that he died quite a young man and no SRFers that I am aware of have lifespans which deviated significantly from average. One wonders why he would teach such a thing when he either didn't practice it himself or he did practice it and it didn't work exactly as expected. Or maybe I am misconstruing his words to mean "never dying" when instead he is talking about some other aspect of the physical aging process. His exact words quoted here are cease to grow old. In any case, it is quite a claim for which there doesn't seem to be an overwhelming amount of evidence.

Again, please, forgive me for casting doubt on your guru's advice. I just...I mean what's the point of a forum if we can't discuss honestly?

I'll admit I never got the spiritual eye stuff. All I ever got from it was a headache. That doesn't mean it's not got some reality, of course.

What makes you think that there is anything wrong with dying young? Some of us need to be other places. This is not the only place. Thank God for that! I left Michigan to live in Southern California when I was 23 years old. People wondered why did he leave? These kind of questions have there basis in those who do not like being uprooted. Others see moving on as an opportunity...when it is needed.

I had a good reason. If I leave here soon God will have a better place for my spiritual growth. I am sure that when Paramahansa Yoganandas work was done here he was needed somewhere else. By the way Babaji has never died! So who should we use as an example? Sri Yukteswar is also my guru...he died at 80.

[mccoy]

Forgive me if this seems disrespectful to Yogananda, but one can't help noticing that he died quite a young man and no SRFers that I am aware of have lifespans which deviated significantly from average. One wonders why he would teach such a thing when he either didn't practice it himself or he did practice it and it didn't work exactly as expected. Or maybe I am misconstruing his words to mean "never dying" when instead he is talking about some other aspect of the physical aging process. His exact words quoted here are cease to grow old. In any case, it is quite a claim for which there doesn't seem to be an overwhelming amount of evidence.
Again, please, forgive me for casting doubt on your guru's advice. I just...I mean what's the point of a forum if we can't discuss honestly?
I'll admit I never got the spiritual eye stuff. All I ever got from it was a headache. That doesn't mean it's not got some reality, of course.

dingdong, your objection is sensible.
In the case of masters, though, their lifespan is not something we can judge upon. When they are finished with their earthly mission, as Steve wrote, they are recalled elsewhere and must die of some cause, unless like Elijah they are spectacularly drawn to the elestial heights in a chariot of fire. That latter happens so rarely.

If you are speaking of disciples, then that is different. But, do we have a large enough sample, with a control from general population, by which we can draw our conclusions? Besides, we cannot take from granted that all SRF disciples follow a longevity-prone diet and lifestyle. Some of them may even be tired of this life and desire another opportunity elsewhere, like Steve was implying.

The longevity issue is probabilistic. Such strategies tend to decrease the cause of death, but there is karma ambushing beyond the corner. Rajasi Janakananda followed an extremely healthful diet and lifestyle but he died of brain cancer at 61. Was his lifestyle useless? No, since it might have saved him from a more premature death. Was his lifestyle good to enjoy health before his illness? Yes.

Present day scientifical studies on longevity are based upon many methods, including the study of yeasts, mice and rodents, monkeys and groups of humans. They also studied the diets in particular areas where centenarians abound (The Okinawans, the adventists in Palo Alto, the Sardinians in Italy, and more).

They are dissecting the issue, nutrition wise, exercise wise, treatment wise, attitude wise and behaviour wise.

The evidences are published and subject to criticism.

The Yogic methods of stopping cell degeneration and achieving limitless longevity are actually out of our reach. Very, very few are able to practice them effectively and successfully. If we are able to stop our heartbeat then we can spend time in a state of suspended state with no degeneration. That would lenghten one's lifespan.

Usually, practitioners of yoga are helath conscious, vegetarians or vegans, with a purpose in life and a tendency to mitigate stressful conditions, possibly they think twice before making something stupid like drinking booze before driving or texting while driving.
These are factors which will tend to increase longevity in probabilistic terms.

[mccoy]

Mccoy I know you are interested in the practice of gazing into the third eye and longevity. I found this quote in the srf  lessons;

If one constantly keeps his mind concentrated upon the point between the eyebrows (at the Christ conscious center) and sees there the spiritual eye and commands it to recharge the body with strength, it will do so. If this were practiced, we would cease to grow old.

Steve, unfortunately it's better said than done. Like reaching samadhi.

[ding dong]

This morning I had come back to make my comment a little less "skittish" but Steve you were quick on the draw. I realized that I was apologizing for critical thinking, and that rubbed me very much the wrong way. What is that about?

Gotta run for now...

[Jitendra Hydonus]

This morning I had come back to make my comment a little less "skittish" but Steve you were quick on the draw. I realized that I was apologizing for critical thinking, and that rubbed me very much the wrong way. What is that about?

Gotta run for now...

My 'critcal thinking' may be more critical then yours. 😀
I believe that's what it amounts to. You and I are like looking in a mirror both of us make statements that can be taken more then one way; therein lies the truth and the risk. Life is not so simple as people make it out to be. But often people seek out simple explanations for complex challenges. I am o.k. with the fact that I will not always understand one such as yourself. Our very differences make life interesting and gives us something to learn from!

J.