The Fountain of Youth Realizing that we can extend our lifespan and enhance our "old age" is very exciting and makes me think of Ponce de Leon, in the history books, searching for the fountain of youth. I'll bet Mr. De Leon stayed young longer by keeping up the search, than by staying home at a desk job! The operative word here is not job, but search (and vitality.) Today, however, the search does go on with a determination seldom seen throughout the ages. We only hear snippets of what we can do for ourselves. It's a hotly debated subject, keeping that evil old-age at bay. Some scientists say that old age is really a disease, a degeneration of our organs over a period of time, and that doesn't have to happen....meaning that we can live considerably longer if we take care of our bodies and put back what is being depleted. That makes sense to me. Alzheimer's disease, which is so devastating for both the victim and the care-giver, is one of those modern diseases that comes about from the degeneration of the brain, partially due to lack of nutrients to the brain, if you will, when the heart doesn't pump the blood strongly enough causing the liver not to cleanse the blood properly. If aging is a natural occurrence, then so is Alzheimer's along with the list of age-onset problems such as Senile Dementia, heart problems, and high blood pressure. However, it's definitely not politically correct to say that we have any say over these ailments because that would mean that we actually have control over our bodies and how they age. It's like cancer, also considered an age-onset disease (even though there's no explanation as to why some children and young adults get it.) There are explanations for which nobody wants to take responsibility. Anyway, back to the fountain of youth. The internet is brimming with controversial websites, and we are cautioned to read and consume with a discerning eye. We've always been told not to believe everything we read, but sometimes we must believe what others think is false. The placebo effect does have some merit because our minds are very powerful.. There are several research companies and rejuvenation product companies that are doing a roaring business in turning back the clock. The interesting thing is that they are all scientists, and their research backs up the products they sell. It's not like the snake oils salesmen of yore who would show up in town, hawk their products to unsuspecting citizens, and then disappear into the night, the folks none the wiser that they were not really getting a viable remedy. I guess I'd call myself a guinea pig in this area, and will continue to be one for many years to come. When a new product comes on the market such as GH3, the hundreds-of- years-old rejuvenation product from Eastern Europe, I'm right there in the lineup to buy it. I've bought everything from Essiac to Andro to DHEA to Acetyl L-Carnitine, Piracetam, Selegilene, HGH, and then some! And I have never felt better (I'm in my early 50s,) since I continue to take most of the above. Some people would shudder to see the number of capsules I take every day. Part of the rejuvenation effect is lifestyle. Stress plays a great part in the equation along with adequate sleep. Sometimes stress cannot be managed quickly, but over time, it must be controlled, or disease will follow. It's been found recently that most North Americans are sleep deprived because we take too much on our shoulders. Jobs are not just 9 to 5 anymore. And it's the sleep time that suffers. Surprisingly, eight hours of sleep is required for optimum health, even by those who swear they are not tired after 4 or 5 hours a night. And it has also been scientifically determined that we can catch up on sleep. In fact, we must, or we will face a degeneration of the body over time. One lamentable fact remains. The fountain of youth flows with very expensive water! Unfortunately, these age-defying brain nutrients do not come cheap. The research being done ups the price and the synergistic combinations are finely tuned in the labs, allowing us to take less for a better effect. There are somewonderful books on the market, explaining with graphs and charts why important nutrients that the body produces up to a certain age - usually 30 to 35 - begin to drop off. Why shouldn't we enhance these life giving "juices" like melatonin, serotonin, testosterone and progeseterone when our own aren't being produced? Read Dr. Michael Colgan's "Hormonal Health" written for both men and women. Seems very simple. We go to the doctor, find out how much our testosterone or melatonin levels have dropped (testosterone is produced in the female body as well) and get a printout of what we need to maintain 30 year age level. But that would be too easy. Dr. Colgan's book goes so far as to give the horomone levels of the young adult so that a person can take the information to the doctor. It turns out that testosterone levels are often too low because the current tests do not give accurate readings. All the more reason for us to take control of our own bodies and do some research on our own. Some doctors are happy to see patients arrive with computer printouts or books in their hands. Part of the problem for ordinary people is that many of the crucial brain nutrients are available only by prescription in the U.S. and Canada. Essentially, the FDA does not believe that we are responsible enough to take these drugs without a doctor telling us whether they think we need it or not. In Mexico, Europe and Asia, Piracetam is an over-the-counter purchase along with many other age-reversing substances. I find that very frustrating, but the internet has changed all that. I haven't tried purchasing anything that way, but with the stories of bogus prescriptions, etc., the FDA will soon close any loopholes there may be at the moment (see http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2000/march00-awsi.html.) Many of the Brain Nutrient books have a list of medical practitioners in the back for easy access, but these books were mostly written before the blossoming of the world wide web. I intend to live a long and healthy life with lots of quality and optimism. I will continue to try everything new as it comes along and be thankful for innovative scientists who think that life is meant to be lived, not just passed in the night. I will add to my daily regimen the things that seem to enhance that outlook. After all, who has more vested in my future than me? The doctor doesn't care if I get old before my time, but I sure do! Call me in 20 years to see how I'm doing. Back to the Writing Index