DOCSLIB.ORG

Delaying Aging and Extending Life – an Ancient Dream Revisited : Using Body Regimens As a Window to Reflect on Aging, Identity, and the Body

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Delaying Aging and Extending Life – an Ancient Dream Revisited : Using Body Regimens As a Window to Reflect on Aging, Identity, and the Body Delaying Aging and Extending Life – An Ancient Dream Revisited : Using Body Regimens as a Window to Reflect on Aging, Identity, and the Body Author: Diane M. Watts-Roy Persistent link: http://hdl.handle.net/2345/1370 This work is posted on eScholarship@BC, Boston College University Libraries. Boston College Electronic Thesis or Dissertation, 2008 Copyright is held by the author, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted. Boston College The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Department of Sociology DELAYING AGING AND EXTENDING LIFE – AN ANCIENT DREAM REVISITED: USING BODY REGIMENS AS A WINDOW TO REFLECT ON AGING, IDENTITY, AND THE BODY by DIANE MARIE WATTS-ROY Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy December 2008 © copyright by DIANE MARIE WATTS-ROY 2008 Delaying Aging and Extending Life – An Ancient Dream Revisited: Using Body Regimens as a Window to Reflect on Aging, Identity, and the Body Diane M. Watts-Roy Under the supervision of dissertation advisor Dr. John B. Williamson Abstract: The desire to defy the aging process and to prolong the lifespan has long captured the human imagination. Recognized as one of the most ancient known pieces of literature, the Epic of Gilgamesh documents a King’s quest to find immortality. More recent examples include the story of Ponce de Leon’s 16th century search to discover the Fountain of Youth, Sir Francis Bacon’s (1659) assertion that humans are naturally immortal “potens non mori,” and Benjamin Franklin’s desire to be preserved in a vat of madeira until science is capable of life extension. Developments in science and technology, including telomere manipulation, genetic engineering, cloning, nanotechnology, the potential to create new organs from stem cells, and the creation of therapeutic pharmaceuticals that could significantly postpone disease, have served to inspire; aging in the 21st century is no longer regarded by scientists as an inevitable process programmed by evolution (Olshansky et al. 2006). Situated within a detailed historical overview, this qualitative research project explores the experiences of individuals engaged in practices currently implicated in potentially delaying aging and even extending life. Based on information from 44 in-depth interviews, this research explores issues such as lay understandings of the biology of aging, conceptualizations of the inner body, the use of and experience with optimization technologies, and the embodied effects of participation in anti-aging and life-extension body regimens. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation could not have been completed without the extremely generous help that I received from a number of very special people. I am especially grateful for the guidance of my dissertation committee chair and mentor Dr. John B. Williamson, who offered steadfast encouragement and assistance throughout my doctoral education, exemplifying what it means to be an outstanding teacher, scholar, and mentor. He and the other faculty members on my committee, Dr. David A. Karp, Dr. Stephen J. Pfohl, and Dr. Robert H. Binstock, supported me through this dissertation process, offering many invaluable insights and suggestions, and always encouraging me to do my best work. I am indebted to each of them. I would also like to recognize Boston College for the institutional support that I received throughout my academic studies. Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude to my family and friends for all of the encouragement, understanding, and kindness I received during this educational journey. You are my inspiration. Thank you for being there every step of the way. i TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 Body Regimens Implicated in Delaying Aging and/or 1 Extending Life – A Brief Overview and Introduction Chapter 2 Body Regimen as “Career” 38 Chapter 3 Body Regimens and the Construction of Identity 82 Chapter 4 Responding to “Risk Society” with the “To Do” Imperative 136 Chapter 5 Shared Grievances about Allopathic Medicine: the Encounter, 188 the Outcome, and the “Political Economy of Illness” Chapter 6 Metaphors of Aging: Consumption and the Social and 223 Physical Body Chapter 7 The Body Inside Out 280 Chapter 8 Embodiment and Body Regimen Careers: Exploring “Control” 341 and “Release” Chapter 9 Conclusion: Body Regimen Careers Respond to the 403 Problematic of Living Appendix A: Overview of the “Healthy Life Extension Community” 472 Appendix B: Interview Guide 473 Bibliography 477 ii Chapter 1: Body Regimens Implicated in Delaying Aging and/or Extending Life – A Brief Overview and Introduction The dream of potentially extending life and/or delaying bodily aging has been documented throughout the ages, and has been the cause of tremendous fascination and terror, cynicism and hope, struggle and submittal. Recognized as one of the most ancient known pieces of literature, the Epic of Gilgamesh, includes a legend which details Sumerian King Gilgamesh’s efforts to locate a magical plant thought to restore youth. In his quest, Gilgamesh, eluded by a snake, is forced to confront the realization that aging and death are inevitable. While the moral overtones surrounding this legend may suggest that human efforts to manipulate the passage of time are futile, the dream is long lived and has been repeated, throughout the ages, in a wide variety of forms. The storyline of my own research is positioned amidst this ancient dream as I explore present day individual engagement in practices implicated in potentially delaying bodily aging and/or extending bodily life. In her research on cosmetic surgery, a practice which is oftentimes implicated in aesthetic age retardation efforts, sociologist Virginia Pitts (2007:233) calls for scholars to “think about the means of practices as much as what the practices mean” in an effort to avoid centering only on a moralistic dualism between “right” and “wrong.” In an attempt to answer this call, and to similarly position my own work, this research will focus on individual engagement with three different body regimens currently implicated in potentially delaying bodily aging and even extending 1 bodily life and this includes: caloric restriction optimal nutrition (CRON), anti-aging medicine, and rigorous nutrition and exercise regimens thought to affect bodily aging.1 In order to make sense of the innumerable human efforts to potentially delay aging and/or prolong life, philosopher Gerald Gruman (2003[1966]) wrote an insightful book which provides a framework to understand the pursuit of “prolongevity,2” from ancient times through the 18th century. Gruman’s research identifies three so-called “prolongevity legends” (antediluvian, hyperborean and fountain) to describe the history of human endeavors to potentially influence bodily aging and/or the human lifespan. Antediluvian legends are based on the idea that people of the ancient past were able to avoid death, living hundreds of years longer than typical life spans of the day (Gruman 2003 [1966]). While antediluvian legends existed in ancient Greece through descriptions of Hesiod’s “Age of Gold,” a time when mortals were said to be ageless, these legends gained special prominence during the medieval period through stories about the longevity of biblical patriarchs. According to the Book of Genesis, before the great flood, people lived significantly longer lives. Methuselah, for example, was purported to have lived until the age of 969, while Noah was said to have reached 950 years. Regimens associated with antediluvian legends are based around religious piety, obedience, and morality. 1 Recognition of the “means of practices” is important since it is increasingly clear that a diverse range of factors serve as motivation to people participating in such regimens. Similar, for example, to participation in activities associated with recycling, while some may partake due to a concern with environmental conservation, others may be more motivated by financial incentive or out of a community-instituted obligation. As my research will reveal, for example, people engaged in CRON do not always regard life extension as the overarching motivation, just as people using age management medicines may be motivated more by efforts to seek solutions for idiopathic ailments than by a desire to delay aging, per se. 2 This word was coined in 1966 by philosopher Gerald Gruman to describe the belief that by following specific regimens and methods, individuals could extend the lifespan and live until extreme old age. 2 Hyperborean legends are premised on the idea that there are places in the world, generally remote islands or mountain communities, where people live much longer and healthier lives than what is otherwise typical (Gruman 2003[1966]). Ancient Greeks spoke of the longevity of the Hyperborean people who were said to live exceptionally long lives and, according to Pliny, when satiated by life and ready to die, simply went to the sea. Herodotus wrote extensively about his travels, referring to Ethiopia as “the land of the long lived” with most inhabitants said to reach 120 years or older. Seres, (meaning “of silk”), the ancient Greek and Roman term for the northeastern part of China, is repeatedly referred to as a region of long lived peoples. Strabo, a Greek geographer writing during the early 1st century, stated that some inhabitants of Seres lived for more than 200 years, describing them as “temperate in their habits and healthy; although the country produces everything in abundance.”3 Regimens associated with hyperborean legends involve modeling the identified practices and even living among the idealized long-lived communities. Finally, fountain legends revolve around the idea that certain substances including water, food, and other miraculous healing remedies can enable people to retain youthfulness and live life indefinitely (Gruman 2003[1966]). The Indian legend of Cyavana, dating back almost 3,000 years ago, describes the ‘Pool of Youth.’ Becoming upset after realizing how much older he is than his wife, the Priest Cyavana searches for and finds the ‘Pool of Youth,’ and after bathing in it, he becomes youthful again (Parpola 2004/2005).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Lived Experience of Being a Hundred Years and Over
    The lived experience of being a hundred years and over By Ashwina Naiker-Ratan A thesis submitted to Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Health Research Victoria University of Wellington 2016 ABSTRACT The twentieth century has seen a decline in mortality after the age of eighty and an increase in survival rates of the oldest of the old. Centenarians (people over a hundred years of age) are the fastest growing group of this population in developed countries; however qualitative research on the oldest of the old is limited. The primary aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the essence of lived experiences and meanings of extended longevity as perceived by centenarians. It also aimed to explore the role of lifestyle characteristics, family, social, health and cultural factors in regards to their prolonged existence. The research was conducted with ten centenarians aged between 100 and 106 years living in the Lower North Island namely Wairarapa, Kapiti and Wellington of Aotearoa New Zealand. Biographical Narrative Interpretive Method of inquiry was used to guide the data collection through face-to-face interviews using unstructured open ended questions. Colazzi’s phenomenological framework was employed for data analysis. There were common patterns throughout the life stories related by the centenarians and resilience and acceptance of life was notable. The centenarians spoke nonchalantly about their experience of turning a hundred, describing their birthday as; “Just another day.” Positive personalities and resilient nature were prominent features of the participants who all expressed a sense of acceptance and satisfaction with life and contentment with living in the present.
    [Show full text]
  • Unproven Methods of Cancer Treatment: Orgone Energy Devices
    The following statement concerning the Orgone Energy Devices, proposed for the treatment of cancer by Wilhelm Reich, M.D., Founder, Wilhelm Reich Foundation, was i-ecently distrib uted to the 58 Divisions of the American Cancer Society for their information. Orgone Energy Devices After careful study of the literature and research laboratories and the Wilhelm Reich other information available to it, the Ameri Foundation, together with a branch research can Cancer Society has found no evidence that laboratory at Forest Hills, Long Island, New treatment with the Orgone Energy Devices York. At the Orgone Energy Observatory at results in any objective benefit in the treat Orgonon, Rangeley, Maine, Dr. Reich concen ment of cancer, or that diagnosis by means of trated on orgone biophysics and orgone ther the Reich Blood tests is a reliable method of apy, developing the devices already described. detecting cancer in human beings. He claimed that these devices greatly bene fited patients with various conditions and dis Orgone EnergyAccumulator eases, including cancer, and advanced the Reich blood tests for use in judging the treat The orgone energy accumulator was in ment and its results. vented by Wilhelm Reich, M.D. to treat cancer and other diseases by absorbing “¿bluebions― or “¿CosmicOrgone Energy,― also known as Tests “¿COE,―from the atmosphere through several The only information in the American Can layers of alternating organic and metallic cer Society's files on these tests was contained material around the patient. A “¿shooter―was in a letter dated April 25, 1949, from a corre used to concentrate “¿orgoneenergy― on spe spondent who wrote in support of Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Longevity Extension from a Socioeconomic Perspective: Plausibility, Misconceptions, and Potential Outcomes
    Sound Decisions: An Undergraduate Bioethics Journal Volume 2 Issue 1 Article 4 2016-12-15 Longevity Extension from a Socioeconomic Perspective: Plausibility, Misconceptions, and Potential Outcomes Eric Ralph University of Puget Sound Follow this and additional works at: https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/sounddecisions Part of the Bioethics and Medical Ethics Commons Recommended Citation Ralph, Eric (2016) "Longevity Extension from a Socioeconomic Perspective: Plausibility, Misconceptions, and Potential Outcomes," Sound Decisions: An Undergraduate Bioethics Journal: Vol. 2 : Iss. 1 , Article 4. Available at: https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/sounddecisions/vol2/iss1/4 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Publications at Sound Ideas. It has been accepted for inclusion in Sound Decisions: An Undergraduate Bioethics Journal by an authorized editor of Sound Ideas. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Ralph: Longevity Extension Longevity Extension from a Socioeconomic Perspective: Plausibility, Misconceptions, and Potential Outcomes Eric Ralph Introduction In the last several decades, a significant amount of progress has been made in pursuits to better understand the process of aging and subsequently gain some level of control over it. Current theories of aging are admittedly lacking, but this has not prevented biogerontologists from drastically increasing the longevity of yeast, drosophilae, worms, and mice (Vaiserman, Moskalev, & Pasyukova 2015; Tosato, Zamboni et al. 2007; Riera & Dillin 2015). Wide-ranging successes with gene therapy and increased comprehension of the genetic components of aging have also recently culminated in numerous successes in extending the longevity of animals and the first human trial of a gene therapy to extend life through telomerase manipulation is already underway, albeit on a small scale (Mendell et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Strategic Plan for Student Completion
    3-Year Graduation Rate for Students Who Completed “Critical” Milestones vs. Those Who Did Not STRATEGIC PLAN 100% 90% 85% FOR STUDENT COMPLETION 80% 74% 67% 67% 69% 70% 63% 62% 64% 2018-2022 60% 50% 40% 30% 21% 22% 22% 22% 19% 20% 17% 16% 16% 10% 0% AY06 AY07 AY08 AY09 AY10 AY11 AY12 AY13 ΗƌŝƚŝĐĂůΗDŝůĞƐƚŽŶĞƐ Completed ΗƌŝƚŝĐĂůΗDŝůĞƐƚŽŶĞƐNot Completed 76% Increase in Degrees and Certifi cates Earned from 2013 to 2018 Helping More Students get More Credentials More Quickly with Higher Quality and Lower Cost 285/16/2018 | More Students | More Credentials | More Quickly | Higher Quality & Lower Cost More Students | More Credentials | More Quickly | Higher Quality & Lower Cost | 1 Students Completing Nine Credit Hours in the First Year in their Declared Major 60% INTRODUCTION 50% 46% 42% 40% Sinclair has been working on student success While hundreds of faculty and staff have 33% since its inception 130 years ago. While the focus contributed to the creation of this focused plan, 31% 30% originally was on providing access to students the following are more directly responsible for who may not otherwise be able to earn a valuable creating this document: 20% 19% 20% 19% credential, the college sought to close the skills gap 20% between available talent and the needs of business • Carol Bonner 15% 16% 12% and indus- try. David Sinclair's motto of "Find • Mike Brigner Goal for 2022: 10% the Need and Endeavor to Meet it" still guides the • Dr. Kathleen Cleary 60% college's planning today. • Dr. Dave Collins We have learned that time is the enemy for our 0% • Laura Hinkebein AY06 AY07 AY08 AY09 AY10 AY11 AY12 AY13 AY14 AY15 AY16 students: if they take too long to graduate, life • Dawayne Kirkman will inevitably get in the way.
    [Show full text]
  • Worms Under Stress: Unravelling Genetic Complex Traits Through Perturbation
    Worms under stress: unravelling genetic complex traits through perturbation Miriam Rodriguez Sanchez Thesis committee Promotor Prof. Dr Jaap Bakker Professor of Nematology Wageningen University Co-promotor Dr Jan E. Kammenga Associate professor, Laboratory of Nematology Wageningen University Other members Prof. Dr Bas J. Zwaan, Wageningen University Prof. Dr Hendrik.C. Korswagen, Hubrecht Institute, Utrecht Prof. Dr Ellen Nollen, European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), Groningen Dr Gino B. Poulin, University of Manchester, United Kingdom This research was conducted under the auspices of the Graduate School of Production Ecology and Resource Conservation (PE&RC). Worms under stress: unravelling genetic complex traits through perturbation Miriam Rodriguez Sanchez Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of doctor at Wageningen University by the authority of the Rector Magnificus Prof. dr. M.J. Kropff, in the presence of the Thesis Committee appointed by the Academic Board to be defended in public on Friday 14 March 2014 at 11 a.m. in the Aula. Miriam Rodriguez Sanchez Worms under stress: unravelling genetic complex traits through perturbation 130 pages PhD thesis, Wageningen University, Wageningen, NL (2014) With references, with summaries in Dutch and English ISBN: 978-94-6173-851-6 A mi padre CONTENTS Contents Chapter 1 General Introduction ........................................................................... 3 Chapter 2 C. elegans stress response and its relevance to complex human disease and aging ................................................. 15 Chapter 3 Uncovering genotype specific variation of Wnt signaling in C. elegans .................................................................... 33 Chapter 4 Genetic variation for stress-response hormesis in C. elegans life span ......................................................................... 55 Chapter 5 Molecular confirmation of trans-regulatory eQTL in C.
    [Show full text]
  • Khwājā Khadir and the Fountain of Life, in the Tradition of Persian and Mughal Art
    Khwājā Khadir and the Fountain of Life, in the Tradition of Persian and Mughal Art By A. K. Coomaraswamy Studies in Comparative Religion, Vol. 4, No. 4. (Autumn, 1970) © World Wisdom, Inc. www.studiesincomparativereligion.com IN India, the Prophet, Saint, or Deity known as Khwājā Khizr (Khadir), Pīr Badar, or Rājā Kidār, is the object of a still surviving popular cult, common to Muslims and Hindus. His principal shrine is on the Indus near Bakhar, where he is worshipped by devotees of both persuasions; the cult is however hardly less widely diffused in Bihar and Bengal. In the Hindu cult, the Khwājā is worshipped with lights and by feeding Brahmans at a well, and alike in Hindu and Muslim practice, by setting afloat in a pond or river a little boat which bears a lighted lamp. Iconographically Khwājā Khizr is represented as an aged man, having the aspect of a fakir, clothed entirely in green,1 and moving in the waters with a "fish" as his vehicle. The nature of Khwājā Khizr can be inferred from his iconography as outlined above, and also from the Indian legends. In the ballad of Niwal Daī, which is localized at Safīdam2 in the Pañjāb, Niwal Daī is the daughter of Vāsuki, the chief of the Serpents. The Aryan Pāndava Rājā Pariksit has encountered Vāsuki, and forced him to promise his daughter to him in marriage, though from Vāsuki's point of view this is a disgraceful misalliance. Vāsuki is then stricken with leprosy, owing to a curse pronounced by the Priest Sījī3 whose cows have been bitten by the Serpents.
    [Show full text]
  • Vascular Tissue Challenge Official Rules Updated 2019-08-14
    Vascular Tissue Challenge Official Rules Updated 2019-08-14 SECTION 1: Executive Summary 2 SECTION 2: Definitions & Assumptions 3 SECTION 3: Evaluation Criteria 3 SECTION 4: Safety & Care 5 SECTION 5: Registration Requirements 5 SECTION 6: Judging 6 SECTION 7: Timeline 8 SECTION 8: Eligibility, Disqualification, & Appeal 9 SECTION 9: Awards 10 The Methuselah Foundation Vascular Tissue Challenge Rules Page 1 SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Objectives Summary The Vascular Tissue Challenge (hereafter “Challenge”) is a $500,000 prize purse to be divided among the first three teams who can successfully create thick, human vascularized organ tissue in an in-vitro environment while maintaining metabolic functionality similar to their in vivo native cells throughout a 30 calendar day survival period. NASA’s objective for this Challenge is to produce technologies capable of creating viable thick (>1cm) metabolic tissues that can be used to advance research on human physiology, fundamental space biology, and medicine taking place both on the Earth and the ISS National Laboratory. Specifically, technology innovations may enable the growth of de novo tissues and organs on orbit which may address the risks related to traumatic bodily injury, improve general crew health, and enhance crew performance on future, long-duration missions. Evaluation Criteria Summary Produce an in vitro vascularized tissue that is > 1 centimeter in thickness in all dimensions at the launch of the trial and maintains >85% survival of the required parenchymal cells throughout a 30 calendar day period. Tissues must provide adequate blood perfusion without uncontrolled leakage into the bulk tissue to maintain metabolic functionality similar to their in vivo native cells.
    [Show full text]
  • House of Representatives Ninety-Sixth Congress Second Session
    If you have issues viewing or accessing this file contact us at NCJRS.gov. 'I FRAUDS AGAINST THE ELDERLY: HEALTH QUACKERY = HEARING BEFORE THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON AGING HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-SIXTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION OCTOBER 1, 1980 Printed for the use of the Select Committee on Aging Comm. Pub. No. 96-251 \ u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1980 1 1 ----~-~- --- -------- 1 1 ~ '1 , i 1 1 1 1 CONTENTS 1 MEMBERS OPENING STATEMENTS 1 Page Chairman Claude Pepper .............................................................................................. 1 1 Charles E. Grassley ........................................................................................................ 2 Don Bonker ...................................................................................................................... 3 SELECT COMMITl'EE ON AGING David W. Evans ............................................................................................................... 3 1 PPER Florida, Chairman Mary Rose Oakar ............................................................................................................ 4 ?LA"?DE PE 'CHARLES E. GRASSLEY, Iowa, Geraldine A. Ferraro ...................................................................................................... 6 1 EDWARD R ROYBAL, Cahforma Ranking Minority kfember .' 6 ~~~i:~!g~~::~~~.:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 6 r::~O :ttn~~\¥~e~o;:kcarolina f6~A~SL ~i~~::sc~~~~~, Arkansas
    [Show full text]
  • Christopher Upton Phd Thesis
    ?@A374? 7; ?2<@@7?6 81@7; 2IQJRSOPIFQ 1$ APSON 1 @IFRJR ?TCMJSSFE GOQ SIF 3FHQFF OG =I3 BS SIF ANJUFQRJSX OG ?S$ 1NEQFVR '.-+ 5TLL MFSBEBSB GOQ SIJR JSFM JR BUBJLBCLF JN >FRFBQDI0?S1NEQFVR/5TLL@FWS BS/ ISSP/%%QFRFBQDI#QFPORJSOQX$RS#BNEQFVR$BD$TK% =LFBRF TRF SIJR JEFNSJGJFQ SO DJSF OQ LJNK SO SIJR JSFM/ ISSP/%%IEL$IBNELF$NFS%'&&()%(,)* @IJR JSFM JR PQOSFDSFE CX OQJHJNBL DOPXQJHIS STUDIES IN SCOTTISH LATIN by Christopher A. Upton Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of St. Andrews October 1984 ýýFCA ýý£ s'i ý`q. q DRE N.6 - Parentibus meis conjugique meae. Iý Christopher Allan Upton hereby certify that this thesis which is approximately 100,000 words in length has been written by men that it is the record of work carried out by me and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree. ý.. 'C) : %6 date .... .... signature of candidat 1404100 I was admitted as a research student under Ordinance No. 12 on I October 1977 and as a candidate for the degree of Ph. D. on I October 1978; the higher study for which this is a record was carried out in the University of St Andrews between 1977 and 1980. $'ý.... date . .. 0&0.9 0. signature of candidat I hereby certify that the candidate has fulfilled the conditions of the Resolution and Regulations appropriate to the degree of Ph. D. of the University of St Andrews and that he is qualified to submit this thesis in application for that degree.
    [Show full text]
  • T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. Thomas M. Campbell II
    "Everyone in the field of nutrition science stands on the shoulders of Dr. Campbell, who is one of the giants in the field. This is one of the most important books about nutrition ever written - reading it may save your life." - Dean Ornish, MD THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF NUTRITION EVER CONDUCTED --THE-- STARTLING IMPLICATIONS FOR DIET, WEIGHT Loss AND LONG-TERM HEALTH T. COLIN CAMPBELL, PHD AND THOMAS M. CAMPBELL II FOREWORD BY JOHN ROBBINS, AUTHOR, DIET FOR A NEW AMERICA PRAISE FOR THE CHINA STUDY "The China Study gives critical, life-saving nutritional information for ev­ ery health-seeker in America. But it is much more; Dr. Campbell's expose of the research and medical establishment makes this book a fascinating read and one that could change the future for all of us. Every health care provider and researcher in the world must read it." -JOEl FUHRMAN, M.D. Author of the Best-Selling Book, Eat To Live . ', "Backed by well-documented, peer-reviewed studies and overwhelming statistics the case for a vegetarian diet as a foundation for a healthy life­ t style has never been stronger." -BRADLY SAUL, OrganicAthlete.com "The China Study is the most important book on nutrition and health to come out in the last seventy-five years. Everyone should read it, and it should be the model for all nutrition programs taught at universities, The reading is engrossing if not astounding. The science is conclusive. Dr. Campbells integrity and commitment to truthful nutrition education shine through." -DAVID KLEIN, PublisherlEditor Living Nutrition MagaZine "The China Study describes a monumental survey of diet and death rates from cancer in more than 2,400 Chinese counties and the equally monu­ mental efforts to explore its Significance and implications for nutrition and health.
    [Show full text]
  • From Here to Immortality: Anti-Aging Medicine
    FromFrom HereHere toto Immortality:Immortaalitty: AAnti-AgingAnnntti-AAgging MMedicineedicine Anti-aging medicine is a $5 billion industry. Despite its critics, researchers are discovering that inter ventions designed to turn back time may prove to be more science than fiction. By Trudie Mitschang 14 BioSupply Trends Quarterly • October 2013 he symptoms are disturbing. Weight gain, muscle Shifting Attitudes Fuel a Booming Industry aches, fatigue and joint stiffness. Some experience The notion that aging requires treatment is based on a belief Thear ing loss and diminished eyesight. In time, both that becoming old is both undesirable and unattractive. In the memory and libido will lapse, while sagging skin and inconti - last several decades, aging has become synonymous with nence may also become problematic. It is a malady that begins dete rioration, while youth is increasingly revered and in one’s late 40 s, and currently 100 percent of baby boomers admired. Anti-aging medicine is a relatively new but thriving suffer from it. No one is immune and left untreated ; it always field driven by a baby- boomer generation fighting to preserve leads to death. A frightening new disease, virus or plague? No , its “forever young” façade. According to the market research it’s simply a fact of life , and it’s called aging. firm Global Industry Analysts, the boomer-fueled consumer The mythical fountain of youth has long been the subject of base will push the U.S. market for anti-aging products from folklore, and although it is both natural and inevitable, human about $80 billion now to more than $114 billion by 2015.
    [Show full text]
  • Longevity, Aging, and Caloric Restriction : Clive Maine Mccay and the Construction of a Multidisciplinary Research Program
    This document is downloaded from DR‑NTU (https://dr.ntu.edu.sg) Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Longevity, aging, and caloric restriction : Clive Maine McCay and the construction of a multidisciplinary research program Park, Hyung Wook 2010 Park, H. W. (2010). Longevity, Aging, and Caloric Restriction: Clive Maine McCay and the Construction of a Multidisciplinary Research Program. Historical Studies in the Natural Sciences, 40(1), 79‑124. https://hdl.handle.net/10356/96440 https://doi.org/10.1525/hsns.2010.40.1.79 © 2010 by the Regents of the University of California. This paper was published in Historical Studies in the Natural Sciences and is made available as an electronic reprint (preprint) with permission of the Regents of the University of California. The paper can be found at the following official DOI: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1525/hsns.2010.40.1.79]. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law. Downloaded on 02 Oct 2021 12:53:04 SGT HYUNG WOOK PARK* Longevity, Aging, and Caloric Restriction: Clive Maine McCay and the Construction of a Multidisciplinary Research Program ABSTRACT Since the 1930s scientists from fields such as biochemistry, pathology, immunology, genetics, neuroscience, and nutrition have studied the relation of dietary caloric intake to longevity and aging. This paper discusses how Clive Maine McCay, a professor of animal husbandry at Cornell University, began his investigation of the topic and pro- moted it as a productive research program in the multidisciplinary science of geron- tology.
    [Show full text]