Science Index

The Science of Increasing your Quality of Life
by means of optimizing your Health

A study published in early 2008, conducted at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital tracked 2,357 male doctors whose average age was 72 when they joined the study in the early 1980s. A total of 970 - 41% - lived to 90 or older. Those who exercised two to four times per week, did not smoke, maintained normal body weight and blood pressure, and avoided diabetes had a 54% chance of living to 90. From the paper abstract: "CONCLUSION: Modifiable healthy behaviors during early elderly years, including smoking abstinence, weight management, blood pressure control, and regular exercise, are associated not only with enhanced life span in men but also with good health and function during older age." (free full text available) The study is also described in "Fit elderly 'can boost longevity'".

The incidence of numerous cancers in the adult population of both genders rises with an increase in body mass index (BMI). 1.2 million women aged 50-64 in the UK were recruited into the Million Women Study, during 1996-2001, and followed up, on average, for 5.4 years for cancer incidence and 7.0 years for cancer mortality. "Increasing body mass index is associated with a significant increase in the risk of cancer for 10 out of 17 specific types examined." [http://pmid.us/17986716] A separate systematic review and meta-analysis of 282,137 incident cases in the UK from 1966 to November 2007 found increased BMI is associated with increased risk of common and less common malignancies. [http://pmid.us/18280327] This last study printed in Lancet February 2008 is also the subject of a Science Daily online article. (Quotes are included in this article of an accompanying comment in the same issue of Lancet by a group from Stockholm Sweden which recommends in addition to increased education on diet and physical exercise, "restrict advertisements of high-calorie and low-nutrient foods, limit access to unhealthy foods in schools and workplaces, levy taxes on sugary drinks and other foods high in calories, fat, or sugar, lower the prices of health foods, and promote physical activity in schools and workplaces". No mention of individual responsibility, just government regulation.)

When both spouses suppress their anger at the other when unfairly attacked, earlier death was twice as likely than when both communicated their anger or even when only when did so. Voicing one's anger in a marital relationship and working towards a resolution of that conflict has been shown in a new paper related to a study that examined prospectively (1971-1988) the relationship between anger-coping responses, gender, and mortality (N = 91) in a representative sample of men (N = 324) and women (N = 372), aged 30 to 69 in an area of Michigan. An article about this paper (yet to be published in the Journal of Family Communication) can be seen at Science Daily.
An earlier paper by the same group in 2003 found: "Men's suppressed anger interacted significantly with SBP [systolic blood pressure] and also with bronchial problems to predict both all-cause and CV [cardiovascular] mortality. Women showed direct relationships between suppressed anger and early mortality (all-cause, CV, and cancer). Women also showed an interaction of spouse-suppressed anger and SBP for all-cause and CV mortality. Data suggest men who expressed their anger died earlier of cancer (N = 16) deaths." (http://pmid.us/12883109 with full free text available)

The author of a November 2007 paper found from several population studies of adults 65 and older that improvement changes made, even with previous suboptimal nutritional and lifestyle practices, can preserve and improve an individual's health. Major reductions in caloric intake and increase in energy expenditure are necessary for the older individual to avoid excess weight gain, to maintain or regain the higher metabolism of earlier years. Slowing of bone loss and non-vertebral fracture incidence decreased among those who supplemented with calcium and vitamin D for 3 years. Improvement in disease risk factors were also found. ^R An article on the above study was done at Science Daily.

Reviewers of previous studies have found that the foundation of treatment for impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, and the metabolic syndrome is lifestyle modification, including both dietary change and routine exercise. "In addition, several clinical trials have found that lifestyle modification is the most efficacious strategy to prevent progression to T2DM [Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus]". ^R

In recent years technological and conceptual advances in the study of genes have greatly increased the understanding of the molecular events of human aging. Certain transcription factors (in increased or decreased amounts depending on the type) result in, among many consequences, the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are pivotal in the development of numerous conditions which shorten human lifespan, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. The author concludes in this July 2005 review: "Lifespan is tractable and basic mechanisms are now known. Longevity research complements and overlaps research in most major medical disciplines. Current progress bodes well for an ever-increasing length of healthy life for those who adapt emerging knowledge personally (so-called 'longevitarians')."^R

Waist-to-hip ratio has been shown in a study published November 2005 published in Lancet to be much more closely associated with myocardial infarction than body mass index (BMI). The authors used a standardized case-control study of acute myocardial infarction (MI) with 27,098 participants in 52 countries (12,461 cases and 14,637 controls) representing several major ethnic groups. They concluded that redefining obesity using waist/hip ratio allows for better prediction for an acute MI attributable to obesity than does a BMI level.^R

Obesity in middle age increases the risk of dementia according to an April 2005 British Medical Journal report of a 27 year longitudinal study of 10,276 men and women at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Medical Group. Those with a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or greater had a 74% increased risk of dementia, while overweight people (body mass index 25.0-29.9) had a 35% greater risk of dementia compared with those of normal weight (body mass index 18.6-24.9).^R

A December 2004 study of 116,564 women found that even modest weight gain during adulthood, independent of physical activity, was associated with a higher risk of death.^R

Cardiovascular risk may be lowered due to a mechanism by which exercise influences the reduction of fasting and postprandial triglyceride concentrations. In the December 2004 report, both of these measurements were reduced by 25% in groups of lean and centrally obese groups of men when 90 minutes of treadmill exercise was performed before a high-fat meal containing 80 g fat and 70 g carbohydrate. ^R

Correlation of cardiovascular fitness to brain tissue density was found upon high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans from 55 older adults, even when statistically controlled for other moderator variables.^R

A longevity study ^R, started in the mid 1970s and concluded in 1998 on over 4300 men and women, that being fit, as assessed using a treadmill test, does not reverse the increased risk associated with excess amounts of body fat. While the adjusted hazard ratios reported in the study are remarkably similar for both unfit-notfat men and women, fit-fat men have a higher risk than their female counterparts; interestingly, the opposite is true when looking at unfit-fat groups.

A study ^R of approximately 2000 Chinese subjects (mean age 80 years), followed for 3 years, found that higher levels of physical activity, non-smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, and better self-perceived health were associated with decreased mortality and hospitalization.

A 2000 review ^R laid out the case for prevention of chronic disease through overall physical fitness. While the authors fail to lay the responsibility solely on the individual, pleading instead for much government involvement, the background and statistics of the growing incidence of chronic health disorders in the relatively young is well presented.

Scientific Evidence for Using Food
to Increase your Quality of Life

There are also peer-reviewed references within the Section Summary. Updated 3/20/10

An important paper on dietary AGEs (Advanced Glycation Endproducts) and food was published in October 2009 in the Journal of American Dietetic Association. "AGEs in the diet represent pathogenic compounds that have been linked to the induction and progression of many chronic diseases. This report reinforces previous observations that high temperature and low moisture consistently and strongly drive AGE formation in foods, whereas comparatively brief heating time, low temperatures, high moisture, and/or pre-exposure to an acidified environment are effective strategies to limit new AGE formation in food. The potentially negative effects of traditional forms of cooking and food processing have typically remained outside the realm of health considerations. However, accumulation of AGEs due to the systematic heating and processing of foods offers a new explanation for the adverse health effects associated with the Western diet, reaching beyond the question of overnutrition." Although the database of foods is not all inclusive and only 2 of the many types of AGEs have been measured, the report is far more than has been presented to date. Since this work was funded by the US National Institutes on Aging and Health (NIA and NIH) via taxpayer money, it is being made available on this website. Advanced Glycation End Products in Foods and a Practical Guide to Their Reduction in the Diet" New 6/5/2010

Polyphenols have received a great amount of attention in both scientific studies and poulare media as a result of evidence for the prevention of degenerative diseases. A good understanding of the several hundred edible plant source molecules that contain the polyphenol structure - phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes and lignans - and the actual resultant micronutrients can be obtained in a few well written free online review papers. "Polyphenols: food sources and bioavailability", "Bioavailability and bioefficacy of polyphenols in humans. I. Review of 97 bioavailability studies" and "Bioavailability and bioefficacy of polyphenols in humans. II. Review of 93 intervention studies". The last two were also presented at the 1st International Conference on Polyphenols and Health, held in Vichy, France, November 18-21, 2004.

Green tea has received much research attention in the past few years with epidemiological results suggesting a reduction in chronic disease risk with ingestion of tea catechins. A September 2007 published in vitro study "provide[s] evidence that tea consumption practices and formulation factors likely impact catechin digestive recovery and may result in diverse physiological profiles". While catechin stability in green tea alone is poor, the addition of citric juice (orange, grapefruit or lemon) resulted in the highest level of total catechins remaining post-digestion compared to the addition of citric acid (CA), BHT, EDTA, ascorbic acid (AA), or milk (bovine, soy, and rice).^R This paper also received coverage in the general Internet media, such as Science Daily.

The authors in a October 2007 review paper introduce the concept of food synergy, "a perspective that more information can be obtained by looking at foods than at single food components", to denote the action of the various naturally occurring food components on human biological systems. They argue that considering individual nutrients is inadequate, using the diet-heart disease dilemma as an example and propose food-focused research. This last is especially important they argue with the existence of evidence from interventions that points to the central position of food in the relationship between nutrition and health. ^R This paper also received coverage in the general Internet media, such as Science Daily.

A January 2007 review paper summarizes current knowledge regarding the neuroendocrine regulation of food intake by the gastrointestinal system. The subject of satiation (feeling full) is given considerable attention. While the authors are motivated "to exploit these natural appetite-regulatory systems pharmacologically to achieve at least some of the impressive effects of bariatric surgery with medications", the information can be beneficial for understanding of the central nervous system (CNS) and GI system interplay for bodily homeostasis. Such increased understanding can be helpful for those who want to take more or maintain control of their energy intake (food) for their physical and mental activities, thereby reducing (possibly eliminating) any predispositions to degenerative conditions that are commonly seen with obesity or just being overweight. ^R

A ranked antioxidant food table is the July 2006 output of researchers analyzing 1113 food samples obtained from the US Department of Agriculture National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program. At the top of the list based on typical serving size are blackberries, walnuts, strawberries, artichokes, cranberries, brewed coffee, raspberries, pecans, blueberries, ground cloves, grape juice, and unsweetened baking chocolate.^R

A 2005 Scientific Report published by The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), "Preserving Vision in Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration: Neuroprotective Effects of the Flavonoids", focuses on the work of 3 members of the faculty in partnership with a team from the Salk Institute. The goal of the research "is to determine the specific classes and the chemical structures of dietary flavonoids that are the most effective at preventing oxidative stress-induced cell death in retinal ganglion nerve cells and retinal pigment epithelial cells." The results to date are briefly described including tables and figures; a list is provided of those flavonoids found to date to be effective against the type of nerve injury thought to occur in the eye and the dietary sources of those flavonoids. Interestingly, TSRI includes aging under Disease in it list of Faculty Interests.

Researchers in the Department of Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have published a review, in the April 6 2005 issue of Nature Reviews: Molecular Cell Biology, summarizing recent findings that are beginning to clarify the mechanisms by which calorie restriction (CR) results in longevity and robust health in a multitude of organisms, which might open new avenues of therapy for diseases of human aging.^R

The authors of this January 2003 Scientific American article^R point out the many faults of the USDA's Food Pyramid by use of numerous studies both preceding and following its inception in 1992. Men and women eating in accordance with the significantly revised pyramid, which includes daily exercise and weight control, exhibited lower risk of major chronic disease, although there was no demonstrated lower risk of cancer. The call for scientific evidence as the basis of nutritional information, rather than political and economic interests, is commendable by these authors who have separately written many published peer-reviewed journal articles on various areas of nutrition and health.

A very informative Scientific American article^R (December 2002) on the development of the human diet and its role in the evolution of modern man with considerable implications on the typical eating habits of industrialized North America.

The Canine model of aging which parallels the key features of cognitive decline and neurodegeneration is the subject of two 2002 papers.^{R1 R2} The results indicate that a complex mixture of dietary antioxidants partially counteract the negative effects of aging seen in cognition.

The mechanisms present in the brain for neuroprotection and neurorestoration are discussed in a Sept-Oct 2002 paper.^R Bolstering of the neuroprotection mechanisms has been found with dietary and behavioral modification

Scientific Evidence for Using Exercise
to Increase your Quality of Life

In a study of 2205 men aged 50 in 1970-3 who were re-examined at ages 60, 70, 77, and 82 years, it was concluded that increased physical activity in middle age is eventually followed by a reduction in mortality to the same level as seen among men with constantly high physical activity. This reduction is comparable with that associated with smoking cessation. (BMJ 2009;338:b688 abstract. PMID: 19581403) Media article about study results. Updated 3/20/10

The positive effects on the amount and quality of sleep experienced by a group of elderly women who practiced physical activity as compared to their sedentary counterparts was found to be notable. The study "included 101 elderly women, 53 practicing physical activity (PAG) and 48 sedentary (SG), matched for age, weight and height. All kept a sleep log and were asked to rate their sleep quality on a visual analog scale (VAS) daily for 30 days....Mean total sleep time (TST) was 7h12min for PAG and 6h24min for SG (p<.01)....The mean perception of sleep quality was 8.3 for PAG and 5.8 for SG (p<.001)."^R

Papers in 2007 covering a series of studies by a group at the University of Exerter over the past few years have shown that self-monitoring of one's own level of exertion during sub-maximal exercise is closely correlated to actual monitored parameters of oxygen uptake for both men and women of low and high fitness levels.^{R1 R2} Science Daily covered these recent papers in a December 21 article. Scales of perceived exertion have been used since at least the early 1960s (an interesting description of their development and clinical application).

Several papers were cited by Paul in March 2006 in responding to a poster at MoreLife Yahoo asking, "Could you please elaborate on [your previous response, 'the considered result of all my research and reading tells me that you are overdoing your running and will likely run yourself into an early grave'] and does your view extend to weight lifting or any vigorous exercise in general[sic]?" Extensive explanation and citations with support for moderate, brisk, and frequent exercise, but nevertheless caution against longer and excessive sessions of exercise.

Irregardless of the amount of physical activity, a December 2004 study found that in 116,564 women the higher risk of death associated with obesity was not eliminated. The researchers estimated that excess weight (defined as a body-mass index of 25 or higher) and physical inactivity (less than 3.5 hours of exercise per week) together could account for 31 percent of all premature deaths, 59 percent of deaths from cardiovascular disease, and 21 percent of deaths from cancer among nonsmoking women.^R

Exercise reduced both fasting and postprandial triglyceride concentrations by 25% in both the lean and centrally obese groups according to a December 2004 released study result. This may be one mechanism by which exercise influences cardiovascular risk.^R

Microcirculatory function of older male athletes was found to approximate that of young sedentary subjects in a study of 39 young and old male athletes with 45 age-matched sedentary controls. Chronic exercise may improve endothelial function in older (and young) men, probably by increasing nitrous oxide availability according to this March 2004 paper.^R

Authors in a January 2004 study^R of 114 postmenopausal women found that regardless of hormone replacement therapy status, C-Reactive Protein (CRP) concentrations were approximately 65% lower in the physically active compared with sedentary women. Plasma CRP has been found in many studies to be an independent predictor of future cardiovascular events in healthy men and women.

The findings in this study of over 1200 subjects suggest a positive association between regular physical activity early in life and level of information processing speed at older age in men, but not in women.^R

In a group of 469 subjects older than 75 years living in the community and without initial dementia, participation in dancing was the one strongly physical leisure activity significantly associated with a reduced risk of dementia. Mental activities with similar benefits were found to be reading, playing board games and playing musical instruments. This June 2003 published study^R performed follow-ups over a mean period of 5.1 years.

The most important conclusion of this meta-analysis was that fitness training has a robust but selective benefits for cognition, with the largest fitness-induced benefits occurring for executive-control processes.^R

High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans from 55 older adults, even when statistically controlled for other moderator variables, suggested to researchers that there is a strong solid biological basis for the benefits of exercise on the brain health of older adults.^R

Authors of a Sept-Oct 2002 review paper^R found that, while limited research is available, higher levels of physical fitness may enhance executive functions of the type associated with frontal lobe and hippocampal regions of the brain.

In a Sept 2002 hypothesis paper ^R the authors speculate that some of the genes in the current human genome, much different from that of our ancient ancestors, still play a role in survival by causing premature death from chronic diseases produced by physical inactivity.

Two of the authors of the above paper wrote an earlier review in 2000 ^R laying out the case for prevention of chronic disease through overall physical fitness. While the authors fail to lay the responsibility solely on the individual, pleading instead for much government involvement, the background and statistics of the growing incidence of chronic health disorders in the relatively young is well presented.

In exploring strategies for detecting gene-exercise interactions, a February 2000 brief review paper ^R provided considerable background on the role of regular exercise in the control of many chronic health dysfunctional conditions.

A 1990 study ^R done on a group of 14 athletes, ages 59 to 63 during a 10 day inactivity period, provided evidence that regular exercise may protect against the development of insulin resistance and decrease in glucose tolerance (GT) that typically occurs with aging in individuals with normal GT. A small number of these men experienced a deterioration in their oral glucose tolerance tests during this period leading to the conclusion that exercise provides short-term normalizing effects in some individuals with abnormal GT.

Scientific Evidence for Using Supplementary Chemicals
to Increase your Quality of Life

A February 2006 published study demonstrates "that nutrients can act to promote healing via an interaction with stem cell populations." Dose related and synergistic effects of blueberry, green tea, catechin, carnosine, and vitamin D(3) are subjects of the report.^R

Herbal Extracts

Leading Edge Nutritional Supplements

Kremezin - An orally administered beaded activated carbon which, when taken with food, strongly adsorbs dietary Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs) and reduces serum levels of the uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate, which is formed in the intestines by the metabolism of tryptophan.

N-acetyl-L-Carnosine - An acetylated form of the naturally occurring peptide carnosine which has equivalent benefits (once it is deacetylated) but is resistant to cleaving by the carnosinase enzyme (until it is deacetylated) and therefore operates as a timed-release form of carnosine (because the deacetylation is not instantaneous).

Pyridoxamine - A naturally occurring B6 vitamer which is scarce in food and has strong glycation inhibiting properties.

R-Alpha lipoic acid - A lipid and water soluble antioxidant, the pure R(+) enantiomer of which is produced in minute quantities by the body.

Potentially Life Extending Prescription Drugs

Acarbose - A xenobiotic drug that inhibits the starch and sugar digesting enzyme alpha glucosidase in the intestinal tract.

Acipimox - A nicotinic acid analogue that suppresses lipolysis and the release of free fatty acids (FFAs) into the bloodstream, thereby increasing autophagic protein recycling in addition to lowering triglyceride and VLDL.

Promising Research Chemicals

ALT-711 - An advanced glycation endproduct (AGE) crosslink breaker, currently in clinical trials.

Aminoguanidine - A xenobiotic drug used in Europe for diabetic therapy which greatly inhibits the formation of Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs).

(-)-BPAP - A powerful catecholaminergic/serotoninergic activity enhancer over 100 times as effective as deprenyl (which it was invented to replace), with a broader spectrum of neurotransmitter enhancement effects and without the negative amphetamine and MOA inhibition side effects.

N-tert-butyl hydroxylamine - A chemical with great potential for mitochondrial health which has been the subject of much favorable research.

SuperOxide Dismutase/Catalase Mimetics - Those under development which appear to have the best overall benefit. Correction update 7/22/11

The Science of Optimizing your Outlook
to Increase your Quality of Life

Scientific American Interview, "The Power of Introverts: A Manifesto for Quiet Brilliance". Author Susan Cain, of "Quiet: The Power of Introverts", explains the fallacy of 'groupwork,' and points to research showing that it can reduce creativity and productivity. New 1/29/12

The authors of a 2004 review paper examined three aspects of lives of people aged 50 and more in Europe for the effects of these aspects on prevention and rehabilitation of illnesses. Besides the mental and physical components, there is a third, "life contentment in the form of a successful retrospective view and a positive outlook".^R

The Science of Optimizing your Interpersonal Relationships
to Increase your Quality of Life

The science of this section will be that portion of our philosophy, which under the division of philosophy defined by Aristotle, is called "politics". This will of course also involve what has come to be called "economics", or more generally after Ludwig von Mises, "praxeology" - the science of human action.

In more common terms, the philosophical position which we will be presenting here may be called "rational non-coercive propertarianism". Of course, all of these terms need clear definitions, sound axioms and clearly derived, sound conclusions, and in due course they will be supplied here.

Critiques of Foundational Documents and Influential Writings on Rights and Government

The cry is often heard that "we need to return to our roots". If this exhortation is meant as a recipe to save us from current faulty social practices, it is surely incorrect logically, since it is those very roots which have lead to our current predicament. However, such a "return" is a very worthwhile effort if one does so in order to examine the contents of those roots to determine exactly how they contributed to the problems of the present. Moreover, such a procedure is highly valuable and may even be necessary in order to formulate new ideas - and eventually actions - which will solve these problems and allow society to attain a far superior and more stable ordering of human interactions.

The documents below have been created to provide the in-depth examination of political roots which is necessary to understand that what many think of as the promise of the American Revolution (or similar hopes with respect to such documents for other countries) never really existed - and why this is so. To see these points unfold, it is particularly important to read the documents below in the order in which they are listed. This is because the documents and the explanatory critiques containing new ideas were written in that order. Thus, by jumping ahead you will not have the background thoughts expressed in previous documents with which to fully understand and digest the new more advanced ideas within the current document that you are reading. Instead, if you read the documents in the order given below, you will be much more ready to understand the points being made and the full reasoning for them as you get to each point.

• The Declaration of Independence (USA )
• The Articles of Confederation (USA)
• Constitution Preamble and The Bill of Rights (USA)

Reading the critique of Thoreau is not essential to the understanding of the foundational ideas of the critiques above, and further may not be fully understood by those without some familiarity with Thoreau's and others' liberty-oriented writings. However, it has been included here since it does provide adjunctive illustration of the limitations of and flaws within past political thought even by one of the best of writers and thinkers. Therefore, it once again clearly shows that the past does not contain clear, certain and adequate truths that people of the present need only learn and practice for all social problems to evaporate.

• Beyond Thoreau Critique of some notable excerpts

Documents created as the first steps of the Self-Sovereign Individual Project - A program to achieve freedom from government coercion for those who understand and want it, and are responsible enough to live it.

Essays which provide the philosophical basis underlying the ideas presented in the Critiques of Revered Documents and the annotations of the "Achievement Solution" Documents of the Self-Sovereign Project. In particular is the foundational essay, "Social Meta-Needs: A New Basis for Optimal Interaction"

Discussion on the statement by Paul Wakfer that "the principles of Social Meta-Needs ... emanate directly from reality" at .

The Science of Reaching your Current Life Expectancy

Correlations in white blood cell telomere length changes were found with body mass and insulin resistance among the young adults of the Bogalusa Heart Study. Researchers consider this the first tangible evidence of a connection between telomere length and body fat in humans.^R (Some background information on the Bogalusa Heart Study)

A longevity study, started in the mid 1970s and concluded in 1998 on over 4300 men and women, that being fit, as assessed using a treadmill test, does not reverse the increased risk associated with excess amounts of body fat. While the adjusted hazard ratios reported in the study are remarkably similar for both unfit-notfat men and women, fit-fat men have a higher risk than their female counterparts; interestingly, the opposite is true when looking at unfit-fat groups.^R

Scientific Evidence for Using Supplements to Optimize LifeSpan
to Reach your Current Life Expectancy

Herbal Extracts

Leading Edge Supplements

Kremezin - A special kind of beaded activated carbon that when taken with food has been shown to have the ability to adsorb dietary advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) and prevent them from entering the body. It also adsorbs the indoxyl sulfate which is generated in the intestines and is particularly toxic to the kidneys.

N-acetyl-L-Carnosine - An acetylated form of the naturally occurring peptide carnosine which has equivalent benefits (once it is deacetylated) but is resistant to cleaving by the carnosinase enzyme (until it is deacetylated) and therefore operates as a timed-release form of carnosine (because the deacetylation is not instantaneous).

Pyridoxamine - A naturally occurring B6 vitamer which is scarce in food and has strong glycation inhibiting properties.

R-Alpha lipoic acid - A lipid and water soluble antioxidant, the pure R(+) enantiomer of which is produced in minute quantities by the body.

Potentially Life Extending Prescription Drugs

Acarbose - A xenobiotic drug that inhibits the starch and sugar digesting enzyme alpha glucosidase in the intestinal tract.

Acipimox - A nicotinic acid analogue that suppresses lipolysis and the release of free fatty acids (FFAs) into the bloodstream, thereby increasing autophagic protein recycling in addition to lowering triglyceride and VLDL.

Promising Research Chemicals

ALT-711 - An advanced glycation endproduct (AGE) crosslink breaker, currently in clinical trials.

Aminoguanidine - A xenobiotic drug used in Europe for diabetic therapy which greatly inhibits the formation of Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs).

(-)-BPAP - A powerful catecholaminergic/serotoninergic activity enhancer over 100 times as effective as deprenyl (which it was invented to replace), with a broader spectrum of neurotransmitter enhancement effects and without the negative amphetamine and MOA inhibition side effects.

N-tert-butyl hydroxylamine - A chemical with great potential for mitochondrial health which has been the subject of much favorable research.

SuperOxide Dismutase/Catalase Mimetics - Those under development which appear to have the best overall benefit. Correction update 7/22/11

Scientific Means to Increase Maximum Human Lifespan

Researchers in the Department of Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have published a review, in the April 6 2005 issue of Nature Reviews: Molecular Cell Biology, summarizing recent findings that are beginning to clarify the mechanisms by which calorie restriction (CR) results in longevity and robust health in a multitude of organisms, which might open new avenues of therapy for diseases of human aging.^R

The Science behind Preserving Life through Suspended Animation.

Life and Death Stages Defined - "not alive" does not necessarily mean "dead".

An April 2006 paper in Cryobiology describes a series of experiments in cryopreservation of mature rat transverse hippocampal slices, several of which had been reported on previously. The problem of injury from vitrification and rewarming was overcome by using a solution containing polyvinylpyrrolidone and two extracellular "ice blockers." This process "attain[ed] a tissue K(+)/Na(+) [this ratio can only be actively maintained by cells that have fully functional membranes, pumping enzymes and mitochondrial ATP production] ratio after vitrification ranging from 91 to 108% of that obtained with untreated control slices...Our results provide the first demonstration that both the viability and the structure of mature organized, complex neural networks can be well preserved by vitrification."^R

A major part of the funding for this research which began in 1998 was provided by the Institute for Neural Cryobiology under the direction of Paul Wakfer. Paul also arranged for the participation of the researchers in this endeavor. The research described in this paper was but the initial work envisioned by Paul as part of the Prometheus Project to perfect fully reversible human brain cryopreservation which he had begun in 1997.

"This was an incredible accomplishment under the circumstances, and a fantastic example of the ability of rank-and-file cryonicists to fund and publish cutting edge research in a recognized scientific journal, and on top of that it was about cryopreserving a key part of the brain. This would have been absolutely impossible without Paul's extraordinary efforts, and all cryonicists should be thankful for Paul's achievement in paying for, arranging, and keeping on top of this project."

Gregory M. Fahy, Ph.D.

Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer
21st Century Medicine, Inc.