Liam Roche’s health blog

I’ve been interested in biogerontology as a non-specialist for a long time, and have never held any view other than the one that aging should be treated no differently to other diseases that diminish human potential, and threaten life. I have never understood the viewpoint that it is wrong to attempt to counter aging -the idea that it is God’s will that we become senile and physically decrepit and then die.

 Aubrey de Grey is a highly controversial figure who has an element of the Leonardo da Vinci about him. Almost singlehandedly he has introduced the radical concept that we now know all of the processes that cause decline in aging, are in a position to attack each of them as a significant medical goal, and by an organised and focused effort will find cures for all of them within the lifetime of some people alive today.

The detail of the science is, to say the least, open to argument. Generally biologists and biogerontologists are skeptical, indicating that if they haven’t solved the “7 deadly processes” during decades of not really trying, how could future researchers do so, even if they did try.

 What is perhaps even more interesting in this discussion is a detached philosophical consideration of the argument about whether such a radical plan would be moral. de Grey gives a cogent and highly convincing viewpoint in a short presentation at the 2005 TED conference, which may be viewed online at http://www.ted.com/tedtalks/tedtalksplayer.cfm?key=a_degrey

While the evidence for the health benefits of a wide range of supplements and certain drugs is in some cases marginal, for many years it has been known that the most important decision you can make for health is to have a diet which results in a lean physique. It is also known that this objective is physically achievable for every single person in the world, despite what many people believe.

The only thing that stops the majority of people who would like to be slim from becoming so is not a physical one, it is a psychological one. We are all creatures who respond to our subconscious wishes as well as our conscious goals, and generally the subconscious wins any arguments. Unfortunately, the subconscious does not always seem to realise the benefits to health and potential of being lean. Perhaps we can blame the supermarket which has made unnecessary the need to hunt and prepare food in a physically demanding way! 

There is a solution to this quandry. A small number of carefully designed diets are liked by almost all those who try them, yet achieve the aim of fat loss and improved health.  As a result those who use these diets achieve their aims and all of the associated benefits. Two leading examples are reviewed here.

It has become increasingly clear over recent years that simple lifestyle decisions can have a dramatic effect on an individual, both physically and mentally. It is a tragedy that so many people accept a lifestyle which damages their health, limits their potential, and makes them depressed at the same time. Everyone has the potential to dramatically increase what is possible for them by making the best lifestyle choices based on the most accurate information.

I know from personal experience based on making informed choices after extensive research, that it is possible to get twice as much out of every day and to be permanently positive and full of energy, while being measurably much fitter and healthier. All this is a consequence of lifestyle choices which actually make life more pleasant in themselves!

In future articles I will cover each of the key lifestyle choices that I have studied over many years. Each example has strong evidence supporting its benefits, is practical to put into practice for almost anyone, and is without significant disadvantages. I will justify every choice with verifiable facts from highly respected sources.

My goal is to inform you of what really matters, so that you can make the right decisions to get the most out of your life. I will feel I have succeeded in my goal if you get more out of your life as a result of what you discover here.