Saul

Almost all ketogenic diets increase the ratio of protein to carbs. This increases IGF1, the opposite. -- Saul

Yes. For example, I do vigorous aerobic exercise 30 minutes 6 days a week; my CVD health is great. But I can't do a single pushup (rotator cuff sports injuries). -- Saul

Hi McCoy! I agree with Gordo. True, you need to do a CERTAIN AMOUNT of "pumping" to prevent sarcopenia -- but bulging muscles are a huge calorie burner; and the higher IGF1 numbers are likewise undesirable, likely increasing the rate of aging. That said: AEROBIC EXERCISE is a pure plus; and one should additionally do adequate strengthening exercises to prevent sarcopenia. Other useful things: meditation, yoga. Yoga is good for preserving -- and extending -- flexibility. -- Saul

Hi Genny! No; triglycerides are very different from glycerol; glycerol is an alcohol; triglycerides are a lipid, that shouldn't be in large amounts in your blood. You can "eat" (drink?) all the glycerol (or glycerine) that you want; it isn't digested. -- Saul

Dr. Ramsey's study is flawed in another way: the mice were not on calorie restricted diets. He does note the positive effects of CRON diets, on both healthspan and lifespan of mice (also, to his credit, he's a students of Dr. Weindruch, one of the early researchers on CR) -- but the sequence of studies that he carried out were NOT on calorie restricted mice. So they don't give much, if any, info for CRONnies or those doing IF diets. So it isn't surprising that he gets results inconsistent with those in Luigi's video. (Luigi deprocates ketogenic diets; Dr. Ramsey embraces them.) -- Saul

Hi Tom! Michael Rae has noted that cross species comparison is not a good idea -- comparisons should be made with members of the same species. So the list of examples that you give above might not give much, if any, useful information as to whether or not a faster metabolism might be associated with a shorter lifespan. My guess for the case of humans: faster metabolic rate might be associated with being "naturally thin" -- having a low BMI even when eating ad lib -- and that this might not necessarily be a good thing with respect to longevity. Whatever one's RMR, IMO either CRON or IF should be a huge boost for healthspan and possibly lifespan. -- Saul

http://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/study-suggests-how-high-blood-pressure-might-contribute-to-alzheimers-360432/

Dear colleagues, I've just enrolled in a program called "Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction". It's a two hour evening program, repeated weekly for six sessions. It's given at the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, where I work. The program is only open to employees and associates of the University of Rochester and their families; so very few people in these Forums are eligible. But you might find something similar where you work. The program here at UR is outstanding. It's a wonderful program that I've taken several times, and always come back to, whenever I can find it offered. Mindfulness is defined, roughly, as "being present in the moment". The concept takes it's roots in Asian philosophies, particularly Buddism. It's too difficult to really explain in a few words. When you regard the world and your existence mindfully, it helps to enjoy every moment, even the complicated ones. Meditating is a useful practice, that I sometimes engage in. Mindful living also usually improves sleep quality. I recommend it strongly. -- Saul

Hi Gordo! There is a lot of hype on this topic. The Nobel Laureate who discovered telomerase was one of the principle presenters at CRONA. She was involved in many studies to explore what benefits there may be in various healthy procedures and extended telomere length. Two of the many that didn't pan out were CR and meditation. There are many theories of what's really significant in aging: telomere length, mitochondrial theory of aging, ROS, etc. My take: All of these and more. IMO, telomere length is not one of the most important ones. In fact, it isn't even well-defined: in a given animal (or human), different tissues show different rates of thinning of the telomeres. -- Saul

No. My kidneys, lung, heart etc. are in perfect health. I see a lot of specialists to get the best info (including an endocrinologist and even a cardiologist and a young gerontologist [my primary]). Also, my nephrologist writes the prescriptions for my semi-annual bloodwork and urine work. -- Saul

Hi Gordo! It's more Greger nonsense. I was at CRONA, where telomere's of CR restricting subjects had their telomeres tested. As Michael Rae had predicted, our telomeres were not longer than controls. Also, I recall studies that showed that meditation does not lengthen telomeres. -- Saul

Todd, you're right. My take was that Gordo was showing us a collection of food from which his meal was taken -- not that he ate all of that. Also, I avoid sweet potatoes, as they're too starchy and high in calories. Rarely, I eat part of a small raw blue organic Japanese sweet potato. (I haven't done that for over a year.) -- Saul

Hi Surreptitious! Not so. It depends on the Endocrinologist. My Endocrinologist -- who is the Chief of Endocrinology at Strong Memorial Hospital -- is Cr friendly. He once told me, if he were younger, he would go on CR. He's a "more intelligent than average" Endocrinologist. I doubt that he would have a prejudice against women. (But unfortunately, I doubt that you live near Rochester, NY. (My nephrologist is CR friendly as well -- but not my primary, who is a (very young) gerontologist.) -- Saul P.S. I began CR in my fifties. You're at a great advantage, starting CR in your 30's.

Look good. 🙂 -- Saul

Hi Surreptitious! One good question is: "At what age should one optimally start CR?" Basically, CR slows the rate of aging; it also slows the rate of growth. So, it's probably not a good idea for e.g. a teenager to start serious CR. The brain continues development, from babyhood into perhaps the early twenties. Slowing down brain development is probably not a good idea for a teenager. But, starting at about 21, the brain is fully developed; it's downhill from there. So, that's probably the optimal age to start CR. You're in your thirties -- so your age is probably close to optimal to start CR. -- Saul