Curt Fey, late starting vegan CR practitioner, dies at age 89

[Saul]

Dear ALL,

 

I learned yesterday that my friend, neighbor and fellow CR practitioner, Curt Fey, died in March, at age 89.  Curt was on a vegan diet -- that included whole grains.  Curt practiced Intermediate Fasting -- he would eat on one day, and fast on the next.  And Curt did not overeat on his feeding day.

 

But there was one glaring problem with his practice of CRON:  He started very late in life, I believe in his eighties. 

 

I did talk Curt into attending one meeting of the CR Society:  At that meeting, I introduced him to Michael.

 

I remember Michael's statement:  Starting CR that late might have a positive effect on healthspan, but not on lifespan.  That prediction has come (mostly) true.

 

However, for over  year, Curt has been an invalid.  He was hospitalized after eating a vegan pizza; and shortly after was using a cane; and after that in a wheelchair; and then in an Assisted Living Center, where he finally passed away.

 

  --  Saul

[Gordo]

Sorry to hear about your friend.  I still haven't worked out what the scientific consensus is for best practices in the elderly.  I've seen numerous hints that high (or higher) protein is important due to the loss of absorbtion capacity in the elderly (maybe this is something that can be tested).  I've also seen references to higher than typical CR BMI being more desirable in the elderly (perhaps to have a reserve to burn if/when sick, or possibly for better bone health.

 

"hospitalized after eating a vegan pizza"

You imply some connection - it would be interesting to know what the connection is (i.e. what was the diagnosis)

[Mechanism]

Edited

[Gordo]

 

 

"Starting CR that late might have a positive effect on healthspan, but not on lifespan.  That prediction has come (mostly) true."  

 

Do you realize for U.S. men, the average life expectancy is just 76?  

Among American men who make it to age 60, life expectancy is 81.

 

At 89 your friend did pretty well as far as lifespan goes, certainly better than most.

[Saul]

Gordo and Mechanism,

 

Thanks for your kind words.

 

I should note:

 

I'll be 78 in mid-June; I'm on a low protein, ketotic diet -- no grains, "whole grains" or otherwise -- and my diet is vegan -- plus a small amount of fish daily.  Breakfast consists of 1-2lbs of raw nappa cabbage with carefully home

brewed high quality Chinese white tea. 

 

I feel great.  Although my biological age is (nearly) 78, I believe that my physical age is younger.

 

  --  Saul