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Is Dara Torres Believable?
Some writers and others are questioning Dara Torres' Olympic feats at the age of 41. Today I read Mark Zeigler's article in the San Deigo Union-Tribune asserting that Torres is truly unbelievable and she is likely taking growth hormone.
Michael Phelps and his 8 gold medals is practically beyond belief. And yet, Zeigler does not question his accomplishments. The point is that Phelps and Torres are both very rare... bodies like theirs do not come along very often - to enable what they do - but they can, and this time they did. We may not see another Michael Phelps with the perfect body proportions and extraordinary workouts for another 100 years and along the same lines, we might not see another Dara Torres, who ages as slowly as she does, for some time to come.
I am likely one of the world's experts on growth hormone and aging, having recently testified before Congress on the subject, prior to the Roger Clemens hearing. Mark Zeigler's statement that the decline in athletic performance with age is due to growth hormone is not true and tremendously oversimplifies a very complex physiologic puzzle. Many well-conducted scientific studies also show that growth hormone replacement does very little if anything to enhance athletic performance. Also, in mice, growth hormone speeds up aging, increases risk for cancer and shortens lifespan.
So is Dara Torres' performance at her age natural (in conjunction with her extraordinary workouts)? I believe so. Just as believable as finding someone who has lived to 110 years old. And, I can tell you, as Director of the New England Supercentenarian Study (www.bumc.bu.edu/supercentenarian) that 110 yr olds exist also. In fact, we even had a 119 yr old in our study (the second oldest in the world, ever). These extraordinary people, like centenarians (age 100+) have a history of aging very slowly, markedly delaying any disability well into their 90s. For a supercentenarian, they can delay disability to say age 105+.
Centenarians are pretty rare, at about 1 per 6,000 in the population. Supercentenarians are a lot rarer, at 1 per 7,000,000, but they do exist! Dara Torres is very rare also, but to me, she is aging very slowly and doing so naturally is the natural history of centenarians and supercentenarians. OK, have I emphasized the word "natural" enough?
Michael Phelps and his 8 gold medals is practically beyond belief. And yet, Zeigler does not question his accomplishments. The point is that Phelps and Torres are both very rare... bodies like theirs do not come along very often - to enable what they do - but they can, and this time they did. We may not see another Michael Phelps with the perfect body proportions and extraordinary workouts for another 100 years and along the same lines, we might not see another Dara Torres, who ages as slowly as she does, for some time to come.
I am likely one of the world's experts on growth hormone and aging, having recently testified before Congress on the subject, prior to the Roger Clemens hearing. Mark Zeigler's statement that the decline in athletic performance with age is due to growth hormone is not true and tremendously oversimplifies a very complex physiologic puzzle. Many well-conducted scientific studies also show that growth hormone replacement does very little if anything to enhance athletic performance. Also, in mice, growth hormone speeds up aging, increases risk for cancer and shortens lifespan.
So is Dara Torres' performance at her age natural (in conjunction with her extraordinary workouts)? I believe so. Just as believable as finding someone who has lived to 110 years old. And, I can tell you, as Director of the New England Supercentenarian Study (www.bumc.bu.edu/supercentenarian) that 110 yr olds exist also. In fact, we even had a 119 yr old in our study (the second oldest in the world, ever). These extraordinary people, like centenarians (age 100+) have a history of aging very slowly, markedly delaying any disability well into their 90s. For a supercentenarian, they can delay disability to say age 105+.
Centenarians are pretty rare, at about 1 per 6,000 in the population. Supercentenarians are a lot rarer, at 1 per 7,000,000, but they do exist! Dara Torres is very rare also, but to me, she is aging very slowly and doing so naturally is the natural history of centenarians and supercentenarians. OK, have I emphasized the word "natural" enough?
HRT and Aging
Hi I'm new here and have a background in Bioidentical Hormone Therapy for Anti-Aging. I no longer work in the area but do have a few years experience.
If you do have problems with low hormone levels it can cause serious aging like symptoms and the only sensible treatment is to supplement those hormones to bring levels back up.
If anyone has any questions I'd be more than happy to give answers where I can.
If you do have problems with low hormone levels it can cause serious aging like symptoms and the only sensible treatment is to supplement those hormones to bring levels back up.
If anyone has any questions I'd be more than happy to give answers where I can.
My first post
I am new to Eons and newer to this group. I wanted to see what people in the group are doing to keep in shape. How do you exercise? How do you eat?
Pass along any tips that you may have.
Pass along any tips that you may have.
Happy Birthday to Aunt Sister!
My dad's sister celebrates her 100th birthday today. I wrote a piece in my blog during the summer, when we all gathered for a combined birthday party and reunion. I'm borrowing from my blog post to tell you about her:
"What I want to share is that Lona Mae is a testament to living longer. I'm emphasizing the word "living" because our culture seems to be fixated on the numbers (oh, how we agonize over the 40th, or 50th, or 60th birthday) or on eliminating the external signs of aging. Lona Mae doesn't seem to be too concerned about the numbers or the wrinkles; she's too busy with the living part. She's an example of what the experts refer to when they say that, to live longer, we need to keep our brains sharp, our bodies healthy, our relationships strong, and our spirits nourished.
That's what Lona Mae does when she has her friends over twice a week to play cards, or when she plays dominoes with family members (and usually wins). That's why she enjoyed a recent trip to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals play (walking from the car to the stadium and up the steps to her seat without assistance). That's why a drive to Memphis to watch Avatar didn't daunt her, even if it meant getting home at 2:00 a.m. It's also why she planned a slumber party for her younger sisters, so that they could come to her house, catch up on family gossip and have fun. And it's why she enjoyed a trip to Las Vegas and will enjoy a trip to Greece next spring.
But Lona Mae is not just about having fun. She has a very active spiritual life, which was recognized by a recent Christian service award by Harding University. The recognition noted that she has taught Bible classes for more than 80 years. She was also one of the founding members of a group of ladies in her church who provide help for community members in need.
Lona Mae's skills are not limited to sewing; she also enjoys quilting, ceramics, crochet, knitting and making holiday ornaments. She is generous with her handiwork and many family members have examples of items she has made. At a recent family reunion, she unveiled a large table which was filled with beautiful scarves that she had knitted. She invited all of her nieces who were present to come forward and choose one. I was among the happy recipients.
Lona Mae has always had a special place in the hearts of her family and friends. As the oldest of 14 children, she learned early that her contribution to the family's welfare was crucial and her mother recorded in her life story that Lona Mae was a caretaker for the younger children and a great help around the house. Today, she is the touchstone for the family; all of us depend upon her wisdom and "good sense", as well as her knowledge of the family history and its continuing story."
I feel very fortunate to have my aunt to emulate, no matter how many years I live. She is a wonderful example of a life well-spent!
Annie
"What I want to share is that Lona Mae is a testament to living longer. I'm emphasizing the word "living" because our culture seems to be fixated on the numbers (oh, how we agonize over the 40th, or 50th, or 60th birthday) or on eliminating the external signs of aging. Lona Mae doesn't seem to be too concerned about the numbers or the wrinkles; she's too busy with the living part. She's an example of what the experts refer to when they say that, to live longer, we need to keep our brains sharp, our bodies healthy, our relationships strong, and our spirits nourished.
That's what Lona Mae does when she has her friends over twice a week to play cards, or when she plays dominoes with family members (and usually wins). That's why she enjoyed a recent trip to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals play (walking from the car to the stadium and up the steps to her seat without assistance). That's why a drive to Memphis to watch Avatar didn't daunt her, even if it meant getting home at 2:00 a.m. It's also why she planned a slumber party for her younger sisters, so that they could come to her house, catch up on family gossip and have fun. And it's why she enjoyed a trip to Las Vegas and will enjoy a trip to Greece next spring.
But Lona Mae is not just about having fun. She has a very active spiritual life, which was recognized by a recent Christian service award by Harding University. The recognition noted that she has taught Bible classes for more than 80 years. She was also one of the founding members of a group of ladies in her church who provide help for community members in need.
Lona Mae's skills are not limited to sewing; she also enjoys quilting, ceramics, crochet, knitting and making holiday ornaments. She is generous with her handiwork and many family members have examples of items she has made. At a recent family reunion, she unveiled a large table which was filled with beautiful scarves that she had knitted. She invited all of her nieces who were present to come forward and choose one. I was among the happy recipients.
Lona Mae has always had a special place in the hearts of her family and friends. As the oldest of 14 children, she learned early that her contribution to the family's welfare was crucial and her mother recorded in her life story that Lona Mae was a caretaker for the younger children and a great help around the house. Today, she is the touchstone for the family; all of us depend upon her wisdom and "good sense", as well as her knowledge of the family history and its continuing story."
I feel very fortunate to have my aunt to emulate, no matter how many years I live. She is a wonderful example of a life well-spent!
Annie
September Virgo will be 77!
My paternal Aunt is 101 1/2 and will be 102 in December. I am new to Eons and this group.
Hmmmmm?
Grandmother of 21
Hmmmmm?
Grandmother of 21
Younger Next Year
Anyone here read the book "Younger Next Year" by Chris Crowley & Henry S Lodge? It is pretty good. ... truly inspires one to get off their butt and get out there and start moving! ... well, at least it did for me.
Old Age
I tell my coworkers that I have at least 50 good years left and that's not counting the ones with a walker or such. Part of staying young is Attitude. Don't thinik old and keep moving. Keep up with what's going on in the world.
new years wish
May all your wishes and hopes come true during this new year. May all my new found friends enjoy a new year filled with with health and happiness for the new year.
Mayo Clinic
Has anyone had any experience with the Mayo Clinic? My husband has an appointment in October. Any suggestions on where to stay?
