Blood Tests (Part II)

Action to take

When you have your annual physical, include blood testing for fibrinogen,
homocystine, Hemoglobin A1C, and possibly C-reactive protein.

Why

I normally focus on what I know best—what it takes mentally to grow young
and live with purpose. Sometimes, news about physical health issues is so noteworthy
that I address it as well. The research source that I have grown to trust the most
for health news is the nonprofit organization, the Life Extension Foundation.
It has a history of championing causes ten years before mainstream medicine
and federal agencies acknowledge the problem or remedy.

Everyone agrees that exercise and good nutrition are vital to cardiovascular health.
For the past decade, cardiologists have focused on cholesterol in the battle against
heart disease—initially on total cholesterol and later on keeping HDL high and LDL low.
 
The Life Extension Foundation’s research indicates several factors foster cardiovascular
problems and cholesterol probably isn’t the most important factor–certainly not the
preeminent factor. One factor that causes a lot of problems is homocystine.
Homocystine is an amino acid found primarily in meat. Some people’s bodies
are more effective than other’s in breaking down homocystine. When homocystine
accumulates, it causes arteriosclerosis, even when cholesterol levels are normal.

A few decades ago homocystine testing was very expensive and could only be
performed in a few dozen research labs. Now it is a routine test but most
physicians haven’t added it to annual checkups. As the research on homocystine
damage accumulates, physicians have lowered recommended levels from
less than 11 to less than 7umol/L. When compared with <7, the risk of stoke
increases 26% at 7-9, 31% 9-11, and 74% above 11. Homocystine also
appears to contribute to developing Alzheimer’s disease. Fortunately, homocystine
levels usually abate with reduced meat consumption and/or with a combination of
Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, folic acid, and trimethylglycine (TMG or betaine).

Increasingly researchers are finding the two processes that contribute the most
to cardiovascular problems are inflammation and erratic blood sugar levels.
The C-reactive protein test is emerging as an effective marker for early stage
cardiovascular problems in people who have not shown symptoms.
A fasting blood sugar level gives a snapshot of blood sugar levels on a given day.
The A1C test, however, is the best measure of blood sugar level stability over a several
week time period. Thus it is an excellent test for early stages of diabetes.
Testing fibrinogen, homocystine, Hemoglobin A1C, and possibly C-reactive protein
levels in an annual physical may catch a problem early and help prevent serious disability.

Quotes

The best doctors in the world are Dr. Diet, Dr. Quiet, and Dr. Merryman.
~Swift

Humor

After talking with the intern, the woman started screaming hysterically and
ran down the hall. An older doctor stopped and asked her what the problem was.
She explained and he marched down the hall and grilled the young doctor,
“What’s the matter with you? Mrs. Terry is 63 years old and you told her she’s pregnant?”
The new doctor smiled smugly and said, “Cured her hiccups though, didn’t it?”

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Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey is keynote speaker and author of the Oprah-featured book, Defy Aging and 52 baby steps to Grow Young. The books and his Reverse Aging anti-aging hypnosis CDs comprise his anti-aging system.

Blood Tests (Part I)

Action to take

When you have your annual physical, include blood testing for fibrinogen,
homocystine, Hemoglobin A1C, and possibly C-reactive protein.

Why

I normally focus on what I know best—what it takes mentally to grow young
and live with purpose. Sometimes, news about physical health issues is so noteworthy
that I address it as well. The research source that I have grown to trust the most
for health news is the nonprofit organization, the Life Extension Foundation.
It has a history of championing causes ten years before mainstream medicine
and federal agencies acknowledge the problem or remedy.

Everyone agrees that exercise and good nutrition are vital to cardiovascular health.
For the past decade, cardiologists have focused on cholesterol in the battle against
heart disease—initially on total cholesterol and later on keeping HDL high and LDL low.  
The Life Extension Foundation’s research indicates several factors foster cardiovascular
problems and cholesterol probably isn’t the most important factor–certainly not the
preeminent factor. Fibrinogen is one of those overlooked independent risk factors
that has a substantial body of animal and human research indicating that higher levels
of fibrinogen bring higher risk of heart attacks and stroke. In a 2006 study, for example,
fibrinogen was the only independent risk factor to predict who was most likely to die
within 42 months of a heart attack. It also is a risk factor for cancer.

The liver produces the protein fibrinogen to make fibrin for the “mesh” that forms
to enable clotting to heal a wound or stop bleeding. Fibrin also helps in gathering platelets.
We need some fibrin. Americans’ sedentary lifestyles and fat rich diets, however,
often result in levels that are too high. A simple blood test can check fibrinogen levels.
The optimal range is 200-300 mg/dL. Factors that appear to reduce fibrinogen levels include:
• fish oil (e.g., fish such as salmon or from supplements)
• olive oil
• niacin (vitamin B3)
• Vitamin A
• keeping homocystine levels down (which usually can be reduced with vitamins B6, B12,
and folic acid and lowering saturated fats)
• foods and supplements that thin the blood, e.g., aspirin, garlic, green tea, Ginkgo, and Vitamin E

If you do nothing else, when you have your annual physical, include blood testing for fibrinogen,
homocystine, Hemoglobin A1C, and possibly C-reactive protein. Elevations of any of these is a
red flag for high risk of cardiovascular disease. I’ll discuss homocystine, Hemoglobin A1C, and
C-reactive protein in the next issues.

Quotes

very disease is a physician.
~Irish proverb

Humor

A new arrival, about to enter hospital, saw two white coated doctors searching through the flower beds.
“Excuse me,” he said, “have you lost something?”
“No,” replied one of the doctors. “We’re doing a heart transplant for an income-tax inspector
and want to find a suitable stone.”

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Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey is keynote speaker and author of the Oprah-featured book, Defy Aging and 52 baby steps to Grow Young. The books and his Reverse Aging anti-aging hypnosis CDs comprise his anti-aging system.

Cancer Milestone

Action to take

Enjoy the good news that the incidence rates of cancer are declining
and five year survival rates have passed 50%.

Why

In the 1940’s, only one of four cancer patients survived five years.
In the 1960’s, survival was one in three. Now it has reached one in two.
Meanwhile, incidence rates have been dropped by .5% per year from
1991 to 2001.

Surgeries are often less radical and chemotherapy is often more targeted.
This brings a better quality of life for survivors. A few decades ago,
the public knew little about cancer beyond it being a “death sentence.”
In 1979, Norman Cousins’ book described how he used humor to
help overcome cancer, alerting people to the role of psychological
factors. Now there are thousands of support groups, hundreds of
books, and lots of media attention. A decade ago it would have
been hard to imagine millions of Today Show viewers watching
Katie Couric’s colonoscopy on live television. Inspired by her example,
the number of colonoscopy exams in the US increased 20% the following month.
A recent American Cancer Society report says that half of all cancers
are preventable. Cigarette smoking is the biggest cause of lung cancer, which
comprises about a third of cancers in America. Lung cancer has a very poor
survival rate. US smoking rates are declining and more businesses are now
smoke free. Smoking also contributes to several other types of cancer.
Other priority prevention measures include losing weight and testing for
breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostrate cancer.

Cancer research shows great promise. The future will soon have
genetic testing indicating what medications and treatments are
likely to be the most effective. For those who want alternative approaches
to treating cancer, the Moss Reports and the Life Extension Foundation
offer scientific perspectives on alternative medicine approaches
to cancer treatment.

Our nation’s two biggest causes of death are cardiovascular diseases
and cancer. For both, survival rates are showing substantial improvement.

Quotes

Show me a patient who is able to laugh and play, who enjoys living,
and I’ll show you someone who is going to live longer. Laughter makes
the unbearable bearable.
~Dr. Bernie Siegel

Humor

My apologies to not catching the source.
Interviews with cancer survivors included one
who described how his oncologist told him and
and his parents that he might want to smoke
marijuana to help with the nausea and pain from
the treatments. This was a dream come true–
a doctor telling his parents that he should smoke pot.

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Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey is keynote speaker and author of the Oprah-featured book, Defy Aging and 52 baby steps to Grow Young. The books and his Reverse Aging anti-aging hypnosis CDs comprise his anti-aging system.

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Iron Age Blood Giving

Action to take

Consider giving blood periodically–as a good deed and to improve your health.

Why

What if you could perform one of the most generous good deeds possible,
help your health at the same time, and it would not cost you anything?
Chances are that you can. Philosopher Rabbi Moses Maimonides would add that
giving blood is one of the highest forms of charity as the recipient is anonymous.

Too much iron: Most Americans have higher than optimal levels of iron
in their blood. Iron is an oxidant that oxidizes LDL cholesterol and
contributes to atherosclerosis and heart disease. It impairs utilization of
zinc, which is vital to memory, immune functioning, healing, sexual functioning,
and healthy skin. Excess iron increases the risk of cancer and most cancer cells
consume more iron than other cells. One in 250 people have a common
genetic disorder that causes very high levels of iron. Very high levels or iron
damages the heart, liver, and other organs and can be fatal.

Too little iron: Iron is essential to red blood cell production. Iron deficiency
causes anemia, which brings weakness and fatigue and increased vulnerability to illnesses.
Iron is vital to several enzymes, energy production, metabolism and DNA synthesis.

Common sources of concentrated iron:
~Iron supplements
~Many multiple vitamin pills (use ones without iron unless you need iron)
~Cereals, pasta, and other foods fortified with iron
~Red meat
~Clams
~Soybeans, lentils, tofu, and beans

While people fret about whether vegetarians get enough iron, most get plenty from
soybeans, lentils, tofu, and beans. Popeye tried to popularize eating spinach for iron
and strength. One serving (1 cup) of spinach has 2.9 milligrams of iron. Red meat
and soy foods, however, have about twice as much iron as spinach. Three ounces
of clams has a walloping 23.8 milligrams of iron.

Do you have an optimal amount of iron?
When you get your annual physical (You do get an annual physical don’t you?),
make sure at least every few years you check iron levels. There are several
possible tests. Your doctor can choose the one that is most pertinent for you.

Women who menstruate and children have to make more blood and hence need
more iron than men and postmenopausal women. The reason premenopausal
women are less prone to heart attacks may be from menstruation reducing iron in their blood.
External or internal bleeding also would require building more blood.

Donating blood:
Giving blood is the quintessential act of giving of yourself and giving life to others.
If your iron levels are higher than optimal, it can also help you lower your iron levels.
One study found that men who donated blood at least once a year had an 88% lower
risk of heart attack than non-donors. It seems to be a tradition to reward blood donors
with donuts or sweets. When you give blood, bring healthy food with you, e.g., fruit
or nuts, and pass on the junk food.

Quotes

There’s a saying in medicine, which is that you are only as old as your blood vessels.
~Michael West

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
~(source unknown)

Humor

Children say there are three kinds of blood vessels: arteries, vanes and caterpillars.

Why did the Vampire get fired from the Blood Bank?
He was caught drinking on the job.

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Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey is keynote speaker and author of the Oprah-featured book, Defy Aging and 52 baby steps to Grow Young. The books and his Reverse Aging anti-aging hypnosis CDs comprise his anti-aging system.

Do You Plan to Live Longer?

Action to take

Live as if you are going to live a very long time.

Why

An East Sussex man recently obtained a 25 year mortgage on a $400,000 rental property. The UPI article doesn’t sound remarkable until you learn the man is 102 years old. Does this centenarian know something we should know? I think so. He sees himself collecting rent for many years to come. Wishing doesn’t make something so, but it does blaze a path for the opportunity.

If anyone should have lived a long life it was George Burns. After all, he got to play the title role of God in not one, but three movies (Oh, God!, Oh, God! Book II, and Oh God! You Devil!). Through his movies he became more successful and well known in his eighties and nineties than his earlier success at vaudeville, radio, and TV.

His career began as a song and dance man. Not taking himself too seriously, he often broke the “fourth wall” by breaking from the skit and chatting with the audience about what was happening. He loved to work and said, “The happiest people I know are the ones who are working. The saddest are the ones who are retired.” He was very devoted to his wife Gracie and his two adopted children, and he had many close friends.

He booked a big hundredth birthday bash at the London Palladium. In his comedy routines he often quipped, “I can’t die, I’m booked.” I was going to say that if he had booked a bash for his 101st and other birthdays, he might have seen more birthdays. Perhaps he should have taken out a 25 year mortgage as well.

With more careful research, however, I found that at 98 he fell in the bathtub and hit his head. His health and mobility went quickly downhill after the fall. It was looking forward to the 100th birthday bash that helped keep him alive to 100.
He died six weeks later. Instead of taking out a mortgage he probably needed to see himself as flexible and coordinated and keep himself in shape to manifest it.

Quotes

Old is always fifteen years from now.
~Bill Cosby

Humor

I’d love to date women my own age – but there aren’t any women my own age.
~George Burns

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Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey is keynote speaker and author of the Oprah-featured book, Defy Aging and 52 baby steps to Grow Young. The books and his Reverse Aging anti-aging hypnosis CDs comprise his anti-aging system.

Centenarian Heroes

Action to take

Forget Superman and Beckman. Choose remarkable centenarians as role models. Here are four who recently made the news:

Why

At 104 R. Waldo McBurney maintains a downtown office in Quinter Kansas where he sells honey from his 199 colony of bee hives. He still competes in several track events in the Senior Olympics. In 2004 he came out with his first book,
My First 100 Years.

The mysterious decline in bee populations is causing an agricultural crisis. Bees not only produce honey, they pollinate flowers and plants. Diagnosing the problem may come from a young scientist. Or it may come from 101-year-old beekeeper Wendell Cummings. He has kept bees since he was a child. Several years ago he downsized his honey business. He still does a lot of observing and thinking about bees. He believes he the mysterious decline in the bee populations is due to a new strain of beetles from South America. Scientists are seriously studying his theory.

Centenarian Kathryn Davis could have spent her millions self-indulgently. Instead she donated $20 million for clean up and conservation along the Hudson River where she still loves to kayak. Her “1000 Projects for Peace” scholarships awarded $10,000 scholarships to undergraduates who develop and implement grassroots ideas for peace. She also has funded several projects to study Russian language and culture.

Jose “El Nino” Temprana was a Cuban sponge diver and lobster fisherman. He left Cuba in 1994 after spending thirty years in a Cuban prison for opposing Fidel Castro. At 105 he achieved a dream he has had since prison He became an American citizen. He still enjoys gardening and socializing with lots of friends.

Quotes

We don’t get to choose our parents, but we select our lifestyles.
~ R. Waldo McBurney, 104 year old beekeeper and fitness advocate,

I love the thought of people enjoying the river, sailing, kayaking, hiking.
~Kathryn Wasserman Davis, philanthropist

Humor

I was always taught to respect my elders and I’ve now reached the age when I don’t have anybody to respect.
~George Burns

If you live to be one hundred, you’ve got it made. Very few people die past that age.
~George Burns

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Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey is keynote speaker and author of the Oprah-featured book, Defy Aging and 52 baby steps to Grow Young. The books and his Reverse Aging anti-aging hypnosis CDs comprise his anti-aging system.

Hip Centenarians

Action to take

Take heart, 100+ can be pretty hip.

Why

The US Census Bureau estimates there currently are 80,000 Americans
who are 100+ years old. Evercare conducted its second annual 100@100
survey of 100 Americans who are 99 years and older. The results looked a
lot like people in their forties or sixties. To site some examples:

–27% have watched MTV or music videos
–31% have watched reality TV programs
–4% have listened to music on an iPod
–72% have eaten at a fast food restaurant
–11% have had coffee at a Starbucks

To what do they credit their longevity and vitality?
They trust clergy more than doctors and believe
positive attitude and faith are more important than
genes and doctors.

They are concerned about health and nutrition.
82% reported their eating habits were the same or
improved compared to their eating habits 50 years ago.
When asked to choose, they voted for having a
better memory (34 percent) over fewer aches and pains (27 percent)
or taking fewer prescription drugs (13 percent).

Their favorite memories were:
–28% their wedding day
–13% birth of a child
–13% their hundredth birthday
–1% learning to fly at age 76

Quotes

Old age takes away from us what we have inherited
and gives to us what we have earned.
~Gerald Brenan

Humor

I’m getting older so I’ve started to smile more,
because I want the crow’s feet to go up.
~Simone Alexander

He’s so old his blood type was discontinued.
~Bill Dana

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Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey is keynote speaker and author of the Oprah-featured book, Defy Aging and 52 baby steps to Grow Young. The books and his Reverse Aging anti-aging hypnosis CDs comprise his anti-aging system.

Longevity Insurance

Action to take

Consider longevity insurance.

Why

Only a third of Americans say they would like to live to 100.
Their reasons include fearing they will run out of money and be poor.

In a previous blog I cited a British man who bet $200 he would
live to 100 and eventually received $50,000 for winning his bet.
Since then the odds makers want to increase the target to 110 years old.

But there is a relatively new way to win that kind of bet – longevity insurance.

Personally, I dislike life insurance as I hate betting against myself.
You (or rather your survivors) only get the money if you die.
Longevity insurance rewards you for living longer and helps make sure
you have enough income starting at age 85. For example, let’s say a
65-year-old man pays $50,000 in after tax money for a longevity policy.
At age 85 he starts collecting $3,614 a month ($43,368 a year)
for the rest of his life.

If he dies before age 85 he and his heirs receive nothing. For women,
the monthly payments would be somewhat lower because of a longer
life expectancy. Of course you can purchase the insurance before age
65 and receive even higher monthly premiums at 85.

At age 65, life expectancy for American men (2004 data) was
82.1 years and women 85 years. Met Life, Hartford, and other insurance
companies are betting that in most cases they won’t have to pay anything.

You could take the same money and invest it in stocks or bonds.
That would allow you to take money out in an emergency and to
pass on money to heirs. If you get a 6% after tax return rate
on your investments compounded over 20 years, you would start
coming out ahead a shortly before your 90th birthday
with the longevity insurance.

The primary advantage of the insurance is less concern about outliving your money.
It also might be out of reach in the event of a lawsuit or divorce. Unlike life insurance,
you don’t need to qualify, you only need a birth certificate.

The biggest risk with longevity insurance is not living to 85 and collecting nothing.
Another risk is the insurance company could go out of business.

Another consideration is the likelihood of inflation. Whether you invest the money
in an IRA or have longevity insurance, the money will probably have far less purchasing
power in 20 years. At 4% inflation compounded annually, $1,000 in today’s money
would be worth $456 in 20 years. In our previous example the monthly payment
would be equivalent to $1,648 in today’s dollars and each year the value would be a little less.

With life expectancies likely to increase, purchasing longevity insurance in the future
is likely to bring lower monthly benefits than are being offered now. If you believe
you have a good shot at living to 100 or older, longevity insurance can be a good bet.

Quotes

Corporations often purchase “key man” insurance on staff they can’t afford to lose.
Think of yourself as the key man or woman in the business of your own life.
But rather than buy life insurance, do what it takes to live longer and healthier.
~Mike Brickey

Humor

My wife and I took out life insurance policies on each other,
so now it’s just a waiting game.
~Bill Dwyer

The insurance man told me that the accident policy covered falling off the roof,
but not hitting the ground.
~Tommy Cooper

Can atheists get insurance for acts of God?

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Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey is keynote speaker and author of the Oprah-featured book, Defy Aging and 52 baby steps to Grow Young. The books and his Reverse Aging anti-aging hypnosis CDs comprise his anti-aging system.

You Bet Your Life

Action to take

Bet someone you will live to 100 (or older).

Why

250:1 odds. I’d love to take that bet. Ten years ago Englishman Alec Holden
placed a £100 bet with his bookie that he would live to 100. He recently
cashed in on that $200 bet and received $50,000.

You won’t be able to get the 250:1 odds these days. Rupert Adams,
spokesperson for the the bookie, said, “When we started taking these
bets, 100 years old seemed to be an almost mythical landmark and we
were prepared to offer massive odds. But these age wagers are starting
to cost us a fortune and from now on we are going to push out the age
to 110.” The US Census Bureau says the US had 75,000 centenarians
in 2000 and will have 170,000 in 2010 and 1.2 million in 2050.

Don’t you just hate to lose a bet? A lot of people will put a lot of
effort into making sure they win a bet. So why not bet on yourself?
Personally, I have always disliked the idea of life insurance asking me
to bet against myself. Betting you will live to 100, 110, or even 150
puts the incentive where it belongs. And you want to be there for payday.

Quotes

Money won is twice as sweet as money earned.
~from the movie, The Color of Money

Humor

Americans spend $300 billion every year on games of chance;
and that doesn’t include weddings and elections.
~Argus Hamilton

I’m am an only child.
I used to have a brother but my parents gambled a lot.
~Rita Rudner

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Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey is keynote speaker and author of the Oprah-featured book, Defy Aging and 52 baby steps to Grow Young. The books and his Reverse Aging anti-aging hypnosis CDs comprise his anti-aging system.