LIFE EXTENSION THERAPY
(Investigator 176, 2017 September)
History
There are two things certain in life — death and taxes. Taxes to a
certain extent we can control — death is inevitable.
Throughout history however, there have been many who believed
otherwise. Cleopatra commissioned philosophers to search for the elixir
vitae believed to be the Divine Water which governs the perennial
plants. Paracelsus theorised that by bringing the various elements of
the human body into harmony with the elements of nature — earth, fire,
wind and water, etc., — old age and death might be indefinitely
postponed. His experiment in the extraction of its essential spirit
from the poppy resulted in the production of laudanum, which he
prescribed freely in the form of "three black pills."
The notion that natural spring water possessed eternal qualities
motivated Ponce de Leon's legendary search for the Fountain of Youth.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s the idea of life extension received a
boost with the publication of Life
Extension: A Practical Scientific Approach by life extension
guru Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw. Omnitrition International Inc., of
Carrollton, Texas, markets supplements based on formulations by Durk
Pearson and Sandy Shaw, one of which is called WOW!, a nutritional alternative to
coffee. It contains 80 mg of caffeine and various amounts of vitamins,
minerals and amino acids.
Theory
That there is some substance, yet to be determined or discovered, that
will rejuvenate or prolong one's lifespan. In ancient times, the search
centred mainly around the philosophers' stone. Today it revolves around
the use of various drugs, therapies, vitamin and mineral supplements
and health fads.
Practice
The ingesting of various pharmaceutical products.
Assessment
The knowledge that we are not immortal is not pleasant for some to
contemplate. Any theory, product, diet, exercise or suggestion that
aging can be retarded or life extended is sure to have appeal leaving
us vulnerable to quackery.
Life extension therapy lends itself admirably to multilevel marketing
in which independent distributors sell products in their customers'
homes. Those customers become recruits, who in turn, not only buy the
products themselves but sell to others. The therapeutic claims made on
behalf of the products are typically vague in order to avoid government
enforcement action. Some companies however, run the risk hoping that
government agencies will not catch up with them until their customer
base is well established. Multilevel products are usually overpriced
and have questionable nutritional value. They are best avoided unless
specifically recommended by a medical doctor.
The success of these ventures lies in the enthusiasm of its
participants and the erroneous correlation between cause and effect.
Unsubstantiated testimonials also play a large part in promoting the
products.
In the long run, provided one follows a few simple rules such as a
sensible diet and avoiding harmful activities — smoking, excessive
alcohol consumption, and generally adopting a healthy lifestyle, old
age and the inevitable should hold no fear.
References:
Barrett, S. 1993. The Health Robbers.
Prometheus Books, Buffalo, NY.
Butler, K.A. 1992. A Consumer's Guide to "Alternative Medicine". Prometheus Books, Buffalo, NY.
Jarvis, W. 1983. Quackery and You. Review
& Herald.
Pearson, Durk & Shaw, Sandy. 1982. Life Extension: A Practical Scientific
Approach. Warner Books, NY.
_________________________1984. The
Life Extension Companion. Warner Books, NY. New York.
From: Edwards, H. 1999 Alternative, Complementary, Holistic &
Spiritual Healing, Australian Skeptics Inc