CR_Research _Moves_Forward!
Phase three of the CR research project on Long-Term Effects of CR on Humans has begun! This post is a “snapshot” of the research that we are involved with at the renowned Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Begun in 2002, it is the first longitudinal study of CR in humans, so we are evaluated every few years and compared to “our former selves.” It is also the first study of long-term CR in humans – very different from eating fewer calories for a few weeks.
Meredith and Paul arrived at Wash U’s IRU (Intensive Research Unit) on September 29 to settle in for some of the most intensive testing we have ever experienced. The moment we arrived, the testing began. We were asked to wear transmitters to provide information on various physiological changes associated with long life in CR animals.
The really big deal came the next day, when muscle biopsies were taken on each of us. The “Day of the Biopsies” was cathartic for us. For the past eight years, we have worked to help CR-in-humans progress from mere speculation to a lifestyle designed living designed to produce cellular expression patterns that emulate those in long-lived animal studies. Finally, the moment of truth was upon us!
Or was it? Could we blow it all by letting our adrenalin run wild, a normal human response to medical testing – ruining the genetic expression patterns
that prove CR works? Or for that matter, could we have taken interfering supplements or made other dietary mistakes that also ruin CR’s genetic effects? Well, the latter is highly improbable because we have clinically tested everything in our diet. But to keep our adrenalin down, we came with a plan. *The CR Way* readers know that we use relaxation meditation to settle our bodies whenever we need to go to sleep or become calm under adversity. We coupled relaxation meditation with soft bamboo flute music from Sudir (one of our meditation teachers). It worked: Monitors of heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels (all of these spike when adrenalin flows) showed that these markers stayed at the same low levels throughout the procedure.
After the procedure, for any discomfort we were offered Tylenol, which we declined. Only three hours after the biopsy, we went for a mile-long walk.
And three days after, we were back following our regular routine such as walking with 30-lb weight vests.
At Wash U, we were the first of a cohort of at least 24 who will have their genes looked at. Without giving away the details, which is reserved for Dr. Fontana and his colleagues, we can say that our clinical results were phenomenal – as they have been in the other two phases. Even we were surprised at just how good some outcomes were – especially certain things that concern virtually everyone, like bone health.
So, break out the unsweetened cranberry juice! Prepare to celebrate: We
believe that the results of this study will positively change the lives of a
lot of people. What could be better than that?
Paul & Meredith
