Eons before Spanish Navigator/Explorer Ponce de Leon travelled around the world searching for the Fountain of Youth, people in their native domain, surprisingly, even the cavemen, had already been using local rituals and herbs to look and feel younger, and to live longer.
Today’s various media are loaded with misinformation and fake data on ways to slow down ageing, or even achieve immortality. Ridiculous as they may sound, here is an even more hilarious example:
“The search for a Fountain of Youth has driven humankind down some strange avenues of inquiry. But there may be none stranger than the work of Dr. Serge Voronoff. Known in his time as “the monkey grand expert,” Voronoff believed that human aging could be halted or even reversed by transplanting monkey testicles into people, for immortality.’ And that was among the most down-to-earth of his ideas.”
There is no medical evidence that monkey testicles, or organs (brain, heart, liver, kidneys, etc.) of baby animals, or any herbal concoction or modern drugs, promote longevity. Time to put these ‘theories’ to rest.
As I have written in this column in the past, humankind should stop wasting time exploring for the Fountain of Youth around the globe, because we have it right in our home, and right in our hands. It is called a healthy lifestyle, coupled with wisdom, discipline, tenacity, and persistence.
A healthy lifestyle starts with a smart diet of fish, vegetables, nuts, some fruits, minimal carbs and red meat, restful sleep, exercise, no soft drinks of any kind, stress management, abstinence from tobacco, and only occasional alcohol, if at all, since recent studies show no amount of alcoholic drink is safe. The great sacrifice this requires is worth the great dividend we get in terms of health, happiness, and longevity.
News: A 2026 study revealed that taking a multivitamin daily can modestly slow biological aging (by reducing cellular aging) in older adults by 2.7 to 5.1 months over 2 years based on epigenetic clock measurements. – (Nature Medicine)
To a significant extent, our health and longevity are within our control. It is never too late to start loving our bodies and stop abusing our health.
GLP-1 and vision
There are about 12 percent of Americans currently taking a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and 35 percent of others are interested in using them. Globally, there are about 5.1 million users. Since the pill form of Wegovy was released, more than 170,000 Americans have been taking this pill. The obesity drug semaglutide (Wegovy) has a significantly higher risk of ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) than any other GLP-1 agonist, including semaglutide for diabetes (Ozempic), an analysis of FDA data (31,774 subjects) showed. Luckily, ION is very rare, but it is best to be aware of this finding. Discuss any concerns with your physician.
GLP-1: more benefits
While GLP-1 drugs have been found to be most efficacious in treating T2 diabetes, they have also been found to be a great aid in weight management. Latest studies reveal those on GLP-1 had a reduction of 10 percent to 20 percent in heart failure, cardiac arrest, lung failure, kidney failure, reduced joint pains, stroke, fatty liver pneumonia, and even Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. More extensive clinical use of these wonder drugs in the years to come will show us if they have any potential harmful side effects or complications from long-term use.
The booster vaccine
A clinical research among “adults in England aged 50 years or older showed that those who received the bivalent BA.1 mRNA booster vaccine during the 2022 autumn campaign had substantially lower risks for COVID-related hospitalization and death for up to 350 days after vaccination compared to peers who did not receive the booster.” Complete vaccination, including the booster shots, significantly reduces the risk of developing the devastating Long COVID.
Caring and cognition
Caring for grandchildren is associated with better cognitive performance among seniors, according to a study posted in Psychology and Aging. The brain, like our muscles, needs exercise and challenges. Puzzle-solving, social interaction, travel, and a positive attitude all boost brain power and minimize cognitive decline. However, “excessive caregiving stress could negate the potential benefits.” Everything in moderation, indeed.
Fatal falls
Here are some scary statistics: “Fatal falls are increasing: the age-adjusted fall death rate increased by 41% from 55.3 per 100,000 older adults in 2012 to 78.0 per 100,000 older adults in 2021. Fatal falls are more common in December and January, likely due to factors such as more ice in northern climates and the desire to get on ladders to decorate for holidays and remove decorations. Most advice to prevent falls focuses on factors such as medication reviews, muscle strengthening, better eyeglasses, and getting rid of trip hazards. All are important, but we need to actively tell our older patients to stop getting on ladders (as well as step stools).” – MS
Pancreatic cancer
The FDA has approved a first-of-its-kind wearable electrical device — Optune Pax (Novocure) — for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel. Optune Pax delivers alternating electrical fields, known as tumor treating fields (TTFields), to the abdomen. TTFields work by disrupting the rapid cell division characteristic of cancer cells, causing cell death. Swiss-based maker Novocure said the approval is the first for locally advanced pancreatic cancer in nearly 30 years.” – MS
The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities, and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation, or treatment in our article is general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali, distinguished educators, renowned scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com. On Amazon.com, search for “Where is My America?” Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
