Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Barbara Strauch

Broadcast and podcast on webtalkradio.net. The podcast is also on the links below

 

 Boomer and Senior Brains Can Get Better with Age [52:12m]: Play NowDownload

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It is hard to see the big picture trying to digest a pile of journal articles, press releases, or newsletter and newspaper articles. Barbara Strauch (pronounce Starch) is very talented at putting research in perspective with an appreciation of the importance of the quality of research design and a knack for writing about it in a way that speaks to both scientists and the public. She is the author of The Secret Life of the Grown Up Brain.I find her findings important in three ways:

• reassurance that a lot of experience in middle age, like daydreaming and forgetting things, is normal for middle age and not a reason for alarm

• that there are neurological improvements as including grown of new neurons, even in the hippocampus, mylenization of nerves that helps neurons function as much as 100% more efficiently, and the amygdala shifting from an emphasis on negative events to and emphasis on positive events.

• longitudinal research discrediting the midlife crisis and empty nest sage theories.

Myths we covered included:

• There is no new neuron growth after puberty

• There are no structural changes after puberty

• The midlife crisis and empty nest syndrome theories were based on small poorly designed studies that have been discredited by longitudinal studies

• The brain isn’t just like a computer in that it is constantly adapting and rewiring itself

• many nutrients can pass the blood brain barrier

• far from aging being downhill, people tend to be happier with age, with happiness peaking around age 65

• How middle aged brains are different

          o myelin-peaks at age 50 (greater bandwidth)

          o slower processing speed

          o reorganize—both sides of the brain

          o biased toward the positive amygdala

          o more knowledge

          o better emotional control

          o seeing patterns and big pictures, anticipate situations, templates

          o estrogen and menopause

          o value on experiences, relationships vs. novelty

          o poorer at multi-tasking

          o better vocabularies

          o nutrients do cross the blood brain barrier

          o inflammation

          o calmer, happier

• how to maintain, even improve skills

          o education—brain reserve

          o exercise-aerobic

           o nutrition

          o socialize

          o stretch cognitively

Barbara Strauch’s website is www.grownupbrain.com Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Judith Horstman

Broadcast and podcast starting: July 5, 2010 on webtalkradio.net. After 7-12-10 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 The Future of Your Brain [51:32m]: Play NowDownload

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From a longevity perspective, it is the best time ever to be alive—so far. There are so many medical advances becoming available and incredible ones in the pipeline. Take good care of yourself so you will be able to benefit from these wonderful resources. From a cultural perspective, change is happening at a logarithmic rate. The change brings marvelous communication and educational opportunities worldwide. At the same time, it is fraught with ethical and political perils.

For the brain in particular, we are already seeing nanotechnology help with cancer, biotech helping some blind people to see and deaf people to hear, thought prosthetics help people better use prostheses, and deep brain stimulation helping tens of thousands with movement disorders. In the pipeline are stem cells to grow new brain tissue, artificial spare parts, robots, and brain chips. Just as we had the Genome  Project map all the human genes in 2003. Now the Human Epigenome Project is mapping how human genes turn on and off. 

Some of the key concepts we discussed were that at every age, even in people with dementia or terminal cancer, brains are still producing new neurons. The most important factor in whether those fledging neurons thrive or die is whether we challenge our brain enough with new, difficult learning. Other factors in brain health include socialization, exercise, and nutrition.  

In studying literature, it is easy to get bogged down in the forest and only see trees. Judith Horstman’s The Scientific American Brave New Brain gives both an aerial view and highlights of the most seminal brain research. It is written for the inquisitive layperson but also is valuable to scientists.

Judith Horstman’s website is  www.JudithHorstman.com Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Jerzy and Aniela Gregorek

Broadcast and podcast starting: June 21, 2010 on webtalkradio.net. After 6-28-10 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 Why You Haven’t Been Able to Get Fit and Lose Weight [62:52m]: Play NowDownload

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We see someone who is obese and tend to think, if only they would reduce their calories and exercise, they wouldn’t be fat. Such simplistic concepts make getting fit and losing weight difficult, almost impossible for most of us.


Aniela Gregorek has won five World Weightlifting championship and established six world records. Her husband Jerzy Gregorek has five World Weightlifting Championships and also has a world record.We’re not talking about bulky muscle bodybuilder weightlifting. We’re talking about very fit, high energy, agile weightlifters with quick movements. Aniela and Jerzy combined their own experience with optimal fitness with years of coaching athletes and nonathletes and authored, The Happy Body. It is a sophisticated integration of practical exercises you can do at home, surprising nutrition principles, and an emphasis of relaxation, posture, flexibility, and quickness.


My goal for health, wellness, and fitness is different than that of most fitness gurus. I want people to be as healthy as possible now and in our hundreds. I was delighted when I found The Happy Body and it emphasis on holistic health including strength, stamina, quickness, posture, flexibility, and avoiding injury and undue stress on knees and other joints. The exercises the Gregoreks illustrate in The Happy Body primarily use dumbbells and only take about half an hour. With what Jerzy and Aniela Gregorek say about aerobic exercise, I would add brief sprinting, such as running in place, on a trampoline, or down the block as fast and vigorously as possible for 10 to 60 seconds.


Pursuing sports can be a lot of fun. Most sports, however, aren’t particularly healthy. Tennis has a lot of repetitive motion and can be hard on shoulders, arms, and elbows. Even golf has a lot of repetitive motion. Basketball and jogging can be quite hard on knees. Soccer includes head butting balls which is bad for your brain. Etc. Thus you are more likely to get fit and healthy from carefully selected holistic exercises like the ones in The Happy Body than from sports.The Happy Body is more than exercise. The Gregoreks’ nutritional advice emphasizes very balanced eating with a lot of vegetables. Like their exercise advice, their nutritional advice was based on years of experimenting with themselves, other athletes, and nonathletes. Thus their advice to eat a snack or meal every three hours is carefully designed to encourage building muscle and metabolizing fat. Note that they find that to metabolize fat we need to be relaxed. Likewise sleep is important for metabolizing fat and losing weight.


When I looked at the book online and the $48.95 price I was reluctant to get it as I figured many readers might balk at the price. When I got it I changed my mind. The 8½ X 11 inch book is laid out like a color cookbook, schoolbook, or coffee table book. It is beautifully illustrated which makes it all the more enjoyable to read. It does contain everything you need to use his system other than the dumbbells.


Their website it www.thehappybody.com. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Dr. Jonathan Wright

Broadcast and podcast starting: June 7, 2010 on webtalkradio.net. After 7-14-10 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 Bio-identical Hormone Replacement for Better Health [58:33m]: Play NowDownload

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Since 1997, physicians happily wrote millions of prescriptions for Wyeth Pharmaceutical’s Premarin® and Prempro®. A prophet crying in the wilderness, Dr. Wright wrote the definitive book on bio-identical hormone replacement, Natural Hormone Replacement for Women Over 45. In it he cited the problems with the medications and the superiority of bio-identical hormone replacement.  

In 2002 the large research study, The Women’s Health Initiative, terminated the study because it found that Prempro® (Wyeth’s artificial estrogen and progesterone) increased the incidence of breast cancer increase 26% and instead of reducing heart disease as previously believed, increased the incidence of heart disease. Further, it increased the incidence of dementia. Premarin® and Prempro® prescriptions plummeted.

Despite fierce opposition by the pharmaceutical industry, bio-identical hormone replacement has been increasing in popularity. In 2010 Dr. Wright wrote the definitive book on the subject, Stay Young & Sexy with Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement.

Iconoclast Dr. Jonathan Wright is such a remarkable man. He saw the light when others didn’t know to look for it. He fought the drug companies and medical establishment at considerable personal cost. His advice is solidly based in both research and years of clinical experience.

To recap some key points:

• Hormone replacement needs to mimic the chemistry, quantities, and cycles of nature as closely as possible
• Pills are not a good route for hormone supplements as the liver removes most of them
• It is vital to periodically test to assess how well the supplements are mimicking nature
• The gold standard for testing is a 24-hour urine test
• Hormone replacement for women should include an assessment of testosterone levels

Some of the benefits of bio-identical hormone replacement include:

• Better skin, libido, energy, cognition, and sleep
• Less risk of cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, dementia, depression, urinary tract infections, and urinary incontinence

Dr. Wright is the author of co-author of 14 books and Editor of the monthly newsletter, Health and Nutrition. His websites are www.StayYoungAndSexy.com and www.TahomaClinic.com. You can hear his radio broadcasts at http://www.tahomaclinic.com/news.html.  Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Dr. Ofer Zur

Broadcast and podcast starting: May 10, 2010 on webtalkradio.net. After 5-17-10 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully: Play NowDownload

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Comedian Mike Birbiglia says he dreamt that he could fly but in the dream decided not to fly for safety reasons. Dr. Ofer Zur reminds us that you are more likely to die on the freeway than from life enhancing pursuits that make us feel alive. Ofer and I discussed how most therapy clients, while presenting with problems like depression and anxiety, are primarily seeking a sense of purpose and connection. We discussed how a bucket list is a great is a great idea as long as isn’t static, but gets periodically updated to reflect our changing needs as our lives change.

Ofer talked about how our culture sees death as a failure instead of part of the natural rhythm of life. He sees an emphasis on more toys, fancier cars, cosmetic surgery, more and better sex, and miraculous technology as often an attempt to deny death. Those emphases have a lot of financial vested interests in selling toys and surgeries, in filling hospital and nursing home beds, and in selling pills even when a patient’s quality of life is abysmal.

There are, however, several aspects of our culture that are improving how we view death:

• If you think of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, most Americans are able to meet their basic needs and have the luxury of being able to give considerable thought and pursuit to being fully alive.
• Most Baby Boomers are not willing to settle for reaching 65, getting a gold watch, and retiring to obscurity. Most want to continue to make a difference at every age. As Ofer put it, they want to die erect.
• Boomers’ experiences caring for aging parents are shaping a more realistic outlook on how they want to age and die.
• While we didn’t talk about it, the greenhouse movement and Eden alternative are starting to change nursing homes from institutions to homes. More information on that is in my Ageless Lifestyles® interview with Beth Baker. To find it just search the contents section of AgelessLifestyles.com or the link in the commentary for this show.
• Americans are increasing seeking alternative medicine as well as conventional medicine.
• The hospice movement has had a huge impact on how we view dying from chronic illnesses.

The hospice movement has prompted increased calls for physicians to go along with a good death. In England in 2007 and 2008, more than 16% of deaths were from continuous deep sedation until death. The procedure usually takes a few days. Most of the patients have terminal illnesses and are in the late stages of dying. Netherlands physicians started with lethal injections, which only takes a few minutes. Continuous deep sedation has become more common there, however, because lethal injections “required so much paperwork.” Oregon’s 1997 Death with Dignity legislation set up a number of procedures to serve as safeguards against requests that don’t involve intractable unbearable pain or terminal illness. This is also called a timely death as opposed to a “premature” death.

Philosopher and right to die advocate James Park makes an excellent argument that rather than setting up a bureaucracy for asking permission to die, we should have laws about what constitutes a premature death. Crossing the line would be a criminal offense and the burden of proof would be on the prosecution. I think that makes a lot of sense. We don’t need a HIPPA law version of a right to die. Personally what I favor most is allowing patients to choose to stop taking medications, dialysis, and even food and water and die a natural death. That way physicians are not dragged into a Dr. Death role and the qualms that may bring.

While I strongly support a right to die as we choose and without bureaucracy, caution is also indicated. Family or governments may pressure people who don’t to die to conserve resources and make a human sacrifice. It’s a slippery slope. I agree with Ofer that we are out of balance in expecting unlimited healthcare as a right and entitlement and not appreciating limited resources. Great caution is needed to make sure the pendulum doesn’t swing too far the other way. It’s one thing for soldiers to make a sacrifice for the greater good. That is very different form asking civilians to give up their lives if they feel it would be premature. The cultural shift needs to come from alternative views like hospice as opposed to bureaucrats. Further, alternatives influence choices. Many who live in nursing homes might choose to die. If they were living in their own home or a Greenhouse or Eden alternative home, might find life quite fulfilling. Those alternatives, by the way, are a little more expensive to build but no more expensive to run.

Well, I’m getting sidetracked on right to life issues. The main theme of the interview was how being ready to die at anytime enhances our living fully now.

Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Dr. Frank Wildman

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Broadcast and podcast starting: April 26, 2010 on webtalkradio.net. After 5-3-10 the podcast is also on the links below (to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

Moshe Feldenkrais, who died in 1984, created a very unique movement therapy system based on a systems understanding of the mind and body, a developmental approach to movement, and increasing awareness of movement. I have tried to read Feldenkrais books and had about ten individual Feldenkrais sessions. The books were daunting. The particular instructor I had while brilliant was so nondirective it was very frustrating.

I was delighted when I found Frank Wildman’s Change Your Age. First, I was thrilled with the concept of “movement age” being another way to measure aging. The developmental psychology and optimistic approach fit well with my developmental psychology background and unsinkable optimism. To my delight his book and approach is very practical, readable, and as directive as Feldenkrais can get. Not only does Frank break exercises into five-minute explorations instead of one-hour lessons, he even gives his private practice patients homework “prescriptions.” 

To review key concepts in the interview, the change your age concept is that we develop habits and our habits become rigid, causing us to move like “old people.” To add to the problem, popular approaches to exercise tend to only move certain muscles in certain ways and leave us unprepared for lateral moves and dealing with varied situations. Taking some time to become more aware of our bodies and do movements we don’t normally do can undo movement aging and rigidity.

The payoff is moving with grace, integration, and coordination, moving more adaptively, reducing pain and tension, reducing the risk of accidents and fractures, and reducing wear and tear on our bodies. A bonus is these short exercises can be done at home, with no special equipment or special clothing and you don’t even break a sweat. For me one of the take aways doesn’t even require a five minute exercise. I am now encouraging myself to squirm and move around a lot when I sit in a chair or car seat.  

Dr. Frank Wildman was a dancer and choreographer before studying with Moshe Feldenkrais for ten years. He was Feldenkrais’ first North American student and became his chief promoter in North America. During that time, he also acquired degrees in physical education, biology, and somatic psychology.  His most recent (2010) book is Change Your Age: Using Your Body and Brain to Feel Younger, Stronger, and More Fit. He also is author of Feldenkrais: The Busy Person’s Guide to Easier Movement, Fibromyalgia: Relief From Chronic Muscle Pain and many CDs and DVDs.

His websites are  www.changeyourage.net and www.FeldenkraisInstitute.org. He is Educational Director of the Feldenkrais Movement Institute and has a private practice in Berkley California. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guests: Painter Alice Matzkin and Sculptor Richard Matzkin

Broadcast and podcast starting: April 12, 2010 on webtalkradio.net. After 4-19-10 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 A Painter and Sculptor’s Perspectives on Aging: Play NowDownload

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So much of Americans’ views of aging are negative. For example, in the movie Harold and Maude, the priest tells Harold:

“I would be remiss in my duty if I did not tell you that the idea of intercourse – the act of your firm, young body… comingling with… withered flesh… sagging breasts… and flabby b-b-buttocks… makes me want… to vomit.”

Alice and Richard Matzkin found themselves intimidated by aging but instead of trying to duck it, they sought out seniors to paint and sculpt and it dramatically changed their perspectives on aging and enriched their lives. They documented their painting and sculptures and insights in their book The Art of Aging, and share their experience with us in this interview.

Art is about seeing and experiencing life from a different perspective. I found talking with Alice and Richard brought up a paradox. They were very into accepting aging and our aging bodies–the idea of aging gracefully. They see aging bodies as beautiful. I always disliked the term aging gracefully. I am more of the Dylan Thomas philosophy and his poetic advice:

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Some people find aging very disturbing and some take it in stride. Alice and Richard found it disturbing and wrestled with it with brush and chisel. They found painting and sculpting seniors both therapeutic and a self-growth experience. Richard sees many people fearing aging. Now quite comfortable with their aging, they refer to themselves as old. They see wrinkles and sagging skin as a map of well earned character.

My role model is the Energizer Bunny on alkaline batteries. While normal batteries wear out gradually, alkaline batteries last longer and maintain a constant energy level until they die rather quickly. Thus, a youthful mental outlook, a healthy diet, appropriate exercise, supplements, balancing hormones, and possibly even surgery are all part of the arsenal for raging against the dying of the light.

We do want to feel comfortable with our age and aging. We do want to feel comfortable with death. We do want to have our awareness that we all die increase our feelings of the preciousness of life and fully appreciating each moment and experience. Graceful aging, however, suggests going along with the program for aging that our parents and grandparents followed. Just as Alice chose to focus on passionate older women rather than women defeated by aging, I would rather focus on a vision of the best possible aging and focus on vital, healthy centenarian role models for how to do it. Further, I want to factor in both how we are aging much better than our parents’ generation and factor in the technological advances that will help us live decades longer.

So back to the paradox. Should we accept aging and death or should we rage against it? My answer is both. (That’s what paradoxes are about.) Accepting aging and death makes us comfortable in our own skins and our own lives. Pursing a youthful mindset and health practices greatly enhances our lives and lifespans.

I certainly agree that when you sparkle on the inside, it shows on the outside. Passion and integrity outshine wrinkles. It is also true, however, that people do judge a book by its cover and do tend to listen more to and want to be with people who are attractive and have a youthful vigor. Thus accepting aging and raging against aging aren’t mutually exclusive but potentially cumulative.

As you gathered, I think The Art of Aging is a wonderful book and a very unique book. Do check out photos from the book at http://matzkinstudio.com/newsFrame.html. If you like this program, you will also like a previous show I did with artist Amy Gorman who interviewed and wrote a book and did a documentary film on centenarian artists. That show, “How Art Can Help You Age Better,” is archived on www.AgelessLifestyles.com.

Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

The Matzkins photo is courtesy of Donna Granata, Focus on the Masters, Series 2009

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Urologist/Harvard Medical School Associate Professor Dr. Abraham Morgentaler

Broadcast and podcast starting: March 29, 2010 on webtalkradio.net. After 4-4-10 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 Testosterone Supplementation: What It Can and Cannot Do: Play NowDownload

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Age brings declining testosterone levels. Low testosterone levels are associated with arteriosclerosis, diabetes, osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction, increased fat, and decreased libido, energy, and muscle mass. While at estimated 20% of American men over fifty have low testosterone levels, only about 5% of them get treatment for it.

Testosterone supplementation reminds me of vitamin supplementation. The government’s minimum daily requirements were based on what was necessary to prevent serious diseases like scurvy and rickets. They don’t reflect what is needed to be healthy. Likewise, medicine has tended to only be concerned about having minimum levels of testosterone as opposed to levels that foster good health.Fortunately, that is changing. Dr. Morgentaler believes that before long most primary care doctors will be familiar with diagnosis and treating low testosterone levels. The myths about cancer, cardiovascular problems, and “that’s just part of aging” are still out there but gradually being replaced by contrary research results and data-based practices.

Some of Dr. Morgentaler’s diagnostic and treatment preferences are:

• focus on free testosterone levels

• estradiol usually isn’t a concern unless the person isn’t responding to treatment or the rare cases where he experiences breast enlargement and tenderness

• testosterone pellets, which last 3-4 months are the most convenient treatment

• monitoring with blood tests is essential to good treatment

• he recommended www.sexhealthmatters.org  for good information and a listing of men’s health doctor

• most guys need to get testosterone levels into the 400s and hopefully above 500 to feel optimized

• no OTC supplements clearly work substantially

Urologist Dr. Abraham Morgentaler is an Associate Clinical Professor at Harvard Medical School and Founder of Men’s Health Boston. His most recent book is Testosterone for Life. I highly recommend reading it before asking a doctor about testosterone levels and supplements. The book is very readable and his advice is research-based and even handed. He is also author of The Male Body, and The Viagra Myth.

Dr. Morgentaler’s websites are www.TestosteroneForLife.com and www.MensHealthBoston.com. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Annette Simmons

Broadcast and podcast starting: March 1, 2010 on webtalkradio.net. After 3-8-10 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 Better Storytelling; Better Aging: Play NowDownload

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  Dr. Mehmet Oz says “by the time we are 50, two-thirds of how we age will be determined by lifestyle.” The goal Ageless Lifestyles® is to help you live a longer, healthier, happier life. One of the biggest challenges with aging is reinventing a sense of purpose and contribution as we age. I know it may sound strange, but I believe becoming a better storyteller is very helpful with longevity, health, and happiness. Let me count the ways:

· By helping you be more successful at communicating your ideas and influencing people, you are better able to follow your purpose and succeed at your goals.

· Becoming a good storyteller promotes you to a family matriarch or patriarch, championing the family traditions and values you love in a way that captures the minds and hearts of family members of all ages.

· Storytelling develops a sense of confidence and efficacy.

· It’s fun.

So what did Annette Simons teach us about storytelling? It is easy to think, I would like to be a good storyteller, but I don’t have any stories. She points out we have all had life crises, challenges and transitions, and thus we all have stories. How to find them? She breaks it six kinds of stories:

1. Who am I?
2. Why am I here?
3. Teaching
4. Vision
5. Values in action
6. I know what you are thinking

While some storytellers have different classifications, Annette Simmons’ system in especially well suited for everyday living, thinking about aging, as well as business. Let’s focus on aging. The who am I? stories are especially important as we update our identity when we experience life transitions and health challenges. It can vary from the somewhat negative why me? to the more positive what now? Life transitions and challenges also prompt why am I here? stories to update our purpose. Teaching stories are especially important for how we view aging. An example is the story I told about the 94-year-old man who believed he was 64. Vision stories look at the big picture and purpose. Values in action stories are particular important in aging in making sure people don’t write off seniors as obsolete or irrelevant but view seniors as having a lot to contribute. Finally, I know what you are thinking stories are marvelous for acknowledging skepticism and differences, starting where the listener is, and leading them to considering possibilities that they usually would rule out.

Ms Simmons’ website is www.groupprocessconsulting.com. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Fredrick Hahn

Broadcast and podcast starting: February 15, 2009 on webtalkradio.net. After 2-22-10 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 The Easiest Way to Get Fit [56:35m]: Play NowDownload

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Let’s review the conventional thinking that Fredrick Hahn turned upside down. According to Mr. Hahn:

• Forget aerobics and lots of reps, the best way to build muscles is to challenge them to exhaustion.

• There is more benefit to doing exercises in slow motion than there is to fast movements that takes advantage of momentum, and consequently places fewer demands on muscles.

• Most athletic pursuits may actually be harmful but may be worth pursuing for enjoyment.

• Stretching makes joints less stable; strength training improves flexibility anyway.

• Exercise does little to improve the heart or lungs. Rather, exercise makes muscles more efficient in extracting oxygen and nutrients.

• Stronger muscles are more flexible.

• The key to weight loss is limiting carbohydrates.

• Cholesterol and saturated fat have been given a bad rap and aren’t necessarily harmful.

• Grains are hard to digest, have little nutritional value, and leach minerals.

• The dietary requirements for carbohydrates, according to a government study, is zero.

Some other points he made included:

• Our muscles atrophy with age unless we use them.

• Muscles are recruited in sequence with fast twitch muscles being the last to be recruited.

• We cannot make new muscles; we can only strengthen the ones we already have.

• Most of weight loss comes from nutrition, not exercise.

• Strength exercise is the best way to build stronger bones.

• Genetics plays a big role in athletic skills and athletic physique. Most people are not capable of having body builder muscles no matter how much they exercise.

• Strength training will not make women look muscular.

• Our bodies are very efficient and require proof its limits are taxed before enhancing muscles.

Is he right? I hope so. Physical fitness and nutrition are a Tower of Babel with many conflicting theories and opinions. What matters most is the results. I’ve started doing the Slow Burn exercises and will give it a two-month trial. I’ll report back later on my experience. As for eschewing carbohydrates, I’m doing some more research. The A to Z study he cited is in the March 2007 issue of the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association.

Mr. Hahn’s website is www.seriousstrength.com. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.