Longevity - Can Fat Cells Dictate How Long a Human Survives?Written by C Bailey-Lloyd/Lady Camelot
According to September Issue of Popular Mechanics, a report written by Jim Wilson explains how human beings may some day have capability to survive to be 180 (one hundred eighty) years old! Based on research from Massachusetts Institute of Technology(http://web.mit.edu/biology/www/facultyareas/facresearch/guarente.shtml) and Professor Leonard P. Guarante; genetic makeup that rules our individual "time-clocks" can be virtually erased. * How is this possible? Every person has DNA fragments dubbed telomeres Our telomeres are specifically designed to extend our lives. These telomeres are copied from genetic material in our chromosomes. As mitosis occurs, these telomeres pass to our newly formed cells. As we age, however, our cell information becomes illegible - similar to "...a document that is photocopied too many times..." [1] Once this happens, our cells are depleted of telomeres before our chromosomes are completely corrupted. Without telomeres, our cells no longer have vital information to reproduce themselves. Based on this research, our maximum human lifespan - theoretically - could typically range from 120 to 180 years of age IF we can instruct our genes how to tell our body to lose fat as opposed to storing it. * So what does fat content have to do with longevity? According to studies which began halfway in 20th century; yeast, worms and lab rats who sustained themselves on brink of starvation lived substantially longer than their well-nourished counterparts. Genetically tied to our personal genepools are WAT (White Adipose Tissue) cells; otherwise known as fat cells, our bodies automatically preserve fat for future unsurities. Aside from starvation ditets, Professor Guarente is optimistic that research will lead to a drug that may bind single protein (Sirt1) (which directs body's ability to store fat in WAT cells) and trick it into thinking that it needs to release fat as opposed to saving it. In this sense, we could - hypothetically speaking - have our cake and eat it too. And perhaps, live to be nearly two centuries old! The moral dilemmas of super-long, life expectancies could inevitably trigger social and economic controversies. In closing, I leave you with my own thoughts on this topic, based on a satirical analogy from MountainWings.com:
| | Making Space for Sacred SpaceWritten by Stephanie Yeh
MAKING SPACE for Sacred Space ================================================== When you read a great inspirational book, prayer, or article, don't you think to yourself, "What a great idea! I should do more daily rituals, prayer, meditation."? It always seems like a great idea, right? We know that sacred practices and sacred space bring peace, harmony, joy, and ease into our lives. Sounds like a great idea!The problem is that impulse to add more sacred activity into our lives only lasts for a few moments-then life intrudes and we forget all about it until next time we read something inspiring. So how can we really make space for sacred space in our lives? Luckily it's not as hard as you think. Check out these simple ways you can expand sacred in your life: 1) Be Simple and Consistent: Consistency in creating sacred space is much more important than quantity. Choose one sacred practice you will do every day, and do it every day. Even if you just sit and breathe for 3 minutes in silence, you'll feel benefit of those 3 minutes throughout your day. 2) Clear Out Clutter: Sacred space means actually having a space where you can be in sacred. Dedicate one area of your house to sacred by clearing out all excess junk, creating an altar or space for sacred objects there, and keeping it fresh with incense, candles, or plants. Keep area energetically clean with by smudging (get instructions by sending a blank email to cleansmudge@shamanschool.com).*
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