The funny thing about money is it is not very nutritious. In which case, we could say we need a fortune, or, maybe health is never about money; rather it is about eating and drinking what is beneficial. This does not mean that gorging ourselves will do us any good, as studies conducted on rats have demonstrated less is more and more means less.
The conclusion (published in October 2007 issue of Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences) is that rats live longer when they are not sated with food and drink. This is purely on a physical level and has nothing to do with the rats’ emotive behavior, psychological well-being or intellectual prowess. While is true according to researchers that in the laboratory rats have demonstrated better memories than guinea pigs, this does not necessarily mean they are capable of thinking about food and thereby surviving on fresh air and the thought of nutrition alone.
Breatharians believe that the life force is in the breath and this alone is sufficient for humans to survive, or any living creature for that matter. Try telling this to a ravenous tiger or crocodile. Personally, I would rather take my chances in a pond of hippos, even if they are known to kill more humans in Africa than their more voracious crocodilian companions. The reality is investigations have shown that breatharian claims are fraudulent, while those that have attempted to prove that merely breathing and basking in sunlight is sufficient for live have died before their time.
Fasting has its merits. However, it is better to limit intake of carbohydrates when being sedentary, while ensuring sufficient protein, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and unpolluted water are consumed for optimum health.
Yogis, who claim all manner of miraculous abilities, are not always keen to go under the microscope. Nevertheless, a couple of decades ago, I read of one yogi having demonstrated his ability to keep his pulse at one beat a minute. The authorities thought he was dead and it was only when he was about to be buried, did he arouse from his seemingly lifeless state. Rising from an inactive state of slumber is not exactly the same as from rising from the dead. Every morning most of us arise from our sleep regardless of how many beats our heart misses in its effort to pulsate and make a record for every minute. Rising from our sleep would have to be a critical element in longevity.
Ensuring that the body has sufficient protein and cofactors to ensure optimal molecular function at the cellular level is the most essential criterion for good health and a long life—for my money, the yogi can keep his still heart caper to himself, even if there might be merit in feigning death.
Essentially, rats have demonstrated that longevity is dependent more upon a protein rich diet rather than a carbohydrate rich diet. Such a diet needs to be moderate, and the less we eat, as opposed to bigger is better when it comes to items like hamburgers and fries, the longer we can expect to live. The other proviso would be sufficient exercise to ensure physiological equilibrium of our body parts could also play a significant part in maintaining a well-oiled body, so to speak. Actually, one could say—with a little tongue in cheek—fatty acids provide the good oil needed for smooth function of the joints, and other moving parts.
Health is never about money, but about what we eat, how we eat, what we think, and how we deal with other people. Money is just a means by which we can be induced into thinking we can eat, drink and be merry, while lying on our couch before an idiot box for ever and a day. That is, prior to our last breath, wherein like an idiot for ever, we inhabit a wooden oblong box for good, or unless we decide to go out with a blaze of glory on the local pyre (bonfire) or crematorium. Such is the fate of humankind, where the maxim from the English Common Book of Prayer is forever heard ringing in our ears: ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Personally, I would rather be healthier, wealthier and wise. Wouldn’t YOU?
Surely, there has to be more!
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