After the first episode all I could do was roll my eyes. You would think if your going to talk about human longevity you would start by at least explaining what is ment by longevity...is living to the average age of 80 (with half a dozen chronic diseases and taking a dozen pills and potions to aleviate symptoms and pain) longevity? Is it adding a few more years to that with ever worsening chronic disease longevity? Is improving quality of life part of longevity? Does being able to do what you want, when you want into old age longevity? Is being dirt poor and living in a lot of what we might call "third world countries" longevity? I mean there is so mamy questions that should be answered up front so we know what we are talking about.
But instead they go straight into the minutia of science, mitochondria and ATP, and genes and epigenetics, telemores, etc... all at a very cursory level but trying to show how mitochondria is semingly the most important thing in longevity. But without actually stating their point of starting with mitochondria. I love science and consider myself well versed, but I was falling asleep at this stuff. I can only imagine the average american who remembers virtually nothing of high school AP Biology or Biology 101 in college will be scratching there heads over this stuff.
Then they kept jumping back and forth in small snippets between all these different "doctors", and "experts" so the whole subject felt compeletly disjointed and non-sensical. It seemed to be lots of one or two line sentences between science fact, science hypothesis, psuedo-scienc and new-age touchy-feely BS.
Sorry but this series is going to be a disaster and waste of time. Wheres the real science?
OK so I gave it another chance and just watched the second episode and it was just more of the same crap this time again about mitochondria and the human microbiome. They really seem to be focused on mitochondria being the important point but without just coming out and saying it. There were some interesting facts given...such as 78% of the microbes reside in our gut (though they didn't define what gut is? is it the intestines or stomach or both or more?) That the gut has about 4 lbs of microbes in it on any day....thats a huge ball of microbes (and sounds kind of disgusting, lol)!
But again it was a mish-mash of science, psuedo science, and new-agey crap. I eventually gave up about half way through it. I doubt I'll watch too much more until they get to their recommendations on whatever longevity they are trying to talk about. Sorry if anyone thinks I'm being too critical but I've read many books on longevity and life extension and these folks seem to have an agenda that probably wont come out until the last episode.
If you really want to know how to extend your life or at least "squareing the curve" to make your life as healthy as possible, you can easily find this here within the writings of Dr McDougall and JeffN.
We already know that we can gain 14 quality years of life just doing 5 simple things:
1. don't smoke
2. drink modestly
3. keep a healthy BMI
4. Eat a healthy diet
5. Exercise a bit
I would go even further and say:
My 14 step program for a long healthy rewarding life
1. dont smoke or use other drugs illicitly
2. dont drink
3. keep your BMI between 18.5 and 22
4. Follow the MWL program strictly
5. Exercise moderately 30 mins to an hour, everyday and generally stay active
6. Drink clean water
7. breathe clean air
8. Get plenty of sleep, relax and meditate
9. enjoy the love of friends and family
10. follow the golden rule
11. Have and practice some faith
12. don't worry, be happy
13. Keep learning your entire life and stay curious
14. And finally, start now, don't put it off. If the science changes, then change with it as needed...(but I doubt that will be the case)
Have a great day and remember, its starts and ends with you and only you
