Eat, fast and a black eye

8 August 2012

Earlier today we sat and watched a Horizon show that we recorded the other night, Eat, Fast and Live Longer.  The title says what the show was about.  The presenter went off to the States to meet a number of academics who are working on the idea that by reducing the amount of food we eat the longer we are likely to live.  If you missed it, please try to catch it on catch-up TV. 

The Indian gent who at the age of 101 who ran the London Marathon this year was presented.  At that age he wasn't going to be able to run properly of course but who cares, even walking the 26 miles is more than I can do at 40 years younger.   Not only that be he has no illnesses so therefore take no medication.  The questions is asked, "How does he do it?"  His reply was that he didn't eat much at all, just child portions when he does eat.  Whatever his secret there will be many viewers will want to know it. 

Reducing protein in our diet is one key factor it seems.  Protein causes an excess of a growth chemical.  By reducing the protein you force the body into 'repair mode' rather than 'growth mode'.  The presenter had his growth hormone level checked before going the States and it was found to be 28, not really bad but higher than it should be.  While he was in the States he went on a 3 day fast.  The result was that the same hormone was tested again and it had fallen considerably. 

In another study being conducted he looked at the idea was to eat normally for five days and have two fast days each week.  That also produced good result When he reached home he tried the second program for five weeks and his GP wife was very impressed with his results.  It's not a weight loss program as such but he did lose lb during those five weeks. 

It all sounds too good to be true, to lose weight and still eat what you want.  Do you remember a few years ago when Kellogg brought out the Kellogg Challenge or something along that line?  The idea that was to replace one meal a day with a second bowel of cereals.  OK, so it was meant to mean that you ate Kellogg cereals but we tried it and used Asda bran flakes and Wheetabix - and yes, it did work for us.  

The worry for me about this knew idea is that there are likely to be a lot of people who will rush themselves into doing it and having it backfire on them.  You are advised to see your GP before starting it.  I'm one of them to be honest; I am tempted to go for it.  I already have Type 2 diabetes and see my GP over that fairly regular so I'll see him then about it but I will try it straight away.

So then, a photo ... 

That's a slice of coffee cake - and it was very nice indeed.

And today's funny ...

Three men were sitting together bragging how they had given their new
wives duties. The first man had married a woman from Albania. He bragged that he had told his wife she was to do all the washing up, laundry, dusting and
cleaning in the house. He said that this would take a couple of days. On the third day he came home to a clean house, and the dishes were all washed and put away, the laundry too had been done.

The second man had married a woman from Korea. He bragged that he had  given his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, washing up and the cooking. He told them that the first day he did not see any results, but the next day it was better. By the third day, his house was clean, the dishes were done, and he had a huge dinner on the table.

The third man married a girl from Britain. He boasted that he told his wife that her duties were to keep the house clean, the dishes washed, the lawn mowed, the laundry washed, and hot meals on the table for every meal. He said that on the first day he did not see anything, the second day he still did not see anything, but by the third day most of the swelling had gone down and he could see a little out of his left eye.