More Good Years

Aloha Strangers,

Yes, it seems like such a long time since we talked and I sincerely hope that you have been enjoying life to the fullest. I have. Along the road to getting on with life after cancer but still very anxious to get the results of my first-anniversary-after-surgery-colonoscopy, for the past several months I've been using a house remodel project to get my body back into shape. Construction work can be very physical, especially when you are the gopher...the helper so to speak...the sherpa...the man on the bottom of the totem pole. Man, they really take advantage of you !  So, while waiting for August 17, I literally worked my a_s off !

The colonoscopy seemed to go well, as the Michael Jackson drug gave me the best sleep in months. Wow, that could really be addicting ! Afterwards, the doctor came in and said they had found a polyp, but it didn't seemed to be anything to be concerned about. I thought about saying "yeah, doc, but it's not your a_s were talking about"...but I bit my tongue and kept silent.

As it turned out, the polyp seemed to be some inflammatory thing, caused likely by a foreign body reaction from something from my surgery. Works for me. Life goes on and I'm now back into some form of training, which we will call in ultrarunning jargon, "the back of the pack training". Several years ago, this was where I started and here I am again. Familiar territory...at the back of the pack. I got very good at it and sometimes disguised it by calling it "the trail sweep". I made sure that no one got lost or got left behind. Occasionally you made a good friend. Other times it was lonely like the Maytag repair man.

Entirely enough about me. I apologize.

There was an interesting article in (of all places) the AARP magazine...but hear me out...the material can be surprising...not earth-shattering, but pretty darn good. The current issue was titled "More Good Years", and if interested you can go to www.aarp.org/longevityquest and check out some videos. Otherwise, the article discussed a Greek by the name of Yiannis Karimalis, who, at 39, was diagnosed with terminal abdominal cancer while working as a bridge painter in the United States, and returned to his native island of Ikaria to be buried among his relatives. 39 years later, Karamilis is still alive and telling his amazing story to anyone who will listen. 

A team of researchers visited the island to see what factors led to Karamilis turn-around and also the long-life of many others on the island, and here's what they found is there fountain of youth:

GRAZE ON GREENS: More than 150 varieties of wild greens grow on Ikaria. Some have more than 10 times the level of antioxidants in red wine.

SIP HERBAL TEAS: Lower your blood pressure by steeping wild mint, chamomile or other herbs in hot water.

THROW OUT YOUR WATCH: Ikarians don't worry about time. This attitude lowers stress.

NAP DAILY: A 30 minute afternoon nap decreases the risk of heart attack.

WALK WHERE YOU'RE GOING: Here here ! Now we're talking ! The Ikarians walk everywhere and the mountainous terrain on the island provides a mini-workout.

PHONE A FRIEND: Strong social connections are proven to lower depression, mortality and even weight.

DRINK GOAT'S MILK:  It's rich in a blood-pressure-lowering hormone, tryptophan.

MAINTAIN A MEDITERRANEAN DIET: A diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, olive oil and fish has proven to make you live 6 years longer, on average.

ENJOY SOME GREEK HONEY: Their local honey contains antibacterial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Unfortunately, American honey doesn't seem to have the same effect.

OPEN THE OLIVE OIL:  'Nuff said...a great practice !

GROW YOUR OWN GARDEN:  Fruits and vegetables eaten soon after picking are higher in compounds that decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease.

GET RELIGION: My business partner in Arkansas will attest to this.

BAKE BREAD: The island's sourdough bread seems to help stave-off diabetes.

I hope you all got something from this interesting article. Again, I apologize for taking so long to visit with you.

Don

Comments

[Bob Mc.]

Great stuff Don. Glad to hear you got a clean bill of health. Interesting list of ways to be healthy and live a long life.
Aloha,
Bob

[Dan]

Don,

Great to get an update from you. I have a run already picked out for us that you will really love so if you find your way in the Norfolk area, give me a jingle. Cheers from Dan and Ginette