Ian Gawler Blog: Is this the elixir of youth?

Who would like to live longer? Who would like less risk of illness and the prospect of recovering quicker if one did become sick? Who would not?

This week we go Out on a Limb and consider the implications of groundbreaking new research that shows how all this may be possible – and tap into how we can gain the benefits, but first

Thought for the day
In just 60 seconds, there are:
• 2 million searches on Google,
• 571 new websites created
• 204 million emails sent
• Amazon sells $83,000 worth of goods.
Tell me – exactly when did the world change?

THE IMPORTANCE of TELOMERES and TELOMERASE

Telomeres are like the protective caps on the end of shoelaces that protect them from fraying. Only telomeres protect your DNA from fraying.

Short telomeres are associated with many things that can go wrong with your health right up to premature death. Shortening telomeres are also crucial in the process of aging. Delay telomere shortening, have longer telomeres, and all the evidence points to significantly better health, delayed aging, and increased longevity.

In related blogs, I have presented evidence that shows shorter telomeres are associated with an increased likelihood of developing cancer and other chronic degenerative diseases, and that for people who do develop cancer, the longer their telomeres, the less likely they are to die of cancer. (See the links below)

So clearly, looking after our telomeres, preventing them from shortening and lengthening them if possible, is crucial to our good health and a vibrant old age.

Happily the body has it’s own built in telomere protector and regenerator. Telomerase is the enzyme that does just this and evidence has been mounting that increased telomerase levels increase telomere length and reduce wear and tear on telomeres.

To date the things that have been shown to increase telomerase activity are a fairly seriously healthy lifestyle (which includes a way of eating very similar to the Wellness (or maintenance) Diet I have advocated for years and is detailed in You Can Conquer Cancer), meditation and some herbs.

On the herb front, Product B (a synergistic blend of herbs) which I researched thoroughly and began to recommend about a year ago, has recently been approved for registration by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as a therapeutic substance that provides telomere support (the only substance registered by the TGA so far for that purpose) and is a protector of liver function. For full details CLICK HERE.

Now the exciting new research

In a small pilot study, Dean Ornish, along with Australia’s own Nobel Prize winner for medicine Elizabeth Blackburn, have investigated the long-term effects of a programme of comprehensive lifestyle changes (diet, activity, stress management, and social support).

The results are compelling, showing that in this small pilot study, comprehensive lifestyle intervention, when compared with controls, was associated with increases in relative telomere length after 5 years of follow-up.

To quote directly from the research
Relative telomere length increased from baseline by a median of 0·06 telomere to single-copy gene ratio (T/S) units (IQR—0·05 to 0·11) in the lifestyle intervention group, but decreased in the control group (−0·03 T/S units, −0·05 to 0·03, difference p=0·03). 

When data from the two groups were combined, adherence to lifestyle changes was significantly associated with relative telomere length after adjustment for age and the length of follow-up (for each percentage point increase in lifestyle adherence score, T/S units increased by 0·07, 95% CI 0·02—0·12, p=0·005). 

Larger randomised controlled trials are warranted to confirm this finding.

COMMENTS

1. A major new rationale
Currently there are many ways to explain the seemingly obvious suggestion that a healthy lifestyle is good for us. However, this new research offers a whole new way of understanding how this may unfold on a cellular level.

We know longer telomeres are associated with lower risks of the chronic degenerative diseases including cancer. We know longer telomeres are associated with longer cancer survival and even a longer life span for everyone.

We have known for a while that activating the enzyme telomerase was possible through a healthy lifestyle, meditation and some herbs.

This new research suggests is the first to suggest that increasing telomerase activity does translate into longer telomeres over time. The implications for preventive medicine, recovery from the chronic degenerative diseases and for longer, vibrant lifespans are exciting indeed and this pilot study is bound to stimulate a mass of follow-up research to test these implications.

Are we seeing a benefit or a norm?
When research shows us that a healthy lifestyle is associated with longer telomeres over time compared to controls, I suspect what it is really telling us is that the controls, who are really ordinary people doing what ordinary people do these days, are knocking their telomeres around unduly.

I suspect the healthy lifestyle tells us what a normal, healthy telomere does; the controls tell us what so many in our current society are doing – eating badly, not exercising, getting stressed out – and prematurely shortening their telomeres with all the unhappy consequences that follow.

What we do not know yet is can we do better than a thoroughly healthy lifestyle. Do the herbs such as those in Product B add an extra benefit, or are they too just helping protect people with an unhealthy lifestyle and supporting them to return to normal telomere function? Time and research will tell.

What to do?
Obviously, this research provides another compelling reason to take up on a really healthy lifestyle and to meditate regularly. The research showed a “dose dependent relationship”. The more thorough you are, the greater the benefit. It is worth developing healthy habits and sticking to them.

For me, it makes sense to use herbs to support telomerase activity and by implication, to extend telomere length. I take Product B regularly and this research makes me feel even better about it.

RESOURCES
Product B: Product B is available on-line and I have created a website that details the contents of Product B, some of the research on the herbs it contains and makes ordering easy.
For details, CLICK HERE

You Can Conquer Cancer – not just for those seeking to recover from cancer, this book details what a healthy lifestyle really is and points to how we can actively prevent chronic degenerative disease including cancer.

RELATED BLOGS

DNA and the dangly bits

Telomeres, meditation and length of life

NOTICEBOARD
1. Melbourne Day seminar with Ian Gawler and Dr Nimrod Sheinman coming soon
 MIND-BODY MEDICINE in DAILY LIFE
Relaxation, meditation and creative imagery for health, business, healing and wellbeing.
A healthy lunch is included.

ii) IMAGES, WORDS and SILENCE 
Training/retreat for those interested in mind made healing – either for personal use or as a health professional.
With Dr Nimrod Sheinman, Ruth and myself in the Yarra Valley.

2. NEW ZEALAND
i) AUCKLAND
Evening Public Lecture: Medicine of the Mind.  Thursday November 14th.
Let go of stress, activate healing, maximise performance in all you do. The power of the mind at work in everyday life.

ii) Weekend workshop: A New Way of Living
Saturday November 30th: Meditation and the power of the mind
Sunday December 1st: Living Well, Being Well –
A way of living that generates good health, profound healing and log-term wellbeing.

iii) Rotorua: Health, Healing and Wellbeing – Saturday 16th November 2013
The essence of what Ian has found most helpful.

iv) Christchurch: Inner peace, Outer health. Sunday November 24th.
A free event - find peace and clarity amidst troubled times.

v) Nelson: Mind-Body Medicine in Daily Life. Evening of November 26th.
Relaxation, meditation and creative imagery for health, business, healing and wellbeing

vi) Meditation Under the Long White Cloud. December 2nd – 8th. Seven day meditation retreat – the first from Ian and Ruth in New Zealand.
Ian will detail how to deepen your understanding and experience of relaxation, mindfulness and meditation; then he and Ruth will guide you into the direct experience of inner peace.

vii) Five day follow-up cancer program.
Specifically for people who have attended a CanLive program in NZ, or Gawler Foundation program. November 18 – 22 at Wanaka out of Queenstown - one of the most beautiful environments there is. Details: CLICK HERE

NEXT WEEK - A PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY FROM MEDITATION IN THE DESERT
Here is a taster!






The evening walking meditation heads out from Hamilton Downs

The iconic Uluru or Ayers Rock,
photographed during the add-on tour










KEY REFERENCE WITH LINK

Ornish D, Lin J, Blackburn E, et al. Effect of comprehensive lifestyle changes on telomerase activity and telomere length in men with biopsy-proven low-risk prostate cancer: 5-year follow-up of a descriptive pilot study. Lancet Oncol. 17 September 2013. DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(13)70366-8.

Ian Gawler Blog: In praise of tall trees

What can we learn from a magnificent oak? A photographic essay

Consider this. Here is a one hundred year old red oak in full autumn colour. A giant of a tree with a massive canopy, and beauty for all to see.

What then if I showed you this – a diminutive object that can be cradled in the palm of your hand?








Now, if you knew nothing of botany, the science to do with plants, and I was to tell you that this thing was an acorn and all you need to do is put one of these into suitable prepared soil and nurture it appropriately and you could produce a regal oak tree, you could be forgiven for thinking I was mad.

There is a huge lesson to learn from this metaphor, but first

Thought for the Day
Untamed beings are as unlimited as space.

You will never be able to overcome them all.

Yet, if you could simply overcome the hatred in your mind, 

You will find that it is as if you have overcome them all.


How can you possibly find enough leather

To cover the earth?

But if you could just wear leather sandals,

You will find it to be as if you have covered the earth.

In the same way, you will never be able to change

All external objects.

But if you change your own mind,

There is no need to change anything else.
             Shantideva 8th century Indian, Buddhist scholar and author of the Bodhicaryavatara, A Guide             to the Bodhisattva's Way Of Life


So here is the thing. 
Knowing that an acorn will produce an oak, knowing the conditions an acorn needs to grow into an oak, gives the confidence to plant a few and support their growth:

Above on the left is a one year old baby, nestled amongst pea straw and major protection from rabbits and deer.
On the right, a three year old beginning to make its way.

Now, above we have a six year old, well able to maintain itself in the midst of a big space.
And on the right, a nine year old, beginning to look like its parent, the big tree above whose acorns produced all these youngsters.

But there is more. If on a grander scale, one did know the laws of botany, the laws that govern how plants function; how they live and grow and flourish; one could plan, plant, cultivate and sustain a beautiful garden.

In the same manner, if one did know the laws that govern how the mind functions; how the mind helps a person to live and grow and flourish; one could plan, cultivate and sustain a beautiful life.

Makes simple sense of learning more about the mind and making the time to train the mind!


RELATED BLOGS
The 2 top ways to develop mindfulness in daily life

The Mind that Changes everything

RESOURCES

Please Note: Orders from the blog have been redirected to the Gawler Foundation, but presently their on-line ordering system is being updated and is non-functional, so to order you need to ring them 03 59671730, or email info@gawler.org.

BOOK: The Mind that Changes Everything

CD: Mind Training  

NOTICEBOARD
Mind Training in Melbourne!

Melbourne Workshops –NEXT WEEKEND 

Saturday May 11th : Meditation and the Power of the Mind 
Like a mini meditation retreat. A great chance to refresh, learn some more and deepen meditation in good company.

Sunday May 12th : Living Well, Being Well
Looking after ourselves, maintaining a healthy, healing, vital lifestyle takes some doing. Come along and be reminded of what is important, learn of new research and how it applies in daily life, and be re-invigorated! Lots of new material on nutrition, epigenetics, telomere science and neuroplasticity.

Bring the family, invite a friend or two, inform your colleagues! Maybe you know someone living in Melbourne who would benefit/like to attend.

For full details and to book, LINK HERE

NEWS 
Avaaz helps to save Europe's bees!

Europe has just banned bee-killing pesticides!! Bees pollinate two thirds of all our food -- so when scientists noticed that silently, they were dying at a terrifying rate due to toxic pesticide useage, Avaaz swung in to action. This week’s victory is the result of two years of flooding ministers with messages, organizing media-grabbing protests with beekeepers, funding opinion polls and much, much more.

Mega-corporations like Bayer threw everything they had at this, but people-power, science and good governance came out on top!!  All supported big time by Avaaz. Who?

Avaaz.org is a 21-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. "Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages. Avaaz members live in every nation of the world. The Avaaz team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages.

If you want to support Avaaz and add your voice to their wide-ranging campaigns, or even start an on-line campaign yourself, go to www.avaaz.org

RESEARCH ARTICLE
More reasons to look after your telomeres!
Telomeres are protective, DNA - protein complexes at the end of our chromosomes that protect them from fraying as we age.

However, during normal ageing, the gradual loss of telomere length can contribute to our cells becoming unable to reproduce, to their early cell death, and to the formation of cancer.

As a dramatic example of this, in the fairly rare genetic disorder dyskeratosis congenita, telomere shortening is accelerated, and those affected have premature onset of many age-related diseases and early death.

This study set out to assess an association between telomere length and mortality in 143 normal unrelated people over the age of 60 years.

The study found those with shorter telomeres in blood DNA had poorer survival, attributable in part to a 3.18-fold higher mortality rate from heart disease (95% CI 1(.)36-7.45, p=0.0079), and an 8.54-fold higher mortality rate from infectious disease (1.52-47.9, p=0.015).

These results lend support to the hypothesis that telomere shortening in human beings contributes to mortality in many age-related diseases.

Cawthon RMS et al, Lancet. 2003 Feb 1;361(9355):393-5. Link to the article, CLICK HERE

Read more about telomeres and telomere support: www.herbalts.net

Ian Gawler Blog: A New Way of Living

Five new areas of research that will change our lives, and how they inform the workshops I am presenting in the next few months.

I love good research. The sort of stuff that changes the way we look at life, or what we do in life. This week let’s share 5 major breakthroughs that are changing the face of medicine and how we can look after our own health, healing and wellbeing.

It is exciting to have started to share this information in "A New Way of Living", the round of workshops I am presenting around Australia and New Zealand this year. Ruth and I look forward to being in most capital cities and some regional areas in coming months. WA is first in April, then Melbourne in May.

So here are these 5 major breakthroughs with some of their implications, along with links to the upcoming talks. But first:

Thought for the Day
Today's children may become the first generation in history 
to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents
                                                 Richard H. Carmona, United States Surgeon General

1. Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity speaks of how the brain changes not only its function, but its actual structure, depending upon how we use it.

This new knowledge is revolutionising the neuro-sciences and the field of mind training.
Neuroplasticity tells us there is way more hope for brain regeneration than was previously thought following brain trauma and strokes. It helps us to understand how habits develop and what we need to do if we plan to change them intelligently. Fabulous and really significant new information.

2. Meta-inflammation
Meta-inflammation is low level, chronic inflammation. It is fuelled by poor dietary choices and unresolved stress.

It has been known for a long time that chronic stress creates biochemical changes that weaken the immune system and lay us open to most diseases.

However, new research highlights how the modern western diet is another driving force for low level, chronic inflammation that precipitates and aggravates most chronic degenerative diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, MS and cancer.

What to do? The good news is that a healthy diet and meditation are both highly anti-inflammatory and highly regenerative. So here we have another rationale as to why a healthy lifestyle makes sense for disease prevention and rapid recovery from illness.

3. Epigenetics
This new field of study relates to how our genes express themselves in daily life.

Many people still seem to be of the mistaken view that if you have bad genes, bad things will necessarily follow. What is clear now is that genes are significantly affected by the environment they exist within – physically and mentally; maybe even spiritualy.

So good genes in a bad environment; the real prospect of poor health and illness. Bad genes in a good environment; the real prospect of good health.

The implication: genetic material is not set in concrete. Like so much in life, it is what we do with what we got that is the real issue.

4. Telomeres and Telomerase
Telomeres are the “dangly bits” on the end of our chromosomes. I have written a couple of posts on these earlier as they are of great significance. Telomeres protect the ends of our DNA from fraying as they divide and replicate within our bodies.

Recent research demonstrates a clear relationship between the length of our telomeres and the risk of developing and even of dying of many illnesses including cancer. The shorter the telomeres, the greater the risk.

Also, telomeres are directly linked to aging. Longer telomeres, more youthful. Very short telomeres, death.

Happily, the enzyme telomerase protects the telomeres and can even lengthen them, so the things that do activate telomerase are certainly worth knowing about.

5. Nutritional research
It is finally happening. For years, research into the impact of nutrition on cancer survival has been like a desert; very little there. We had plenty of clinical experience, but little research evidence.

Now there is a good body of studies pointing the way. There is certainly enough to completely dismiss the tired argument that there is no evidence to support the notion that changing your diet, eating for recovery, will affect the outcome of cancer. That is simply untrue.

And happily, as the evidence accumulates, it does reinforce the clinical experience, perhaps pointing to some things to give extra emphasis, some to minimize; but overall, adds confidence to what can be recommended and achieved.

One of the best aspects of this nutritional research is that it gives the basis and the impetus for more to follow. At last, this field of study does seem to be on the move, and I love being able to share all the new developments in this and the previous 4 fields of research.

So in the workshops I am currently presenting, I have added a section where this research is detailed and what to do about it thoroughly explained. This adds to the opportunity to have a refresher, to be reminded of what is valuable for our health, healing and wellbeing, to gather with like-minded people, to feel the benefit of meditating together and to hopefully go home a little better informed, inspired, and re-invigorated.

So when we come into your area, Ruth and I hope to meet again with those who know us, to make new friends and to spread this positive message of health, healing and wellbeing.

So help to change someone’s life. Please do share the links to the coming talks with your friends and colleagues. Come to a workshop yourself, bring the family, bring a friend, come with a colleague. Who knows, between us all, we may just help someone to find better health, a better level of wellbeing; maybe even save a life.

COMING WORKSHOPS with links to their details

Perth
April  13 – 14; Weekend workshop: A New Way of Living

Denmark
April 5; Evening dinner and conversation for health professionals
April 6; Day workshop: Creating Health & Preventing Disease

Shepparton
May 4; Day workshop: Medicine of the Mind

Melbourne
May 11 – 12; Weekend workshop: A New Way of Living

Brisbane
June 27; Evening Public Lecture: Health, Healing and Wellbeing
29 – 30; Weekend workshop: A New Way of Living

Coffs Harbour;
July 6; Day workshop: Medicine of the Mind

Katoomba
July 9; Day workshop: Health, Healing and Wellbeing

Sydney
July 13 - 14, Weekend workshop: A New Way of Living

NEWS

1. A reminder; early bird payment for Meditation in the Desert closes at the end of March. 
Meditation in the Forest starts this week and is fully booked, so reserve a place or take advantage of the cheaper rates if you want to come and pay in full now.

While in New Zealand, Ruth and I are visiting the Mana retreat centre where the New Zealand meditation retreat, Meditation Under the Long White Cloud, will be held December 2 - 8.

2. New Zealand Cancer Congress in Auckland a great success
It was a pleasure to be speaking at this Congress last weekend. Over 250 people attended, apparently over twice as many as last year, and a good indicator of the interest in a broader, more engaged and integrated way of managing cancer.

Mostly doctors and other health professionals in attendance, but some people dealing with cancer and they were all at risk of being overwhelmed with the bulk and high quality of information on offer.

A treat for me was to hear Bruce Lipton speak for the first time. Bruce gave a masterful introduction to the field of epigenetics, and certainly added to my own knowledge in this rapidly evolving field.

3. Open Meditation in SYDNEY Monday March 25th, 6.30 – 8.30pm
provided by the Australian Teachers of Meditation Association

Meditate, Network and Support Each Other. ATMA is holding another free meditation and connection evening for all members of ATMA as well as other meditation teachers and interested people including beginners. The President of ATMA, Pauline McKinnon is planning to attend.

VENUE: Awareness Institute, Suite 1/20 Clarke St, Crows Nest, Sydney
DATE: Monday 25 March 2013
TIME: 6:30-8:30pm in the Blue Room
COST: Free

4. The Gawler Foundation has a new website – check it out.
However, the on-line bookshop will not be operating for another week or two, so be patient or telephone them directly on 03 59671730.

5. As Ruth and I are leading Meditation in the Forest next week, there probably will not be a new post for 2 weeks. Enjoy the break!

Ian Gawler Blog: Poetry and downloadable Meditation

This week, another great poem to contemplate and some big news that makes Mindbody Mastery, the downloadable meditation program, even more accessible - and unbelievably cheap!

This week's Thought for the Day is the poem! It warrants reflection.

1. And now we will count to twelve . . .       Pablo Neruda

And now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still. . .

for once on the face of the earth
let's not speak in any language
let's stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.

It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.

Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.

Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.

What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
(Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.)

If we were not so singleminded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.

2. Mindbody Mastery - the full meditation program now downloadable for less than $10 per month!!! And you will receive a further 10% discount as a member of my blog when you use the Code ijg2, so less than $9. 

It is amazing how cheap things can be on the net when done in this way. I know I helped put this together, but the value for money with this program is extraordinary.

In response to clear feedback, Mindbody Mastery is now available on a monthly payment plan - at less than $10 per month. For this you get 8 initial downloads, one per week, with clear and concise instruction on how to meditate, plus an exercise each week that is complete in itself, but builds into a full meditation practise. So all the key meditations I teach are there, and you have the choice of Ruth or my voice, or an American or Indian (English) accent to listen to.

Then there are regular extra downloads to build and support your practise as well as daily emails and weekly SMS messages to encourage, support and expand your knowledge and practise of meditation. As well, there is a specific blog, monthly webinars with myself and some great quests, and you can "ask the expert" if you need individual help.

What we know after the first 8 months of the program is that people who use it are meditating regularly and finding high levels of satisfaction with their practise. It really is like going to a personal meditation class on line, but in truth, probably receiving more support in the ongoing sense.

So if you are not already using it, link here to Mindbody Mastery and take your meditation to a whole new level. Use the code ijg2 and receive the bonus 10% discount.

NEWS 

1. MEDITATION AND HEALING - TWO FULL DAY WORKSHOPS IN SYDNEY

Including all the latest research on telomeres!

Saturday, 20 October, 2012

Title: THE MIND THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING 
When: 9.30am (for 10am start) - 4pm 

Where: Veterinary Science Conference Centre, Webster Theatre, Sydney University

Sunday, 21 October, 2012

Title: HEALTH, HEALING AND WELLBEING: 
    Disease prevention, as well as the mind, meditation and nutrition. 

When: 9.30am (for 10am start) - 4pm 

Where: Veterinary Science Conference Centre, Webster Theatre, Sydney University
Bookings Essential: Call Sarah Tail 0418 22 0590 or Tina Rae (02) 4294 8361
Register on line: at www.rigpa.com.au 

On Saturday we begin by examining how the mind functions and how we can use this knowledge to best effect - how we can use the power of the mind in all areas of life. You will learn how to relax and experience a calm and clear mind, to use affirmations and imagery and to begin or to deepen meditation.

On Sunday, extend all this with more focus on healing and wellbeing. There will be heaps of practical information on what constitutes a sensible way of eating - both for good health generally and healing specifically. Then there will be more on the latest, fascinating and practical research showing how the mind can be used to generate healing and real happiness. 

Both days will be highly experiential with a good theoretical basis. There will be time for questions and relevant resources like books and CDs will be available.

While each day is intended to be useful in its own right, and so attendance for one day is possible, ideally come to both days as they build on each other and make for a complete package.