Yi-Po Anthony Wu, MD, M.P.H.
Medical Director and founder of PCMC

• Western medical training at National Taiwan University, Worcester City Hospital, University of Massachusetts Medical Center
• Masters degree in Public Health, University of Hawaii
• Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
• Acupuncture training in Taiwan and at New York University
• Director of Pacific Pain Clinic 1988-93
• Director of Pacific Complementary Medicine Center since 1999
  

Greetings! Spring is upon us. It reminds us of the natural cycles. In the last issue of our newsletter we have dealt with the life cycle of women and hormone replacement therapy. In men, the change is more subtle. Even though each individual is unique, certain unversals underlying aging apply to both sexes and across all ethnic groups.

As the baby boomers come to full maturity, they cannot help being concerned with the aging process and wishing for prolonged youth. What kind of advice can I give? It is important that we consider the key factors to good health and long life. It appears that family genes are important. A simple and structured life is important. A sensible diet, healthy relationships and freedom from stress are all important.

Two longitudinal studies conducted at Harvard University and at the Mayo Clinic point to the conclusion that well and happy people tend to live longer. The emotional picture, social and family stability and avoidance of smoking, drinking and weight gain constitute what is considered as well and happy.

So aging has lot to do with our state of mind: what we think, where we go, what we do and how long we want to live. In addition, everything we put into our mouths, everything we inhale and everything we touch may affect our lives. That includes the preservatives in our food, the medicine we take and the chemicals we introduce into our own environment. Yes, we live in a flawed society. We talk about the ideal, but we still have to live in this imperfect world. We need to make informed lifestyle decisions for our own health and well-being.

To assist you in your quest for rejuvenation, our free Spring Health Seminars this year presents topics including beauty and fitness, cardiovascular rejuvenation, mental rejuvenation, metabolic rejuvenation and cancer prevention. Much practical advice will be offered by our speakers and practitioners. Please see schedule under "Seminars".

In this issue we have featured four of my patients who are well and happy and over 90 years of age. We ask Beth Luna, Don and Thelma Haskin, and Mrs. Yip nee Lau Wai Tak, to share their secrets for longevity. We have much to learn from their life experience. I am sure you will enjoy reading their stories.

 In Peace & Health,

          Yi-Po Anthony Wu, MD

A Recipe for Aging Well ~
An interview with Beth Luna

 

Q. I understand you are approaching your 90th birthday. Have you always been careful about the way you live?

A. I have tasted of life in most of its forbidden aspects, such as alcohol and cigarettes. Drugs passed me by or I would have tested them too. I was raised a vegetarian and shifted to meat at the age of 19. After 30 years of this diet, I discontinued it. Coffee seemed essential for a long time, until my body said: No More.

Q. What made you want to change?

A. It was a gradual change. I couldn't be nice to anyone until I had my first cup of coffee. At that time I was drinking 5 cups to get me through the day. I was gaining weight from the sweet rolls and doughnuts that went with the coffee. I was tense and had a dull ache at the back of my head. I feared that I had become addicted to coffee. So I quit. As I was approaching 60, I set all these experiences aside as being complete. I turned my attention to health, by attending health seminars, listening to herbalists, doing an in-depth studies through reading, research, and experimentation.

Q. Are you content with your life?

A. I have a good marriage. I have a regular lunch date with my husband everyday. We prepare meals together and we give each other space and respect. I have 2 children, 8 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. I am grateful that my mind is alert, and my body is agile. I go on outings with the Sierra Club and am an anti-war demonstrator of the Peace and Justice Network. I write for the Connections newspaper and I also work with troubled youth through the Youth Accountability Board.

Q. How do you live now?

A. Through my efforts, there has evolved a life pattern: We have a simple way of life that includes a diet of tofu, natural sweets such as fruit, whole grains, green vegetables and no salt. I have increased my intake of calcium and vitamins D and E. I average 7 hours of sleep and a rest break after lunch. I take no medication. I am learning Qi Gong as an essential exercise. Presently, I am adding deep breathing and meditation to balance and stabilize. I have one asset: the gift of the good genes my parents gave me. My body suffered through its earlier mal-treatment. Now I try to honor it with respect. Dr. Wu recently gave me a complete checkup, including blood tests, and I am in the normal range throughout. He suggested acupuncture as being valuable, so I have added this to my program. I have learned to listen to my body and obey.

Grow Old With Me

Don and Thelma Haskin, ages 95 and 91 respectively, were born and raised in Stockton, CA. They have been married for 68 years and are in reasonably good health. One might ask: To what do they attribute reaching such an age, having a successful, lasting relationship, and avoid spending time in a rest home? They both said that good genes might be a factor. Her hobbies are cross-stitching and crocheting. She used to make all her own clothing. He is a mechanic by trade and his hobbies are aviation and building model planes. His other hobby is adding improvements to the house, such as a workshop, a patio and cabinetry and he reads.

As to health, they see Dr. Wu regularly. They live simply. Don says Thelma is a "darn good cook" and he eats everything as long as it is not broccoli or carrots. While cooking, Thelma holds back on the salt. They have a daily ritual of saving The Record newspaper until evening when they will read it as they sip bourbon mixed with diet soda. Thelma says that it relaxes them and prevents irregularities. At any indication of constipation, they eat prunes. They have never used tobacco.

The one tragedy in their lives was losing their only child, a son, to cancer. He was 50 when he died and they admit he did not lead a healthy lifestyle. Their nephews and nieces, from both sides of the family, help make up for their loss, visiting them several times a week. It is a close-knit family.

Don and Thelma Haskin have been blessed with good genes and have had a stable, lasting marriage. They have maintained a good diet, and never smoked. When they lost their son, they supported and helped each other to ease the pain. Don said he loves Thelma very much and they are content to be with each other. All of these aspects contributed to graceful aging.

THE WAY OF LIFE - NURTURING

Mrs. Wai T. Lau Yip - Age 93

Mrs. Yip, age 93, is an active volunteer at the Chinese Senior Citizens Center, known as Jene Wah. There, she helps contribute to the welfare of others. She lives a very disciplined life - early to bed, early to rise. She goes "to work" at Jene Wah even on her daughter's day off (her daughter is the director at Jene Wah). She maintains her good health, good looks and good posture by consciously watching her diet. She snacks all day in small quantities - no cookies, no candies, however, she does like ice cream.

She is also an expert in preparing detoxifying soups. She has been preparing and consuming them regularly for more than half a century. Her skin is smooth and her face almost wrinkle free. Mrs. Yip does not exercise in the manner we are accustomed to. She has a massage chair, which she uses 3 times a day to massage the Foot-greater yang-bladder channel (zu taiyang pangguang jing), which is connected to all the vital organs. She also uses a foot vibrator. This allows the Qi energy to circulate throughout her entire body, thus eliminating blockage and pain.

Even though her husband died at a young age, Mrs. Yip was able to lead a centered, peaceful life with the help of her religious faith. Her daughter, Esther, comments that the volunteer work at Jene Wah also gives her mother purpose and satisfaction. This may be her secret to long life.

The Tomato Warrior

Ever think of tomatoes as a "pharmaceutical" food? Tomatoes are among the National Cancer Institute's top "line of defense" foods, in the company of carrots and broccoli. The power factor in tomatoes is lycopene which is a potent antioxidant in the blood stream. As it circulates throughout the body, it protects the DNA in cells from oxidation by scavenging free radicals and quenching singlet oxygen.

Lycopene-rich vegetables and fruits like tomatoes are known to provide protection for men from cancer of the prostate gland. Decreased lycopene concentrations in serum or tissue are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Epidemiological studies suggest that the risk of prostate cancer is decreased in men who consume four or more weekly servings of fresh tomatoes or tomato products. Interestingly enough, lycopene is better absorbed from tomato products, such as tomato paste, than from fresh tomatoes.

Lycopene also acts as a cancer preventive for the pancreas. For women, it reduces the risk of cervix cancer. Red peppers and pink grapefruit also contain lycopene, but to a lesser degree. Lycopene is the pigment that gives tomatoes their red color. The richer the color, the higher the lycopene content.

Basically there are no side effects and worry about over dosage with lycopene. People typically use 5 to 10 mg. of lycopene daily. One can ingest lycopene in the form of tomato juice, paste, or supplements to restore the lycopene levels. One cup of tomato juice contains 23 mg. of lycopene. When it is sold as soft gels, each capsule contains only 10 mg. In my opinion, there is no need to wait for fancy labels that command a higher price. Just eat your tomato and your body will bless you for it.