I recently saw a programme about human ageing which declared that the ageing process is down to oxygen particles which are unable to leave the body after respiration. These "free radicals" cause what is essentially oxygen poisoning of the body's cells which weakens the rate at which they can regenerate. If from childhood, breathing exercises were introduced perhaps with the addition of meditation at a later age, the number of times you breathe in and out could be controlled with practise so as to decrease the rate at which these free radicals enter the body and increase the length of your life. I reckon this is why Chinese monks, for example often live for over 100 years. Frankly people, we are breathing too much for our own good.
-- brewmaster, Apr 08 2002

effects of oxygen http://www.e-antioxidant.net/
[brewmaster, Apr 08 2002, last modified Oct 21 2004]

free radical info http://www.kcweb.co...rb/healthnews_4.htm
[brewmaster, Apr 08 2002, last modified Oct 21 2004]

I don't really fancy adopting the monastic lifestyle just to be able to live the monastic lifestyle for longer. The kung fu would be cool, though.
-- calum, Apr 08 2002


Take, eat this croissant, it is my body, do so inhalation of free (radicals)
-- thumbwax, Apr 08 2002


I think your program(me) was incorrect. Look up telomeres.
-- waugsqueke, Apr 08 2002


Telomeres could well hold the key to ageing control in the future but oxidant stress could still be managed in order to preserve cells and improve health.
-- brewmaster, Apr 08 2002


That damn breathing. I have often thought it overrated. I guess this is why smokers live to such advanced ages.
-- bristolz, Apr 08 2002


Both the Queen Mother and my maternal grandmother lived to be 101. Does this mean either that we should all live on a regime enriched with moderate amounts of sherry or that these grannies were actually old age ninjas working for a hidden master?
-- Aristotle, Apr 08 2002


Maybe the Chinese Munks live to be 100 because they never leave the monastary
-- ishotpac, Apr 09 2002


Some article once claimed that all the different groups of vertebrates take roughly the same number of breaths in their life (I think it was 200 million). The mice just breathe much faster than the elephants, so they run out of breaths earlier. Everybody should get breathing and meditation classes early in life.
-- herilane, Apr 09 2002


Theory: Support the contention that people with one lung removed live longer than would otherwise be the case.
-- reensure, Apr 09 2002


And the American chipMunks die early beause they run all around the place.
-- neelandan, Apr 10 2002


[herilane] I've heard that about the number of heartbeats in a lifetime.

I read a book recently called Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins in which the main characters stay alive for an indefinite period by shallow breathing, regular sex, and bathing in cold water three times a day. That was just fictional though.
-- stupop, Apr 11 2002


I think programmers have a finite number of keystrokes in 'em.  Maybe people who play the piano do as w...
-- bristolz, Apr 11 2002


I thought James Bond did away with the Free Radicals in Never Say Never Again. Oh, well. I guess all those "I'll hold my breath till I turn blue" threats were just an unconcious attempt at prolonging life.

So, employing logic, I have deduced that the less I breathe now, the more I will breathe in the future, right? I'm such a smart-aleck. That should read the "smarter" I breathe now. Bring on the breathing lessons! I can schedule them right in between the thinking lessons and the walking-while-chewing-gum lessons.

I think the most serious threat to life is to stop breathing ; )
-- Canuck, Apr 12 2002


"Heartbeat Lessons" - coming soon.
-- neelandan, Apr 12 2002


Teach yourself breathing: Home learning audio kit.

"Breathe in.......Breathe out......Breathe in..........Breathe out........keep going now, that's it! You should feel the air moving into and out of your lungs...."
-- stupop, Apr 12 2002


//I read a book recently called Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins in which the main characters stay alive for an indefinite period by shallow breathing, regular sex, and bathing in cold water three times a day.//

From my experience, it is very tough to do the first of those items while you are doing the second. But maybe that is just me.
-- GenYus, Dec 04 2003



random, halfbakery