WE LOVE THE ROLLER-BLADING PENSIONER

At ELIXIR magazine we love rollerblading pensioner Geoff Dornan.

He is the fantastically fit septuggenarian who was fined by a UK court for 'endangering the public' by skating through a shopping mall.

We at ELIXIR think Mr Dornan should be given an award. At the age of 71 years he skated with respect to others, unlike others half his age. We assume the only reason he was caught because he did respect the law and stopped when he was asked.

The retired youth worker, who says regular skating keeps him fit and healthy, had now had his rollerblades confiscated by police.

The truth is that the rather large people in our community are far more of a danger. For example, how many times has a public bus braked abruptly and the huge person next to you come dangerously near to squashing the nearest passenger.

Mr Dornan, who now has a 2,075-person Facebook group devoted to him, was rollerblading in the seaside town of Southport, Merseyside and CCTV footage from a Marks and Spencer camera recorded in October 2008.

Outside court Mr Dornan said: 'In the months during which I have been unjustly deprived of my blades, I was shocked to discover how swiftly the health of someone of my age can deteriorate.
'At the time of my arrest, I was as fit as a flea, and entirely free of pain. Yet by Christmas, I found myself confined to bed with severe back trouble.'

He added: "I would never want to put anybody in danger and always adopt a good skating practice, which means nobody should ever feel threatened. I don't believe I'm a danger to anyone. This case should never have been brought to court.'

We have all seen people, mostly young men in my experience, cycling on public pavements even past policemen who take no notice. Since most policemen and women on foot appear to be overweight maybe if they were given some rollerblades they might not only get fit but also be fast enough to catch the real criminals rather than OAPs?

THYROID HORMONE DEFICIENCY, WEIGHTGAIN AND HIGH CHOLESTEROL

Recently I visited one of the leading hormone specialists in London. It is clear from the consultation that I need to make some changes to my lifestyle - mainly diet and exercise. But the best way to discover what is going on with your body is to take various tests - usually a combination of blood, urine and saliva.

So I start with a blood test to find out levels of various hormones in my body. Today I am going to focus on one of them - the thyroid hormone - this is the hormone responsible for regulating the body's metabolism amongst other things.

It appears that women are more likely to suffer a deficiency - medically known as: hypothyroidism - than men. There are various physicial symptoms - allergies, skin problems, fatigue, nervousness, gaining or losing weight, brittle nails, dry skin, constipation, infertility, mental sluggishness, depression and intolerence to cold. But since these symptoms can be associated with a catalogue of other illnesses the best way to verify this problem is by a blood test.

But there is confusion/controversy amongst medical professionals, particularly outside of anti-ageing medicine about what the exact parameters that constitutes a deficiency and what the drug treatment should be.

The thyroid gland measures just two inches across and is in the neck just below the Adam's apple. It actually secrets two hormones - mostly T4 (known as thyroxine) which converts into the active hormone (that actually used by the body) into T3 (triodothyronine). In healthy people most T4 Is converted into T3.

The regulation of the thyroid is controlled by a number of body functions - the hypothalamus, situated in the brain above the pituitary gland, triggers the pituitary to release a substance known as "thyroid stimulating hormone" (TSH). When levels of thyroid hormone reach optimum the amount of TSH decreases, conversly in people not producing enough there are higher amounts of TSH in the blood.

So when trying to determine thyroid function doctors will test for blood levels of TSH and also T4.

It should also be noted that dieting (lowering of calories) has the same effect of diminishing production of T3, which in turn lowers a person's resting metabolic weight, which can also lead to weight gain in the long term. Experts also tell me that many individuals have problem converting T4 into T3 which also leads to weight gain. This is music to my ears - can I blame my tendency to weight gain on this?

Of course its not as simple as this. A 54-year-old friend with absolutely no symptoms - no weightgain etc - was recently diagnosed by her GP as suffering from sub-clinical hypothryoidism. This simply means that the thyroid is not working 100% and may be a warning sign of further loss of function in the future. She was in disbelief and checked out her diagnosis with a private blood test which confirmed the result from her GP. She has been prescribed Levothyroxine - basically T4 - which is what most UK GPs prescribe - lets hope she doesn't have a conversion problem. This may well be because the UK Government's drug rationing body NICE may only allow doctors to prescribe this one.

Levothyroxine (thyroxine - T4) is a tiny tablet which should be taken on a empty stomach daily. Left untreated - aside from the weight gain issue - hypothyroidism can cause serious health problems including aenemia, low body temperature and heart failure.

I visit my GP and discovered that I too am sub-optimal on the thyroid hormone and get prescribed Levothyroxine, even though I point out the conversion problems. I will have a blood test to check that my body is converting this to the usable form T3.

So what are the other drug alternatives - one is Cytomel which is a synthetic form of T3 which is approved by the FDA in the US. A recent medical study showed that combining this with T4 had better results including for weightloss.

Armour Thyroid is one that contains dessicated thyroid derived from the thryoid gland of the pig but many doctors are reluctant to prescribe this, mainly because of dose inconsistency and contamination problems with its animal origins.

There are a myriad of side effects with drug thryoid hormone replacement, especially if you take other drugs particularly oestrogens, beta-blockers and anticoagulants.

Aborbtion is also impaired by iron sulfate, calcium pills and several other supplements.

So is there anything you can take naturally to help your body? The answer is yes - particularly the minerals magnesium, manganese, selenium and zinc - deficiences of these can prevent the conversion of T4 to T3.

HIGH BAD CHOLESTEROL (LDL)

In my investigations into this subject I have discovered that high levels of LDL are also indicators of poor thyroid function. I wonder if this is my problem with high LDL - despite loads of exercise and eating good fats my levels of LDL were still too high? I will see from blood tests if this is my problem after two months of thyroid replacement So perhaps doctors should try testing for this more often?

THE PROBLEM WITH CURRENT REFERENCE RANGES OF TSH

The standard range used by most labs is 0.2-5.5(mU/L), A greater TSH number than 5.5alerts the doctor to a thyroid gland problem as it is over producing TSH.

Anti-ageing doctors believe that this range is too broad and that anyone with a TSH reading of more than 2.0 should be investigated with a view to possible health problems.

I would greatly appreciate hearing expert views on this..

GROWTH HORMONE - THE JURY IS STILL OUT ON THIS ONE!

The medical controversy over Human Growth Hormone continues to rumble on.

On the one hand you have anti-ageing doctors who promote its use in advanced Hormone Replacement Therapy for ageing adults. And on the other you have the "Old fashioned" medical lobby who say its a dangerous hormone to play around with.

I personally know anti-aging doctors who take this hormone on a daily basis and prescribe it to patients. These doctors are not just in the US but also in the UK, Europe and elsewhere.

Most of them are keeping their heads below the parapit and precribe it discreetly even in London's Harley Street.

The reason for this is that Human Growth Hormone is manufactured synethetically by only three pharamaceutical companies and in most countries it only has approval as a treatment for children with severe growth problems, for some of the symptoms of AIDS and in adults with abnormally low levels - and the decline caused by ageing is not one.

Yet we still continue to hope that there will be some magical pill that can restore the physical and mental attributes of our youth.

Human Growth Hormone is made by the pituitary gland in the brain and helps build lean muscle. Like most of our hormones it declines with age - from about the age of 30.


I do know of actors and actresses and wealthy individuals who take this drug in the hope that it will turn back time...but at what cost literally? Sly Stallone pictured above working out his gymwas caught with some in his luggage while he was passing through Australian customs.

I have never taken this myself. I prefer using a combination of amino acids - Hgh is actually composed of a vast number of these - which help promote Hgh in the body. Its important to take the amino acids at the right time such as before exercise or at night when Hgh production peaks naturally.

There have not been any long-term trials of Hgh which is why everybody is so hesitant to support its use.

Dr Hau Liu, the associate chief of endocrinology and co-director of chronic care management at the Valley Medical Centre, San Jose, California was the lead author of data from randomized, controlled trials of growth hormone in healthy older adults.

In his conclusion published in the Annals of Internal Medicine last year, he concluded that there was an association between growth hormone use and slight changes in body composition, but no other important health changes.

Worryingly users of growth hormone had high rates of soft tissue swelling and joint pain, compared to people who didn't get these injections. There also was an increased risk of impaired blood sugar control or diabetes. This finding was not statistically significant, but still worrying given the epidemic of type 2 diabetes in developed countries.

Just like weightloss and getting a six-pack it looks as if there is no quick fix for turning back the clock...at least not yet

CALORIE RESTRICTION - CAN IT BUY YOU EXTRA TIME ON EARTH?

CALORIE RESTRICTION AND LONGEVITY

While those who are jumping on the cosmetic surgery bandwagon - may look younger on the outside it is only a short-term triumph.

A balanced diet and sufficient exercise are the real Holy Grail of anti-ageing! It also true to say that better living conditions and medical interventions keep a lot of people living longer than they would typically.

Whilst the nutrient reservratrol, found in red wine and grapes, seems to be the only hope so far of an anti-ageing pill, that is aside from gene and stem cell therapies which are not available for financial and ethical reasons to most of us, is there anything we can do to extend our life?

Currently, the only proven method is calorie restriction, which it is estimated will add an extra five years to life expectancy. There is the argument that living on such a diet is really not worth it for so little reward and the pain of eating virtually nothing for years on end. It is also likely the suffering and misery and subsequent depression caused by this sort of supreme effort to stay super skinny would definitely take years off anyone's life!

I suspect there is a happy medium - eating in moderation: a healthy diet that will save you from having to have a "nip and tuck" and will help you look younger and be healthier.

Scientists agree that a decent diet cuts your risk for many of the diseases of ageing, including cutting your risk of hereditary diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Eric Ravussin, a scientist at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana estimates that if you start to eat 15% less from the age of 25 you might get an extra 4.5 years. But so far this finding is restricted to mice and fruit flies and may not apply to humans!

One of the main arguments for hanging around longer is that you will still be here when drug therapies are found for Alzheimer's and cancer.

One theory on calorie restriction is that it decreases the release of one of the two thyroid hormones - triiodothyronine (T3), which then slows metabolism and tissue ageing.

As one of those who has a low metabolic rate this is extremely good news and must be the reason I look younger than most people my age! Hmm.. I discovered on a recent trip to La Prairie Clinique in Montreux that I have a very low calorie requirement - 1,200 calories a day just to same the same weight. A typical calorie restriction diet is 1,600 calories so I would need to go even lower.

It makes commonsense to eat sufficient nutrients for optimum health. You only have to look at some very thin people and long-term anorexia sufferers to see that deprivation of nutrients will prematurely age you rather than helping to keep you young. Those socalled "Social X-rays" usually have very badly lined skin...and the future health consquences of bad nutrition include osteoporosis amongst other things.

As part of my own rejuvenation regime I am going to keep my calorie intake below 1,000 a day. This is because I need to loose some pounds and want to give myself a pyschological kick-start. But I will make sure I get key nutrients.

To help me I am trying a new "diet" pill from the French company Arkopharma.I hesitate to call it a diet pill because it is not a synethetic drug (with unpleasant side effects) but a completely natural herbal remedy which is a new edition to their 4.3.2.1. detox drink. It is aimed at taking the edge of those hunger pangs that tend to sabotage your good intentions. It helps cut hunger pangs, detoxes and encourages fat burn.



I am not a great fan of supplements with strong smells - this is fairly strong - but if you take the tablet with a large glass of water it's it fine - there is no taste and no kickback. You take two tablets a day, one in the morning and one at lunch - I suspect this is because it contains herbs that may interfere with sleep if you take them too late.

There is more about 4.3.2.1. Shape Up Ultimate in my earlier blog below - but I will give you feedback on how it goes.



Another helpful diet supplement is to add fibre to meals. This helps stop any possible sugar spikes that may make you feel hungry. Metabolic Modulator is a great product containing beta glucan (porridge oats) which is virtually tasteless so great for adding to soups, smoothies etc. More info at Vitality Shop

I also find it difficult to keep to a diet if there is temptation in the fridge - so its empty! And if I do feel hungry or need something filling but nutritional I will reach for a mega nutritional shake from David Kirsch Wellness. These shakes contain everything known to help you stay on track and loose those pounds including chromium (keeps blood sugar stable) and iodine to keep the metabolism up.

I will be off to Harley Street in London again later this week to speak with a nutrition about the best way to eat for beauty, vitality and good health.

My own conclusion on calorie restriction is that it may well give you a buzz - hunger does apparently; but long-term it would be very miserable for very little gain. On the other hand I suspect changing the way we view good and diets may do the trick. Rather think of it has a beauty and health regime rather than a diet? Or are you eating an poison that is seriously damaging your body or a rejuvenating nutrient?