Human beings are blessed with the ability to see into the future. Although our vision is far from clear, it allows us to predict certain things based upon historical precedent, including the facts that we are all growing older, that our risk of dying increases as we age, and that we will die within 100 years or so unless we gain control over the process by which we age.
The awareness of our mortality is one of the underlying causes of the fear, insecurity, and feelings of helplessness that plague so many of us throughout our lives. However, it also provides the motivation that drives us to achieve long-term goals, including the desire to conquer aging and death. For life-extension activists, a clear-headed appreciation of our impending death is inescapable. We can't escape it because we're doing everything we can to overcome it.
What's it like to face impending death every day?
That's a question that burns with great intensity in the consciousness of the leaders of the Foundation, and has great influence over our actions. It also influences the thoughts and actions of the scientists and physicians who conduct research funded by the Foundation (and other sources), and put into clinical practice the findings of life-extension researchers. In order to maximize their chances of extending our lives, Foundation personnel are working seven days a week, 365 days a year pursuing research to help produce major breakthroughs in life extension.
One life-extension scientist who is working around-the-clock to help us live longer is Greg Fahy, Ph.D., a cryobiologist and anti-aging researcher, who works at 21st Century Medicine's laboratories in Southern California, where efforts are underway to achieve suspended animation, to reverse aging, and to extend the limits of resuscitation.
One of Greg's avocations is keeping close tabs on the latest advances in anti-aging research. He attended the IBC Conference on Age-Related Diseases: Exploiting Mechanisms for Drug Development, in Las Vegas, where scientists from companies engaged in anti-aging research presented their latest findings.
In this issue of Life Extension magazine, we feature part one of Greg's two-part report on this conference. Because of Greg's insider knowledge of anti-aging research and meticulous note-taking, you'll enjoy the most in-depth exploration of how industry is attacking aging.
It takes more than hard work to bring you benefits. The Foundation has now committed more than $2 million a year to fund the kind of research needed to give us a realistic chance of eliminating human suffering, disease and death.
This includes our plans to develop a radical new Life Extension Medical Center to offer treatments based on advanced science rather than politics. The latest report on these efforts is also in this issue.
Unlike other non-profit organizations, which constantly solicit their members for donations, we offer our members concrete health and longevity benefits in the form of advanced, pharmaceutical-grade dietary supplements at discount prices. We then use the proceeds from the sale of these supplements to fund the most aggressive life-extension research program in the world.
Please review the supplements you are currently taking. Compare the price and quality with what we have to offer. Then consider the research we support with the money you send us for these products. I think you'll agree that your best bet-in terms of your future prospects-is to buy all your supplements through the Foundation. There's no better way of improving your health and supporting research to extend your life span!
IN A MAJOR VICTORY for health freedom, the government of the United Kingdom announced that it would not restrict the sale of vitamin B6 products in strengths greater than 10 mg. The matter has been referred to the newly appointed Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals, which will be given the task of assessing in the U.K. the safety of all vitamin and mineral supplements and, if appropriate, recommending upper limits. The Expert Group is expected to take 18 months to two years to complete this task.
The Life Extension Foundation has been active in urging its members in the United Kingdom to lobby and write letters to derail this intended restriction.
Observers from the health food industry and the complementary medicine movement have been appointed to the Expert Group, for the first time in U.K. history. However, according to Linda Lazarides of the Society for the Promotion of Nutritional Therapy, the group is not satisfied with mere observer status. With the backing of the House of Commons Agriculture Committee, Linda notes that she has commenced lobbying for the appointment of the group's own experts as full, decision-making members of the Expert Group.
Together with Linda, we are delighted with the success of the U.K. vitamin B6 campaign, which has taken many long volunteer hours to inspire the writing of some 100,000 letters of protest from the public to members of Parliament. This success comes as the result of hard efforts by many people and organizations, both in the U.K. and internationally.
Saul Kent, President
Life Extension Foundation
