HEALTH AND HAPPINESS FOR A LONGER LIFE

AuthorHouse

Contents

Preface............................................................................xiLife is the Victory Prize..........................................................1The Biological Limit of Life.......................................................3Longevity Depends on a Healthy and Happy Life......................................6Analysis of Lifestyle..............................................................8Analysis of the State of Health....................................................11Knowing, Liking, and Caring for the Body...........................................14Taking Care of the Body............................................................18Basic Care for a Healthy Body......................................................21Exercise: An Indispensable Factor for Those who Value the Body.....................29Do Idleness and Inactivity Speed up the Aging Process?.............................31Does Exercising Help Maintain Youth?...............................................34The Importance of Exercise For Health and Physical Vigor...........................37Concepts of Health and Vitality....................................................39Nutrition: Fountain of Life, Health, and Energy....................................42Energy Depends on Adequate Food and Physical Activity..............................45Vitamins: Health and Balance For the Metabolism....................................47An Adequate Diet...................................................................49A Controlled Diet..................................................................52My Nutritional Program.............................................................55The Consequences of Nervous Tension................................................58Worry, Anxiety and Depression: Poison for Health...................................61Ill Humor: Agent of Early Aging....................................................65Youth: Phase or State of the Individual Spirit?....................................68An Undisciplined Life Accelerates Aging............................................71Avoidable Vices Damage the Body....................................................74Results of an Undisciplined Life...................................................77Ten Principles for Prolonging Youth and Life.......................................81Conditions for a Peaceful, Healthy, and Long Life..................................83A Harmonious, Healthy, and Happy Life..............................................87Is It Possible to Live a Serene and Pleasant Old Age?..............................94Personal Judgment at Life's End....................................................97Commentaries.......................................................................101About the Author...................................................................105

Chapter One

The formation of the human being, at the beginning of its life in its mother's womb, is something that transcends human intelligence. It can be considered a supernatural phenomenon, for it is a divine gift that all human beings had the privilege of receiving one day, according to the will of the Creator of the Universe.

The story of a human life has its beginning at that moment, when two seeds, attracted by a supernatural force, consummate the ritual of conception.

My story, since the day that my biological self began formation, is the same as all human beings. We were generated in the same way, and have the same similarities, both physical and emotional.

If this is true, why then do we not equally enjoy lives of abundant health, peace, joy, and happiness? Why is it that so many people are unable to achieve the peace and happiness to which we all have a right? My objective in narrating my story from the beginning is that, before I finish, all who read it will be able to open their minds to a new reality, and to see the light that signals the straight path to a healthy and happy life. My story, since its beginning, is the fantastic story of every human being.

A very long time ago – I don't remember when or where – I heard the voice of a great power saying to me, "You are going on a fantastic journey, where you will live incredible experiences in a land of wonders. There you will have every imaginable chance to enjoy a pleasurable life, as well as the opportunity to achieve another prize; that is, to live in yet another place called Paradise. But in order to go on this trip, you will have to compete in a big race, and there will be just one victor. Those who do not pass the finish line will not win the great prize."

Suddenly I heard something like an explosion, and there I was, running, running, running ... All around me beings similar to myself were running desperately, trying to pass me. Several times many were able to. Time accelerated and my strength began to wane. The groans of the competitors were deafening, and it was clear that there were millions of us.

Motivated by an ardent desire to go on this great journey, and aware that if I did not win, I would not live, a mysterious force pushed me onwards. And when I thought that I could go no further, there I was, nearing the finish line, the mark that would be the beginning of the great journey. I strained forward with all of my strength, until I broke through ... I was embraced by something that received me warmly. It was my mother's egg. My soul quaked and my voice rang out, "I did it! I won! I am the champion!"

In this state of spirit, overcome by exhaustion, I don't remember whether I fainted or whether I slept. When I came back to consciousness, something extraordinary was happening. My body was being transformed. I could see my little feet forming into shapes, as well as the fingers on my hands. I rubbed my face and could sense that a great transformation had occurred in my body.

Time passed and I observed that my body continued being transformed, growing. Then at a certain point I saw a great brightness, and strange and huge beings all around me. I looked at my body and perceived that I looked like them.

I was afraid, and I remember that I cried a lot. Someone said, "It's a boy!", and everyone was smiling with joy. The miracle of life was consummated. The one whose egg had received me took me in her arms, and, smiling, said gently, "My dear son, welcome to life! Congratulations, Champion! You're the best, you're the victor! You are a victor at birth! I promise that I will do everything possible to make this fantastic voyage, called life, sublime and victorious until the end, until the day that the Creator calls you to give you the crown of glory."

This is a fictitious story about the beginning of life. But I am sure that it is not imaginary: I was, indeed, born a victor! Each one of us human beings is born a victor, for among millions of sperms we were the ones who won the race, had the great privilege of being conceived, and won the grand victory prize, called LIFE.

Chapter Two

Many researchers have proven that the human being is biologically able to live 120 years of age. And if it is possible to reach such an age, we could conclude, as well, that it should be probable that we reach at least 70 to 90% of this period with good health and vitality.

This means that, according to logic, we could easily arrive at the age of 80, 90, or even pass the age of 100 with healthy bodies. Reality, however, has shown that it isn't that simple, and proof of this is the very small number of people who reach the age of 90. Studies made by specialists show that there are various factors that contribute towards a person's being able to reach or surpass these age limits. Among them are having perfect health and a happy life.

For quite a long period of time I collected obituaries from a certain widely circulated newspaper, and discovered that the average age of death of older persons was between 70 and 80 years of age.

Although this data does not reflect scientifically attained statistical reality, it does show that most adults, upon reaching 50% of their biological potential (i.e. the age of 60), are already in a state of degenerative health, and therefore die prematurely.

The research that I have done over the years shows that the majority of people begin to present signs of aging in their 40's, and quite a few people even earlier. It is during this age range that the most common signs begin to appear: wrinkles, flaccidity of the skin and muscles, baldness, graying hair, weight gain, degenerative diseases such as circulatory, glandular, and hormonal disturbances, bone, hearing, and vision deficiencies, and the loss of vitality.

From the time I was a young teenager, I thought that youth - as it is one of the most beautiful and important phases in relation to physical appearance, health, energy, and vitality - should be longer. Youth begins in adolescence and lasts until about the age of 25 to 27, which is when, according to specialists, one's total physical structure is complete. It can last a few more years for some people, depending on their genetic makeup and other factors.

It was at this time in my youth that I began to try to think of a formula that would prolong youthful vitality. The reason for this is that my parents had a large number of siblings, and I, consequently, had a large number of cousins. I observed as these cousins grew and passed the age of 17, 19, 21 years of age, and older.

I noticed that from the age of 17 to 25, they had attractive bodies, and youthful beauty was evident in every aspect. The physical appearance of many of them, however, after passing the age of 25, began to change, due to weight gain and premature hair loss. Still others developed internal disturbances and illnesses. Others lost their sense of humor and joy, factors which, to a certain extent, dull joviality.

Observing these changes and transformations, I began to analyze the factors that make people seem older, and I developed an interest in learning about the human body, so that I could discover the factors that contribute towards maintaining youth, and those that accelerate the aging process.

After many years of observation, study, and research, and after understanding that the body is a complexity of matter, soul, and spirit, I came to the conclusion that any method, to be effective, must follow rules for the physical (body), the mental and emotional (soul), and the spiritual (spirit).

I believe that a person will only feel complete and fulfilled upon adequate nourishing of the physical body (with good and healthy things), the mind (with good and positive things), and the spirit (with divine attributes).

Based on my own personal experience, I can affirm that it is possible to retard the signs of aging and to live middle age (40 to 60 years of age) in perfect health, and with the same energy and vigor of the golden phase of youth, and that this is also possible after passing the age of 60.

The basic rules and methods that I have adopted are no great secrets, and can be practiced by anyone, regardless of their sex or age. It is logical, however, that the earlier one begins to practice such rules, the better the results will be in his future.

One of the great ills of humanity is that we tend to want to live for the intensity of the moment, with no regard for the consequences in the future. Therefore anything seems valid, even if the actions practiced are harmful to the body.

The same benefits that I have enjoyed as a result of meticulously following a correct lifestyle and life philosophy, which have brought positive results, can certainly be enjoyed by any person who is willing to do the same. For this, changes in mentality and behavior are necessary, and this will only be possible for those who truly value their lives and make living a better existence in this passing life a goal. All of us human beings are graced with the free will to choose that which will make our destinies sweet or sour, throughout the duration of, as well as at the end of, our individual stories.

To live well, to have a happy and healthy life, to prolong youth and life, depend exclusively upon each one of us. Any human being can enjoy an abundance of health, peace, joy, and happiness. All it takes is the use of good sense, and the good use of the free will that is given us by the Creator.

Chapter Three

To live a healthy and happy life is the desire of every normal human being. And to prolong youth and life is also one of the main desires of the large majority of adults. This is evidenced by the fact that health and longevity are subjects that are widely addressed by the media. I believe that never before has there been such discussion about how to conserve health and youth as in our days. Science and Medicine have presented many theories as to the causes of the aging process. And, also thanks to Science and Medicine, today man has the hope of prolonging youth and increasing his life expectancy, as has been the case in many countries.

On the other hand, Science is alarmed at the growing number of premature deaths in recent decades, and at the diversity of illnesses that have contributed towards the decrease of life expectancy.

After studying and researching for years about the factors that contribute towards the retarding and the speeding up of the biological aging process, I was able to develop a methodology that made it possible for me to pass the age of 60, and yet conserve the same physical characteristics of when I was 25. That is, the same weight, minimal hair loss, healthy and wrinkle-free skin, firm muscles, and strong bones. Besides this, I also enjoy perfect health, excellent vitality and energy, and the appearance of someone 20 years my junior.

How many people have been able to surpass the age of 60, while conserving all of the physical characteristics of youth? I am sure that the number is very small. However, as this is a biological possibility, it should be a normal fact for the majority.

On my research spreadsheet, I have the names of dozens of relatives, friends, and acquaintances, with whom I maintain constant contact so that I can observe the physical and internal alterations which occur over time. I can confidently say that up until the present date I have never met anyone in my age bracket who has kept all the characteristics of their youth, and those who enjoy perfect health are very rare.

Those who maintained the same weight and hair had aged skin and gray hair. Those who had preserved their hair, skin, and youthful facial appearance, faced problems with their weight. The majority presented various diseases, such as hypertension, rheumatism, arthritis, diabetes, high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, vascular insufficiency, organic, glandular, hormonal and nervous disturbances, accentuated loss of vitality, and other problems that affect health, contribute to the degeneration of the body, and anticipate aging.

In analyzing the opinions of specialists and researchers concerning the factors that contribute to the acceleration of the aging process, I discovered that the most frequently mentioned were: an erroneous life style, poor eating habits, a sedentary and undisciplined life, harmful vices, nervous system disturbances, stress, and inevitable diseases.

Based on my own studies and personal experience, I can affirm that the factors which bring about premature aging are numerous, and are related to individual behavior and LIFESTYLE. The factors that most contribute towards slowing down the aging process are: special care of the body, a diet that is balanced and rigorously controlled, regular physical exercise, a positive mind frame, emotional balance, self-control, mental exercise, and the cultivation of the spiritual man.

It was upon these factors that I based the method which I have meticulously followed, in order to live a healthy and happy life, and to reach the age I have, still maintaining youthfulness. If I had not adopted and followed a correct methodology since my youth, I am absolutely certain that today I would present a totally different state of health and physical appearance, and would appear much older than I do. That is, if I were even alive, for before deciding to radically change my way of living, I lived in a totally undisciplined manner.

Chapter Four

Our lifestyle is related to our manner of living, and to all that we do and feel throughout each 24-hour period. The factors related to lifestyle that most influence our state of health are: the air we breathe, the water we drink, the foods we consume, our levels of stress, our physical activity, and our emotional state.

Any well informed person knows that, in our day, the air that we breathe cannot be considered of good quality, especially in the larger urban centers, where there is a large concentration of industry, vehicles, and smokers, which are the greatest contributors towards environmental pollution. There are cities and regions where the air that we breathe contains a high percentage of pollutants, soot, and toxic gases, highly harmful to the human organism and health.

Air – rather, the oxygen in the air we breathe, the primary element for sustaining human life - depends upon trees, plants, and forests. Scientists have shown that the solution for reverting the "greenhouse effect," which has been provoked by global warming, ever increasing in recent decades, is to plant millions of trees.

I cannot but manifest my indignation at the lack of conscience of the people who disregard and devalue nature. I find it tremendously absurd when I see someone destroying plant and animal life to substitute it with concrete, in simple carelessness. These people need to know that they are contributing towards the increase of air pollution, and the deterioration of the quality and purity of the oxygen that they themselves breathe, which will sooner or later influence their state of health and the period of time they will spend in this world.

Any well informed person is aware that the majority of the rivers that run through our cities have waters that are polluted and contaminated by chemical substances, heavy metals, and fecal coliforms, which are highly harmful to the human organism and health.

In the same manner that I am indignant concerning people's disregard for nature, by not concerning themselves about the deterioration of the quality of our air, I am also indignant concerning the lack of concern of those who pollute our sources of drinking water. Once I heard a phrase used by a group of ecologists: "If you don't love nature, leave her alone, for one day she will seek revenge!"

Another item that is, each passing day, becoming a greater and greater risk for the health of the world population is our diet. The industrialization of food is good in the sense that it makes life easier and provides more convenience. On the other hand, industrialized foods generally come with the addition of chemical additives such as preservatives, artificial coloring, flavoring, and other chemical substances, which, if consumed frequently and constantly, result in the accumulation of toxins in the organism. These toxins will most likely cause harm, and generate disturbances that will gradually provoke imbalance in the operational systems of the organism, which can lead to diverse illnesses for the body.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from HEALTH AND HAPPINESS FOR A LONGER LIFEby Tadeu Godoy Copyright © 2011 by Tadeu Godoy. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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