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Letter: Thin and holy

Published 22 April 2000

From Jim Penman

The theory that semi-starved humans live longer
(25 March, p 21) has been
tested and falsified. For thousands of years, religious ascetics have done
exactly this, and few lived beyond the normal human lifespan.

The evidence is particularly convincing since the details of their lives were
closely documented by people hungry for miracles. Cure blindness and raise the
dead, certainly. But live to 150? No way.

The best recipe is to cut out smoking and combine regular exercise with a
sensible diet and low stress. You should make it into your eighties.

jimp@sme.com.au

Issue no. 2235 published 22 April 2000

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