Seventy years ago, when the Social Security Administration was developed during the
Great Depression, age 62 was recognized as average life expectancy. These days, getting older is a whole different ball game. Not only are people living well into their 80s and 90s, they're living better, too. People well into retirement are mountain biking, kayaking, jogging and hiking, as well as gardening, golfing and attending concerts-sometimes for their first time. Everybody, it seems, is on the go, from the ages of 22 to 92.

Of course, you don't have to wait until retirement to start planning for a longer, more vibrant life. The best way to ensure happier and longer years ahead is to start young.
Nobody wants to spend retirement in the doctor's waiting room or have their golden years intruded upon with illnesses or infirmities. And, most importantly, we don't want to feel 80 years old even though our driver's license says we are.1

These desires and demands are not just wishful thinking. Huge advances in the understanding of how men and women age are being made almost daily. These findings are helping to improve our chances of living long, healthy lives. And, some of the most impressive findings have shown that using nutritional supplements can help-in particular, a specially formulated papaya preparation is able to fight two of the primary reasons we get old-oxidative stress and immune system decline.2-6

This issue of Ask the Doctor is going to share the anti-aging secrets hidden in the papaya and how this tropical fruit may hold the key to a long, vibrant life.

Q. Why papaya? What does papaya have that other fruits and vegetables don't?
A. Not many American moms put a papaya in their kids' lunch boxes and papaya pie has yet to gain a following. But this tangy tasting fruit is now appearing fairly frequently in the produce departments of most grocery stores and its popularity seems to steadily increase each year.

The papaya's bright orange flesh is fairly fibrous and very slippery - slicing a peeled papaya is a little like slicing a bar of wet soap. The core is filled with little black seeds that look a lot like caviar. And while eating a papaya will give you a day's worth of vitamins A and C as well as potassium taking Fermented Papaya Preparation (or FPP) might just give you an additional 30 years of healthy vibrant life.6-8

Q. What exactly is Fermented Papaya Preparation (FPP)?
A. It's a specialized nutritional supplement. Backed by more than 30 studies to date, FPP has been used in Japan for decades.6,7,9-15 It's also an extremely popular supplement in France and other parts of Europe.6 FPP begins with fresh, ripe papayas that are slowly fermented by a natural process that takes several months to complete. The fermented papaya is then dried and ground into a fine powder. This phytonutrient-rich powder can then be sprinkled in the mouth, dissolved, and swallowed.6,7

Q. How was FPP developed?
A. Japanese scientists noticed that indivi- duals with higher amounts of papaya in
their diets experienced certain health benefits.

Researchers who study aging decided to look at the papaya's chemistry to see if it might have properties that could contribute to longevity. Several plant chemicals in the papaya showed promise. And when they combined papaya with specific yeasts and traditional Japanese fermentation techniques, FPP was born. This unique substance was then subjected to scientific studies to see its health impact, they determined that FPP is a superior antioxidant, a powerful immune-booster, and one of Japan's secrets to a long healthy life.6,7,9-15

Q. How does FPP help people live longer and healthier?
A. While getting older is an indisputable fact of life, aging, per se, is not. We can't do much about our annual birth- days and we really shouldn't even if we could. Every age is a cause for celebration and every life experience, both the difficult and the sublime, should be treasured.

However, we don't have to accept the consequences of aging that can make a mockery of the "Golden Years" heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, and cancer. Our parents and grandparents and the generations that preceded them might have had little say in how they aged. But we can. We can slow down the harmful effects of aging and FPP can help by reducing oxidative stress and immune system decline.

Additionally, fighting oxidative stress helps people retain their youthful appearance longer. Oxidative damage is the number one factor in facial aging.

Q. What exactly does oxidative stress mean and what does it have to do with aging?
A. One theory of aging is that harmful molecules called free radicals wreak havoc in our cells. Many of our body's normal metabolic processes produce free radicals. For example, free radicals are a normal by-product in the production of ATP (the energy molecule) from glucose. Certain types of white blood cells destroy invading microbes by the production of free radicals. Free radicals are also formed by the many normal enzymatic actions that take place every minute every day.16

However, outside sources can also cause free radical formation, as well. If we are
exposed to pollutants in the environment, chemicals, additives, and preservatives in the food we eat, or even direct sunlight, excess production of free radicals can occur, causing profound damage. This free radical frenzy is called oxidative stress, and is linked to almost every disease of aging including arthritis, heart disease, cataracts, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and cancer.16 In fact, the reason why these are called diseases of aging is because the longer we are alive, the longer we are subjected to these free radi- cal assaults.

Q. How does FPP affect the decline of our immune systems as we age?
A. Our immune systems consist of specialized tissues, organs, and cells, including several different kinds of white blood cells. Each type of white blood cell works in specific ways to keep us healthy and free of disease. They not only stand guard -on the alert for invaders-they can fight and eradicate microbes, too.28-30

However, as we age, our white blood cells become less efficient in keeping viruses and bacteria from infecting us. They often mistake invaders for good guys, like nutrients. As they age, white blood cells may recognize foreign invaders, but be too tired to fight and let them in.30,31 This age-associated immune decline also results in single cancer cells being able to “take hold” and grow into tumors. By the time the white blood cells realize their mistake, the cancer is a widespread disease.28 That's why older members of society have more urinary tract infections, more pneumonia, more cases of bacterial meningitis, tuberculosis, herpes zoster, and much more cancer than younger adults do. Moreover, mortality rates for these diseases are often 2-3 times higher among older adults than younger people with the same disease.5,28

FPP steps in and takes charge. One kind of white blood cell, the macrophage
"eats" and digests bacteria, viral parti- cles, and free radical fragments. Research has shown that FPP helps macrophages work faster and ingest more disease- causing microbes.30,31 Scientists have also discovered that FPP increases the production of a chemical protein called interleukin that's secreted by macrophages. Interleukin plays an important part in wound healing and keeping minor infections from becoming major infections.32

Another important immune system cell is the natural killer (NK) cell, a white blood cell that is continually on the prowl for cancer cells. As the immune system ages, NK cells have trouble “see- ing” cancer cells. Researchers have dis- covered that FPP boosts the activity of NK cells. Increased NK cell activity can result in the increased killing of cancer cells as well as cells infected by viruses.30,31

Q. How does FPP help protect us from free radical damage?
A. FPP contains unique and powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radical damage. Antioxidants do this by donating an extra electron to the free radical without becoming frenzied or worked up into a free radical themselves. Although the antioxidant has donated an electron, it has a more stable
"personality" and is less reactive. This action stops the domino effect and ongoing free-radial damage.17-21

If you consider your body a temple, think of free radicals as stealing bricks from your temple's foundation. FPP acts not only as policeman, but as a builder as well. It doesn't just stop the theft of bricks, it helps create new ones, keeping the foundation strong and young.22-27

FPP does this by affecting superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase
(GPX), the very genetic pathways that eliminate free radicals from the system. FPP
is more than an antioxidant-it doesn't turn into a pro-oxidant if you happen to take a large dose the way standard antioxidants can. Consider it an "antioxidant plus.";22-27

Since aging is largely determined by how well our bodies can fight oxidative dam- age, using FPP can slow down the clock as it bolsters natural abilities with its own potent neutralizing activities.

Q. What else does science say about FPP?
A. As the subject of over 30 clinical studies, FPP has been shown to inhibit dangerous hydroxyl free radicals. In addition, it is also being considered for its immuno-protective effects.

Researchers and medical professionals have been studying FPP for years, tracking its effect on the immune system and aging. In fact, no less a person- age then Dr. Luc Montagnier, co-discover of HIV 1 & 2 virus, has been conducting research on this natural immune booster.

Dr. Montagnier recommends using FPP as part of a tri-therapy (including antibiotics) that reduces the prolifera- tion of the virus and stimulates the immune system.33 Since FPP has antioxidant and immuno-stimulative properties, it seems like an obvious
choice for a combined approach to com- bating AIDS. Because of the higher free radical production in stage II of HIV infection, Montagnier believes that reducing this oxidative stress at the ear- liest stage of HIV infection may be a key factor.34
In HIV-infected patients, the glutathione system is depressed even at the early stages. As part of a combination treat- ment, FPP increased the numbers of CF4 lymphocytes, helped with weight gain and increased hemoglobin levels.34,35

One scientific study showed the ability of FPP to inhibit dangerous hydroxyl and hydroxyl-like free radicals, while enhancing the production of protective superoxide.27 Other research by Dr. Lester Packer, a professor of Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Southern California Schoolof Pharmacy, shows FPP to have natural iron chelating effects and prevents lipid peroxidation.36,37

And, in one randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, patients with cirrhosis of the liver were given FPP or a placebo. The results showed that 81.2% of the patients survived in the FPP group compared to 38.5% of participants in the placebo group.38

These studies, and many others like it, show that FPP can neutralize the effects of oxidative stress on disease states as well as slowing the normal aging process.

Q. So if we can prevent oxidative dam- age to our cells AND prevent decline in our immune systems, how much longer can we expect to live?
A. Most theories of aging and almost all researchers who study aging claim there IS a limit to how long the human body can remain viable.39 However, the oldest age achieved so far was 128 by a woman named Ma Pampo who lived in the Dominican Republic. Other notable old- sters include Jeanne Louise Calment of France, who lived to be 121; Elena Slough, of Trenton New Jersey who lived for 114 years and 113-year old Mary Dorothy Christian who lived and died in San Pablo, California.1

Right now, Japanese women have the longest life span of any country in the world, with an average life expectancy of 85.93 years. Japanese men live an aver- age 78.87 years. Japan also has more centenarians - people living to age 100 and beyond - than any other country as well. There is no reason why the rest of the world, the USA included, can't achieve these average life expectancies and, hopefully, even surpass them.1

Q. Is FPP safe?
A. Yes, it is. Many health-conscious people in Japan and Europe have used FPP for many years as an anti-aging product without any side effects.6

Q. What is the recommended dosage level of FPP?
A. Dosages of FPP vary depending on individual needs and usage. For basic anti-aging support, 3 grams per day is fine. For additional support, up to 9 grams per day is recommended. To add a boost to your immune system when you need it, start out with 6-9 grams a day for the first 2-3 days (at the beginning of a cold, for example) and then move back down to 3 grams per day.

For individuals looking for optimum immune support, Dr. Montagnier advises morning and evening doses, preferably on an empty stomach.35

Conclusion

As America's Baby Boomers turn 65, they are living proof that the milestone is no longer the herald of old age. It's just one more stepping stone from where we've been-to where we are-and on to where we want to go. Using Fermented Papaya Preparation, we can feel younger, look younger and live younge-to a very old age.

Oxidative Stress- It Happens Every Day

What causes oxidative stress? Just about everything! The very act of being alive means that free radicals roam through our bodies, wearing down vital systems. A few of the other culprits include:

• Smoking
• Exercise
• Alcohol
• Pollution

Each of these factors alone or in any combination greatly contributes to the oxidative stress in our systems. The best way to deal with the damage free radi- cals inflict is to limit their traffic as much as possible.

To check your level of oxidative stress, take the following quiz:

Oxidative Stress Questionnaire

Lifestyle

1) Do you smoke?
a. I don't smoke and am not exposed to second-hand smoke
b. I don't smoke but am exposed to second-hand smoke
c. I smoke up to 1 pack per day
d. I smoke more than 1 but less than 2 packs per day
e. I smoke more than 2 packs per day

2) How much alcohol do you consume?
a. I don't drink
b. I drink a little (l-3 servings per week)
c. I drink occasionally (4-7 servings per week)
d. I drink frequently (8-12 servings per week)
e. I drink excessively (more than 12 servings per week)

3) How often are you exposed to the sun.
a. Never
b. Sometimes
c. Frequently
d. Very Frequently

4) Do you color your hair?
a. Never
b. Rarely
c. Often
d. Frequently

5) Do you dry clean your clothes?
a. Never
b. Rarely
c. Often
d. Frequently

6) How often do you exercise?
a. Never
b. Rarely
c. Occasionally (1 time per week)
d. Regularly (2-3 times per week)
e. Frequently (more than 4 times per week)

Eating Habits

7) Type of oven you own
a. Electric oven
b. Wood-burning oven
c. Gas oven

8) Do you use a microwave oven?
a. No
b. Yes

9) What type of water do you drink?
a. Only bottled water
b. Some bottled water, some tap water
c. Primarily tap water

10) Do you eat organic foods?
a. Very often
b. Often
c. Rarely
d. Never

11) Do you eat processed foods?
a. Never
b. Rarely
c. Often
d. Frequently

12) Do you eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day?
a. Very often
b. Often
c. Rarely
d. Never

13) Do you take nutritional supplements?
a. Every day
b. Sometimes
c. Rarely
d. Never

Living conditions

14) Where do you live?
a. In the country (isolated area)
b. In a small town (500-1,000 inhabitants)
c. In a town (1,000-20,000 inhabitants)
d. In a small city (20,000-200,000 inhabitants)
e. In a big city (more than 200,000 inhabitants)

Household product consumption

15) Do you use detergents (at least once a week)?
a. No
b. Yes

16) Do you use air fresheners (at least once a week)?
a. No
b. Yes

Work Environment

17) What is your exposure to harmful chemical substances (toxic products, paint…)
a. Very slight
b. Slight
c. Average
d. High
e. Very high

18) What is the level of stress in your job?
a. Slight
b. Average
c. High
d. Very high

Age

19) How old are you?
a. Under 30
b. 30-40
c. 41-55
d. 56-65
e. 65+

Health

20) Do you have allergic tendencies?
a. No
b. Yes

21) Are you prone to infections or illness?
a. Never
b. Sometimes (once to twice a year)
c. Often (three to six times a year)
d. Very often (more than six times a year)

Calculation

Number of a = X 0 =
Number of b = X 1 =
Number of c = X 2 =
Number of d = X 3 =
Number of e = X 4 =
-------------------------------------
Total :

Results :

Under 20:
Low risk for oxidative stress.

Between 20 and 30:
Moderate risk for oxidative stress. You should consider modifying your environment and/or habits and consider treatment options for oxidative stress.

More than 30:
High risk for oxidative stress. You should begin modifying your environ ment and habits. You should begin treatment for oxidative stress.

This survey can be used to evaluate your oxidative stress level, but it should not replace proper diagnosis and treatment by your doctor, who can give you proper directions in order to avoid oxidative stress.

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