Resveratrol, Longevity, and Living Life to It's Fullest!

Recently a close friend of mine asked me why I was so focused on "living longer" and not on the "now." I thought to myself this person must not get me because I am just as interested in my life "as I live it" as I am at prolonging it.

After a deeper thought process I became more aware of how people perceived me versus how I perceived myself.  While I am much less concerned about what people think of me compared to how I feel about myself, it is nice for those who are close to you to be able to understand who you really are. This level of understanding is what builds a strong relationship.

So I decided to write out my thoughts regarding what I am interested in from a longevity standpoint, as well as, in my current life.

Longevity to me is important perhaps for selfish reasons.  I want to live longer so I can be around my family and friends longer.  I want to see what the world will be like in 50, 75, or 100 years from now.  I want to be here to experience what many call the "Singularity."

Singularity is often described as the point by which technology is at such an advanced level that we are able to make ourselves live nearly forever.  Diseases can be cured, physical limitations can be cured, and computers advance to the point of true artificial intelligence.

If you think how far we have come in the past 50 years from a technological stand point, it is only a matter of time until technology, both electronic and medical based, will be able to sustain life indefinitely.  I want to be here for that moment, and I want to be healthy enough to enjoy getting there.

Of course, the problem with wanting to be here for the point of Singularity is we don't know when it will occur.  Many well respected theorists think it will occur in the next 50 years.  I hope they are right.

As for living in the "Now" I am focused on being happy.  Happiness to me is feeling good about myself, enjoying my family, and being healthy while I do it.  So I practice a healthy lifestyle by eating well, working out regularly, and taking vitamins and supplements like resveratrol.

I have spoken in the past about having a balance in your life.  I don't think taking anything to it's extreme is healthy.  Eat well, but not so well you don't get to enjoy the little delights that are out there.  Workout regularly, but not every day so that it becomes boring and feels like a chore.

I am certain that by following these guidelines in my life I have become a much more well rounded person.  Feeling healthy, living in the now, and preparing for the future is a balance that works.

What works for you?  What balance keeps you happy?

Live Longer,

Markus

Comments

[Jerry]

Hi Markus-
I'm enjoying your blog and plan to get the micro revgen capsules you use. will give it a shot as I am mid 40's and feeling it more every day. am just getting over an ACL tear in my knee and feel old lately.
re: the Singularity--it is coming but what I'm thinking is, how can we accommodate all the humans that will live forever? It's impossible. If no one dies, we swell to 10 20 billion mouths.
It seems a nightmare scenario.
Am I missing something?

[Markus]

Hi Jerry,

I hope all works out well for you with the resveratrol. As for the Singularity comment you made I can only agree with you that it seems like a "nightmare" scenario. How do we accommodate population growth? I have this fear it will be done by evaluating the value of one's life... I can only hope this does not become the case.

[Kim Covington]

I just purchased RevGenetics 1000mg 99% capsules. My question? Those things are HUGE!! Can I open them and take either dissolving in my mouth or with a "shake" with whey protein? thanks, Kim in Boston

[Renae]

Hi Markus,
In one of your posts you mentioned having a sensitive stomach and found it best to take a product that's at least 98% Resveratrol. I also read about the powder form -- does that one meet the 98% requirement? Also, have you tried the RezMelts? Do you know if they are good for those with sensitive stomachs? Thanks for your info. Renae.

[JLL]

I have been asked that same question, and I also feel as if these people have not really thought about what's wrong with their question.

Luckily, life extensionsists are not alone. For example, according to a survey, 74% of Brazilians would prefer to stay young forever. That's good news. See here for a discussion of the results:

http://inhumanexperiment.blogspot.com/2009/07/who-wants-to-live-forever.html

I disagree with the part about extremities being bad, however... I think it completely depends on the case. Is extreme happiness bad, for example? Or extreme longevity? Or the extreme opposite of evil?

[Markus]

Hi Renae,
I have found that a higher purity resveratrol supplement is easier on my stomach so I stick with 98% or better. Powder forms are typically much more cost effective than capsules and you can get it in 98-99% purity levels which is great for mixing into health shakes.

I have not tried the RezMelts yet so I cannot really comment on the product. It seems like they are going after the Buccal delivery method which takes in the resveratrol through the mucosa membranes in your mouth.

[Markus]

Hi Kim,

I don't see why you couldn't open the resveratrol capsule and put it into a shake. Actually, many people say taking resveratrol with whey protein helps the body to better absorb it. Give it a shot and let us know how you make out.