A Polymeal a Day Keeps the Grim Reaper at Bay

[Eroica]

How to live longer: a Polymeal a day (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1375610,00.html)

[A Thousand Pardons]

How to live longer: a Polymeal a day (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1375610,00.html)
From the link:
Last year the British Medical Journal ran a paper advocating the "Polypill" - combining aspirin, folic acid and cholesterol-lowering and blood-pressure drugs - for everybody over 55.


The Polymeal has no serious side-effects, they say, in contrast to the Polypill.
a polypill would kill me, luckily I'm not 55

[Candy]

However, they add: "We do not recommend taking the Polymeal before a romantic rendezvous, unless the partner also complies with the Polymeal."
:-k

[Candy]

...luckily I'm not 55
Judging from your photo, I would say you're 45. :wink:

[beskeptical]

...luckily I'm not 55
Judging from your photo, I would say you're 45. :wink:What photo? Where?

[Candy]

...luckily I'm not 55
Judging from your photo, I would say you're 45. :wink:What photo? Where?
I may have found the handsome ATP after googling many times. :-$

[sarongsong]

...A daily intake of 100g of dark chocolate...
=D>

[Ut]

100g? Oh man, that's two bars worth. Where do I sign?

[N C More]

You know, there may be something to this. I love fish (lots of choices here in New England), have alway eaten fruits and veggies, like things heavy on the garlic and insist upon eating Doves dark chocolate (ok, I also drink wine, but only a little!). Anyway, I'm 53 and have normal cholesterol, good blood pressure and besides being a tad chubby (hey, how many of us are supermodel thin?) am in pretty good shape. Oh, I also exercise that probably helps as well. I intend to try to avoid medication for as long as possible. My Mom is 80 and does take meds for her blood pressure but only needed them after she turned 70! This is one dietary theory that may just have some truth to it.

[Maha Vailo]

Sounds like an ineresting thing to do. I'd like to adopt such a diet. Do they have any suggested recipes for such a polymeal? How much might it cost for me (per day) to follow all this (my biggest worry is cost)?

Edited to add: The biggest problem for me would be the wine. How much is 150 mL? Is that too much to knock back in one gulp?

- Maha (currently has a 170-gram bar of Hershey's Special Dark on her lap) Vailo

[Eroica]

... How much might it cost for me (per day) to follow all this (my biggest worry is cost)?
£25 Sterling per week was the figure quoted on SKY News, when they reported the story! :o

Edited to add: The biggest problem for me would be the wine. How much is 150 mL? Is that too much to knock back in one gulp?
150 ml is little more than a mouthful.

[A Thousand Pardons]

Edited to add: The biggest problem for me would be the wine. How much is 150 mL? Is that too much to knock back in one gulp?
150 ml is little more than a mouthful.
Google says 150 milliliters = 5.07210338 US fluid ounces, so 5/8 of a cup.

[HerrProfessorDoktor]

I've heard dark beer has similar health benefits to dark chocolate (as well as red wine), such as flavonoids (antioxidants), vitamin B and a few other nice things.

I wonder how many Guinnesses a day could substitute for those components. (Not that I would want to place a limit. :wink:)

[Maha Vailo]

... How much might it cost for me (per day) to follow all this (my biggest worry is cost)?
£25 Sterling per week was the figure quoted on SKY News, when they reported the story! :o

And that translates to how many $ American? I only get so much per week, so it may be too expensive. Also, my parents won't let me get wine or any other potent potable. Do I have to have it in there, or can I substitute something else?

- Maha (but it's only a little at a time, Dad!) Vailo

[Candy]

- Maha (but it's only a little at a time, Dad!) Vailo
Hey, did you move? 8-[

[Eroica]

Here's the actual paper:

The Polymeal: a more natural, safer, and probably tastier (than the Polypill) strategy to reduce cardiovascular disease by more than 75% (http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/329/7480/1447?ehom)

[Eroica]

And that translates to how many $ American? I only get so much per week, so it may be too expensive. Also, my parents won't let me get wine or any other potent potable. Do I have to have it in there, or can I substitute something else?
Costs and precautions: Although the exact price of the Polymeal is unknown and will be country specific, it could be expected to be similar to or perhaps higher than that of the Polypill. By checking a local supermarket in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, we estimated a total price for the Polymeal of €21.60 (£15.20; $28.10) a week (€3.50 for the wine, €6.23 for fruit and vegetables, €2.80 for almonds, €4.34 for dark chocolate, €0.14 for garlic, and €4.60 for fish). Although we do not recommend particular brands, spending more—for example, on your favourite bottle of wine or brand of chocolate—might also be rewarded by an improved quality of life.

I'm still not sure how serious we're supposed to be taking all this!

[HerrProfessorDoktor]

Well, I don't see any advice in this that would be bad for you. The prices do seem a bit low because they're based on their recommended portion sizes (and I frankly refuse to be limited when garlic consumption is involved).

And, as someone who enjoys cooking and good cuisine, I will say that spending a bit more on your preferred brands does provide a beneficial psychological effect. Quality is something you can taste.

It looks to me to be healthy in any case. And, though I'm under the age of 30, I still eat a meal like this every few days because I'm a heavy smoker, and I assume the surplus of antioxidants will only do me good (though I know that's not an excuse...).

[HerrProfessorDoktor]

Also, my parents won't let me get wine or any other potent potable. Do I have to have it in there, or can I substitute something else?

You're supposed to be able to substitute red grape juice. Maybe slightly more, since wine is more concentrated.

Cranberry juice might also do the trick, or pomegranate juice. They're advertising that Pom stuff around here a lot lately. Though it is expensive, it is tasty, and seems rather potent on the nutritional end.