A Resumption

Today, on the last night of January 2025, I actually used my stretch band for the first time since arriving back from Australia in mid-January. For some reason, I just haven't felt motivated to do any exercise at all for the past couple of weeks. I've been largely sedentary and have only ventured out into the garden briefly on a couple of occasions. That's about to change hopefully. 

It's important to work in the garden as that provides a lot of exercise without noticing it. I need to resume some walking as well, especially given that the constant cloud cover makes it easier. Healthwise I feel well enough so there's no impediments to being more active. I really do need to spend less time on my laptop and phone. My weight is around 70.5 kg which is fine but I don't won't it slipping below 70 kg.

I'm still taking my Moringa and the stiffness in my fingers remains relatively mild. My right shoulder joint still pains me from time to time but it's easy to endure and usually transient. Overall I shouldn't complain about my physical condition given that I'm staring down the barrel of 76. There are many far worse off than me.

Death's Door
by William Blake

Uranus has stationed as of last night and will soon begin moving forward through Taurus toward my natal Moon. What the consequences of that conjunction in late June will be remain to be seen. Perhaps it will mark my demise, as my dream voice announced, or else I will go on. If I am to go on then I need to discover some sense of purpose because right now I feel that I've lost all momentum. I'm standing still.

It's coming up to ten years since my retirement and I've very much enjoyed the freedom to do whatever I want with my time but lately things feel different. My sense of joie de vivre has dissipated. Maybe this is what happens towards the end. Maybe it's just a passing phase. I should reread some of my old posts on this blog to gain some inspiration.

Sudden Vision Impairment

Today, 24th January 2025, I sat down at my laptop to read the Twitter feed and I couldn't focus on the text. I thought my glasses were dirty and so I cleaned them but the probably persisted. After a few minutes, normal vision returned. This was unsettling as a sudden decline in one's near vision can't be a good thing. 

Transient episodes of blurred or "grayed out" vision can be a sign of a tumour in the brain that is pressing on the optic nerve. Hopefully that's not the case. All I can do is to monitor the situation and make a note of any further vision abnormalities. I'll use this post and the site to record such observations.

Source

There's certainly some family history of such tumours. My maternal grandmother suffered from a tumour on her pituatary gland. It was removed when she was aged 66 but she wasn't the same woman after the operation. My aunty and my grandmother's youngest child suffered terrible headaches that were initially diagnosed as a mental disorder but later it was revealed that she had a malignant tumour that was affecting her brain. She died at age 37. My brother Tony suffered from an acoustic neuroma that was removed when he was 19 years old.

True Lies

 Ultra-processed plant-based meat alternative have problems it would seem:

In the first investigation of its kind, researchers from University of Surrey found that the risk of depression amongst vegetarians who consumed plant-based meat alternatives was 42 per cent higher than for those who shun both meat and plant-based substitutes. Link.

I can believe this because recently after consuming fake vegetarian sausages I've woken up on a couple of occasions feeling really depressed which is quite uncommon for me. Interestingly, depression can be caused by antibiotics:

Studies have shown that antibiotics can increase the risk of depression and anxiety, especially in males. The risk may increase with the number of courses of antibiotics taken, and may persist for years. 

Antibiotics can disrupt the intestinal flora, which can lead to mental illnesses like depression. Antibiotics can also activate glial cells in the brain, which may be associated with the onset of depression. 

Antibiotics can impact the brain-gut axis, which plays a key role in the development of depression. 

Antibiotics can have both positive and negative effects on mental health. The original antidepressants were derived from antimicrobial agents. However, as antibiotics are used more frequently, there is increasing evidence of their negative impact on mental health. Generated by Google Gemini.

In other news, I heard that biopsies to check for cancer actually cause the cancer to spread throughtout the body. Mainstream medical "experts" do not concur but then again they wouldn't would they? Who to believe? It would seem that everything that is taken for granted nowadays needs to be reassessed. Believe nothing and trust nobody.

Passing On

Last night I dreamed that I only had a few months to live. In the dream, I was looking on at myself and I took the news (delivered as a sort of announcement) rather well, I wasn't perturbed in the slightest. I just accepted it. In another dream, I was observing a swarm of meerkat-like creatures gnawing feverishly, frantically, frenetically at rock that appeared to be sandstone. They were trying to gouge out a pathway but they had taken a wrong turn. I knew where they should be headed but they themselves didn't. I tried to tell someone about the situation but to little effect.

This dream suggested some natural somatic process gone wrong but what do meerkat-like creatures gnawing feverishly at rock indicate? There's information to be had about the spirit animal significance of meerkats on this site. Here's a small quote:

One key message from Meerkat Spirit Animal is that of vigilant awareness. You need to stand up and see true. Things look much different when you elevate your perspective. Use your new point of observation for measuring and metering your actions. Meerkat also reminds you to remain ever watchful. Standing guard is an honor in the Animal Kingdom and among humans.

Of course in the dream they were burrowing and not standing guard. The dream was disturbing in that the creatures were so totally and frantically involved in their activity. It came at a time when I'd begun to do more regular strengthening exercises in an effort to tone my body and perhaps build a little more muscle.

Prior to the dream I'd been feeling quite spritely but following it I've been lethargic. The day before the dream I woke up feeling quite depressed which is unusual for me. I wondered what had triggered it but couldn't come up with an explanation, although physical impairment like cancer, thyroid disease, vitamin deficiencies, and infections can trigger depression.

I'll monitor my dreams more closer to see if there are any more clues to be had. I am feeling quite flat at the moment with little interest in the outside world. I noticed that the transiting north node of the Moon was conjunct my natal Mercury but this wouldn't seem to account for my low mood. Apart from that, transiting Uranus is slowly grinding to a halt and will station in early February at a sensitive spot in my chart.

POSTSCRIPT

Last night (30th December 2025) I had the most awful dream that I can't even bear to write down but I'm hardly likely to forget it. It certainly had to do with death and dying.

Another Tooth Extraction

It was only in June of this year (2024) that I wrote about my tooth troubles and then my tooth extraction. Here we are again. Tooth trouble started around the 23rd November, yes that fateful day, and got progressively worse until I felt compelled to see a dentist yesterday (the 25th November) who put me on antibiotics and scheduled a tooth extraction by another dentist today at 6pm.

The tooth being extracted is the same molar that has bedevilled me for years after it was subjected to a botched root canal in Jakarta. I don't know what bought this current infection on. There's always been a low grade infection at that site but maybe my immune system is weakening and can't keep it under control. 

Saturn ground to a halt in 12º42' of Pisces on November 16th and so it is still in a close semi-sextile with my natal Sun. This planet rules the skeletal system including the teeth so I'm apprehensive about its effect on me when it passes over my Aries planets in the twelfth house. This transit may have precipated the attack.

I'll report back on the aftermath of the tooth extraction.

Oscillatory Exercises

It really is time to get serious about my health. I've made 139 posts on my mathematical blog as of the 18th November this year which is about 12 posts per month. By contrast I've made 19 posts to this blog so far in 2024 which is equivalent to about 1.5 posts per month. I need to experiment with different exercise regimes and nutritional supplements and see which ones stick.

Advice from old people is especially valuable obviously and a case in point is the concept of oscillatory exercises promoted by some silly old bald bastard like myself with a YouTube channel called I AM LONGEVITY. 

In a video titled Oscillatory Exercises: How To Keep Your Muscles, Joints, Tendons, And Ligaments Young, he says the following:

In this video, I discuss a novel exercise training method called "Oscillatory Training." 

Oscillatory training involves rapid, small-range movements where muscles contract and relax quickly. This type of training enhances neuromuscular performance, strength, power, and coordination by accelerating the relaxation of antagonistic muscles and improving force production. The exercises often involve pulsing actions that engage muscles continuously, promoting improved muscle engagement and athleticism.

In addition,  this type of training protects and strengthens ligaments, tendons, joints, and muscles. And helps them work as a team when needed. 

Furthermore, this specialized training helps recruit and active all the motor units, including the slow and fast, and their corresponding muscle fibers, including Type 2a and Type 2x fast-twitch muscle fibers.

I also show you some sample exercises you can incorporate into your regimen. Oscillatory Training is a primary reason I have good mobility, balance, coordination, and much more, even in my 60s.

Enjoy the video!!!!

As he explains in his video, the idea of oscillatory exercises involves quick movement within a narrow range and does not involve full stretching. I like the idea and just have to develop some ways to incorporate it into an exercise session without overdoing it and injuring myself. This activity is more in keeping with real life movement rather than say slow stretching exercises where is strive to increase our range of motion. In oscillatory exercises, the range is deliberately restricted and quick repetitions are carried out.

Turmeric, Ashwagantha Root and Maca Root

I watch Dr. Suneel Dhand on YouTube and he recently uploaded a video about the benefits of Turmeric (link) as an anti-inflammatory. Before viewing this, I'd also noted that it had been added the Moringa capsules that I'd recently purchased off Amazon. See my post on Moringa Leaf.

Here is what Gemini had to say about Turmeric:

The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. It's a polyphenol compound that gives turmeric its vibrant yellow color and is responsible for most of its medicinal properties. 

Benefits of Curcumin:

Anti-inflammatory: Curcumin has potent anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation associated with various conditions like arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Antioxidant: It acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can contribute to aging and chronic diseases.

May Improve Brain Function: Some studies suggest that curcumin may improve cognitive function and memory, particularly in older adults. It may also have potential benefits for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions

May Aid in Digestion: Turmeric has been traditionally used to support digestion and may help relieve symptoms of digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

May Boost Heart Health: Curcumin may help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. It may also have blood-thinning properties, but more research is needed to confirm these effects.

Source

I was curious to find out the health benefits of the other ingredients in the capsules. So what is Ashwagandha root?

Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng, is an ancient medicinal herb with several potential health benefits. Here are some of the key benefits:   

Stress and Anxiety Reduction: Ashwagandha is often referred to as an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress. Studies suggest it can significantly reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall mood and well-being.   

Improved Sleep Quality: Ashwagandha may help regulate sleep patterns, leading to improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia.   

Enhanced Cognitive Function: Some research indicates that ashwagandha may improve cognitive function, including memory, attention, and reaction time.   

Boosted Immune System: Ashwagandha may help strengthen the immune system, making the body more resistant to infections and illnesses.   

Increased Testosterone Levels: In men, ashwagandha may help increase testosterone levels, leading to improved sexual function and muscle strength.   

Reduced Inflammation: Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions like arthritis.   

Source

What about Maca root?

Maca root, also known as Peruvian ginseng, is a traditional Peruvian medicinal plant with several potential health benefits. Here are some of the key benefits:   

Improved Sexual Health: Maca root is often used to boost libido and sexual desire in both men and women. It may also help improve fertility in men by increasing sperm count and motility.   

Hormone Balance: Maca root may help balance hormones, particularly in women going through menopause. It can help alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.   

Increased Energy Levels: Maca root is believed to boost energy levels and reduce fatigue. It may be helpful for athletes and individuals with low energy levels.   

Enhanced Mood: Some studies suggest that maca root may improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.   

Improved Fertility: Maca root may enhance fertility in both men and women by improving sperm quality and egg health.