#How Not to Die

[thesunandmoondreams]

So I've been thinking, what do you guys think fighting means to the fighters of lookism, How To Fight, Study Group, Loser Life, Money and The World, Questism, etc. Basically, the fighters of Bluestring YLAB and other Series.

I personally think that they do love fighting, obviously for some not the gang wars and loss but it's obvious that a lot of them do enjoy the fighting. Even some who at first didn't like it, did end up enjoying it or at least respecting it. What do you guys think?

[mobiusmobiles]

it is less of a burden to be called during a crisis than to mourn

[doinbetter]

if anyone uses the daily dozen here, i jus realized that miso soup counts as a serving of beans. literally the best news ive heard all week

[lastoneout]

I just love it when video games let you do really stupid shit that kills you immediately. I love being like "oh this is a terrible idea" and being able to do it and then die. It's good game design.

[artkaninchenbau]

Crocodile finds a strange stray cat an 11-year old Nico Robin (AU where they met 13 years earlier. Robin's been on the run from the World Government for 3 years. Crocodile's 27 and has not set up base in Alabasta yet)

It seems like I have become possessed. By some sort of demon.

Bonus:

[commonobjects]

I just learned this morning that Dr. Greger was in town last week. I can’t believe that I wasn’t aware of the event, and I’m still in shock that I missed it. These books forever changed my life, and I hope to thank you in the flesh one day, Dr. Greger. Thank youuuuuuuuuu!

[kristinwaymire]

🍔 Dive into a veggie burger adventure with my lazy twist on the 'How Not to Die' cookbook's Beet Burger! 🍔 Watch as I add my own quirky flair and break the rules in the tastiest way possible. Stay tuned for the full review. Whether you're a seasoned chef or kitchen newbie, this video will inspire you to get creative in the kitchen! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and let's get cooking! 🔥🌱 For updates on my 66 day Challenge, follow me on TikTok @kway_94 For updates on my life, follow me on Instagram @kway_94

[knowledgeandinformation]

How not to age

Slowing pathways of ageing

Only about 15-30% of our lifespan appears determined by our genes, which means how we live our lives may determine the bulk of our destiny.

AMPK

Autophagy is a housekeeping process by which defective cellular components are broken down and scrapped for spare parts. AMPK induces autophagy. The most reliable way to extend lifespan may be long term food reduction. AMPK activation is thought to be one of the mechanisms for this longevity boost. Exercise increases the AMPK activity. To help boost AMPK a) reduce consumption of saturated fat (concentrated in meat, dairy and desserts)b) increase consumption of fibre, c) 2 teaspoons of barberries, d) a dash of black cumin, e) hibiscus and/or lemon verbena tea, f) 2 teaspoons of vinegar

Autophagy

To boost this anti-aging pathway, consider a) 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity, b) minimise your intake of fried food, c) consume at least 20mg of spermidine by incorporating foods such as tempeh, mushrooms, peas and wheat germ into your diet, Wheat germ has 2.5mg per tbsp, mushrooms 9.2mg per 100g, tempeh 9.7mg per 100g d) drink three cups of regular or decaffeinated coffee.

Spermidine plays a key role in regulating cell growth. Wheat germ can significantly improve dementia way beyond all available antidimentia treatments so far.

Cellular senescence

To prevent cellular senescence, avert DNA damage by following the recommendations in the oxidation chapter and to clear such cells of their SASP there are natural senolytic compounds in foods (quercetin, fisetin and piperlongumine). While it is not yet clear whether sufficien levels can be reached by eating foods rich in these compounds, the foods are healthful in their own right. To slow this aging pathway, consider a) consuming quercetin-rich foods, beverages and seasonings such as onions, apples, kale, tea and salt free capers, b) eating strawberries, c) seaoning meals with pippali.

Epigenetics

Exercise frequency and intensity are associated with a deceleration of aging. In 2018 an aging analysis was published of the CALERIE study, the first major randomised trial of calorie restriction in humans. The control group continued to age at a rate of about one year per year but in that time the dietary restriction group only aged by about one month. And they achieved this with only a 12% calorie restriction. Aging rates were slowed independent of weight loss.

The lifestyle factor most closely associating with slowing aging, even more than exercise, is a marker of fruit and vegetable intake, blood levels of carotenoid phytonutrients like beta-carotene. The food most consistently linked to accelerating aging is meat.

To help boost this anti-aging pathway, restrict calories by 12% which would be cutting about 250 calories out of a 2000 calorie diet, and b) meeting the 400μg recommended daily allowance of folate, which could be achieved with about a cup of cooked lentils or edamame, a cup and a half of cooked spinach or asparagus, or two and a half cups of broccoli.

Glycation

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are one of the main factors contributing to the aging process. As AGEs accumulate in our bones, joints and muscles, they may contribute to osteoporosis, arthritis and muscle asting, the weaking, shrinking and loss of muscle mass with age. AGEs are implicated in age related memory decline, impaired wound healing, skin aging, cataracts and Alzheimer's disease.

Eating an AGE less diet by emphasising lower AGE foods such as fruits and vegetables, cooking high protein foods using relatively low heat and high humidity methods such as boiling or steaming rather than broiling or frying, favouring raw nuts and seeds over roasted or toasted, choosing lower glycemic load foods. Steel cut oats are a low glycemic index food but instant oats are high.

IGF-1

The higher the IGF-1 in your bloodstream, the higher your risk for developing some cancers such as breast, colorectal and prostate.

Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is systemic, persistent and non-specific and appears to perpetuate disease. A marker is C-reactive protein. Immunity deteriorates with age in a process known as immunosenescence. There is also more inflammation. The progressive increase in pro-inflammatory status is a major feature of the aging process and is referred to as "inflammaging". Applying skin lotion twice daily may be a simple way to dampen systemic inflammation. Some causes of inflammation are the buildup of dietary advanced glycation end products, senescent cells spewing SASP and age related decline in autophagy machinery. Two years of modest caloric restriction cut inflammation markers such as CRP by 40%, which could have been due to a boost in autophagy that cleared out inflammatory cellular debris or simply as a consequence of their weight loss. Fatty tissue plays an active role in secreting inflammatory chemicals. Dietary cholesterol may contribute to inflammation. As we age, there is an increate in visceral fat which may contribute to inflammaging.

Dietary Inflammatory Index: generally components of animal products and processed foods like saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol were found to be pro-inflammatory, while constituents of whole plant foods such as fiber and phytonutrients came up strongly anti-inflammatory. Eating a more inflammatory diet has been associated with 75% increased odds of having cancer and 67% increased risk of dying from it.

mTor

Suppression of mTOR may be a central mediator of the lifespan-extending effects of dietary restriction. Caloric restriction has been heralded as a fountain of youth but negative side effects may include dangerously low blood pressure, infertility, slower healing of wounds, menstrual irregularities, sensitivity to cold and loss of strength, bone and libido. You're also walking around starving all the time. However the benefits of eating less may not be coming from restricting calories but from restricting protein. Methionine and the three branch-chain amino acids (BCAA) isoleucine, leucine and valine are particularly important to restrict, and they are particularly concentrated in animal proteins. A compound called DIM, formed when the cruciferous vegetable compound indole-3-carbinol hits our stomach acid, has been shown to suppress mTOR activation. Sulforaphane, another product of consuming cruciferous vegetables, also suppresses mTOR. Also coffee and green tea. To slow this aging pathway, strive to stick to the recommended daily intake of protein, 0.8g per healthy kg of body weight which translates to about 45g a day for the average-height woman.

Oxidation

Free radicals are unstable, violently reactive molecules with an unpaired electron. The unpaired electron steals electrons away from any molecule in their path. The resultant cellular damage causes aging. Mitochondria are the major source of cellular free radical formation. You can reduce mitochondrial free radical production rate through exercising and by lowering intake of the amino acid methionine. Methionine restriction is thought to account for about 50% of the lifespan extension attributed to full dietary restriction. Legumes have a comparably low methionine content. This is consistent with legume consumption being the most important dietary predictor of survival in older people around the world. Antioxidants can't seem to slow the rate of aging but they may be able to prevent age-related diseases linked to oxidative damage to the 99% of our DNA outside the mitochondria. Oxidative stress has been implicated in hair graying, the development of cataracts, arthritis, frailty and neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, kidney and pulmonary diseases, cognitive decline, age-related macular degeneration and muscle loss. Every meal is an opportunity to tip the balance in a pro-oxidant or antioxidant direction. Eating a single meal deficient in antioxidant-rich foods can leave us in a pro-oxidant state for hours. You can also experience increased oxidative stress due to illness, secondhand smoke, air pollution and sleep deprivation. Antioxidant levels can plummet within 2 hours of a stressful event and take up to 3 days to get back to normal. So healthier eating is especially important when we anticipate we'll be stressed, sick or tired. Kiwis, cooked carrots and green tea are particularly good at facilitating DNA repair. Red wine can improve blood antioxidant capacity. Nrf2 levels and signaling tend to decrease with age. 30 mins of cycling can boost them but the most potent natural Nrf2 inducer is sulfurophane (in cruciferous vegetables). B12 deficiency is associated with increased oxidative stress. To slow oxidation, consider daily exercising, restrict methionine intake by choosing plant based protein sources and reducing overall protein intake to recommended levels, activate Nrf2 defenses by eating green/ cruciferous vegetables and drinking green tea, eating berries and other naturally vibrantly coloured foods, using herbs and spices, avoiding added salt, sugar and saturated fat- and cholesterol-rich foods.

Telomeres

Telomeres are one of the aging pathways that have crept into the public consciousness. Increasing telomere length to slow or even prevent aging is a popular idea, though the science is controversial. Telomere elongation is possible through activation of the telomerase enzyme, but there is a constant battle between the forces hacking away at our telomeres such as aging, oxidative stress and inflammation and the lifestyle decisions that can help build them back up. To help boost this anti-aging pathway, on a daily basis consider: a) following the recommendations in the inflammation and oxidation chapters, b) eating a high-fibre diet centered around whole plant foods, drink tea and coffee, eat cruciferous vegetables, supplement with 800 to 1000 IU of vitamin D3 a day if your vitamind D blood level is under 20 ng/mL.

Lifestyle

Weight

BMI of 20 to 22 is the optimal weight for longevity (53-58kg for 5ft4).

Sleep

Sleep deprivation is no joke. The magnitude of impairment from a week of five-hour nights is similar to that reported in people who smoke, have diabetes or have coronary artery disease. There are some alarming contaminants in melatonin supplements. Pistachios are not just the most melatonin-rich nut, they are simply off-the-charts as the most melatonin-rich food ever recorded. To get a physiological dose of melatonin, all you have to eat is two pistachios.

Salt

Between 40 and 70 food intake drops by about a quarter due to a declining appetite. We also start losing our taste buds and sweet and salty tastes are often the first to slip, which can lead to diets particularly excessive in sugar and salt.

Preserving function

Bones

Inflammation and oxidative stress may play a role in osteoporosis. The intake of pro-inflammatory foods and an elevation of inflammatory markers in the blood such as C-reactive protein are both associated with osteoporotic fractures. A higher intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with lower fracture risk. The consumption of vitamin-C rich foods is associated with lower risk of bone loss, osteoporosis and hip fracture. Soy foods have been significantly associated with lower risk of fracture.

Nutritionally, soy milk is the best choice for replacing dairy milk in the human diet.

Bowel

Fibre.

Circulation

The capacity of our blood vessels to repair themselves is dependent on endothelial progenitor cells that emerge from stem cells in our bone marrow to patch up any holes in our endothelium, the innermost lining in our blood vessels that keeps our blood flowing smoothly. Reduce trans fat (mostly in meat and dairy), saturated fat (animal products and junk foods. also coconut oil palm oil) and dietary cholesterol (animal products, particularly eggs). Increase berries, onions, green tea. Eat plant based.

Immune system

Vaccination is less effective for the elderly. For example, while flu shots can build up sufficient antibody protection in 50-70% of younger individuals, that proportion falls to as few as 10-30% of older adults who are among those who need the protection the most. Also, the immune cells of elderly produce significantly more pro-inflammatory signals. This suggests the worst of both worlds - a decline in the part of the immune system that fights specific infections and an aggravation of nonspecific overreactions that can lead to inflammation. Immunosenescence is the decline in immune defense with aging. Exercise helps to improve efficacy of flu and pneumonia vaccines. Sleep improves the ability to clear viruses more quickly so you're less likely to become symptomatic. Those who eat more fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of getting an upper respiratory tract infection like the common cold. Those eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables had an 82% greater protective antibody response to a flu vaccine than those who didn't. Disappointing trial results for echinacea. Kiwifruits, broccoli significantly shorten flu duration. Maybe seaweed and soy milk. Mushrooms, particularly shiitake. Nutritional yeast. Green tea. Fibre.

Joints

Athletic injuries to the knees are a well established risk factor for osteoarthritis later in life. At the same time, physical inactivity can put your knees at risk, not only because weakened muscles make for less stable joints but because cartilage also has a "use it or lose it" characteristic. Exercise is consistently effective for pain relief if you have osteoarthritis.

Dietary factors associated with accelerated progression: higher saturated fat intake, dietary cholesterol, pro-inflammatory omega-6 fat, pro-inflammatory diets.

Reduced acceleration: anti-inflammatory diet, fibre, green tea, strawberries. Ginger, turmeric (1/2 tsp daily). No evidence for glucosamine, chondroitin or collagen.

Muscles

Muscle mass starts to decline after 30 and accelerates after 50 at a loss of 1-2% every year. Not just because people become less active with age. Frailty is comprised of weakness, unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, slow walking speed and low physical activity. The heritability of muscle mass and strength is around 50%. Use it or lose it applies to muscle. Eating high on the Dietary Inflammatory Index has been associated with frailty. The recommended dietary allowance of protein is 0.8g of protein per ideal kg of body weight per day. Extra protein or essential amino acid supplementation appears to have little or no effect on muscle mass, strength or performance when taken alone or added to an exercise regimen. Whey protein stimulates the greatest response in terms of short term muscle protein synthesis but there is no correlation between this and long term changes in muscle mass. Higher fruit and vegetable intake linked to lower frailty. Creatine is effective if combined with exercise.

Skin

The three main constituents that make up the bulk of our skin are collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin. As we age, the synthesis of collagen and elastin decreases by about 1% a year as does skin thickness. Intrinsic aged skin loses elasticity and develops fine wrinkles but is generally otherwise smooth and unblemished but extrinsic skin becomes leathery, bumpy, blotchy and mottled with coarse wrinkles and furrows. Between 80-90% of facial aging of those with light skin is due to sun exposure.

Fibre for varicose veins. Minimise sun exposure and use sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. Sunscreen to prevent skin aging, retinol to reverse aging. Nicotinamide for wrinkles. Vitamin C for oxidative stress but shelf stable versions aren't effective so buy L-ascorbic acid and mix 3g into 30g water and use a few drops on face daily. Collagen supplements haven't been shown to be effective. Stimulate collagen synthesis by ensuring a daily vitamin C intake of at least 95mg (an orange or a cup of broccoli have 70mg). Foods which may be defensive against wrinkles are antioxidant rich foods, anti-inflammatory foods, anti-glycation foods, fibre rich foods and foods shown to block collagen- and elastin- destroying enzymes such as garlic, turmeric and ginger.

Teeth

Green tea as a mouthwash, with or without added amla? Sugar consumption is considered to be the one and only cause of cavities. Superior dental health among vegetarians may be due to eating fewer pro-inflammatory foods or more anti-inflammatory components like high fibre diets. But vegetarians do have an increased risk of dental enamel erosion due to the consumption of more acidic fruits and vegetables such as citrus and tomatoes. The solution is to rinse out your mouth with water after consuming sour foods or beverages and waiting 30-60 minutes after consumption to allow your teeth to first remineralise. Flossing before brushing is much better for plaque removal than after. Nitrates may play an important antimicrobial role in saliva which alleviates gum inflammation.

Vision

Prevent cataracts with spring greens, spinach and goji berries.

[almondemotion]

A doctor should know better. Blueberries and Camomile.

More blueberries please.

Here is the start of the story. About 18 months ago I began running, again. After a hiatus of 15 years, I set about recovering my fitness. First with couch to 5K then swimming in the cold waters of Mavers and cycling the ups and downs of South Yorkshire. My dogs became fitter, I took them further afield. I had already given-up alcohol, now I moved to wholly plant-based food, veganism if you…

[lotus-pear]

lore accurate double black battle scene

[mwagneto]

it's all be gay do crime and eat the rich until the rich actually get eaten and then suddenly it's nooo don't be cruel human life is precious 🥺🥺 these are people who have never been in touch with human life and thus i am unable to view them as anything but a fascinating story and a major L in return. stupid games stupid prizes and so on

[chloesimaginationthings]

Michael Afton teaches Vanessa the first rule of FNAF

[stromblessed]

Mizu, femininity, and fallen sparrows

In my last post about Mizu and Akemi, I feel like I came across as overly critical of Mizu given that Mizu is a woman who - in her own words - has to live as a man in order to go down the path of revenge.

If she is ever discovered to be female by the wrong person, she will not only be unable to complete her quest, but there's a good chance that she'll be arrested or killed.

So it makes complete sense for Mizu to distance herself as much as possible from any behavior that she feels like would make someone question her sex.

I felt so indignant toward Mizu on my first couple watchthroughs for this moment. Why couldn't Mizu bribe the woman and her child's way into the city too? If Mizu is presenting as a man, couldn't she claim to be the woman's escort?

However, this moment makes things pretty clear. Mizu knows all too well the plight of women in her society. She knows it so well that she cannot risk ever finding herself back in their position again. She helps in what little way she can - without drawing attention to herself.

Mizu is not a hero and she is not one to make of herself a martyr - she will not set herself on fire to keep others warm. There's room to argue that Mizu shouldn't prioritize her quest over people's lives, but given the collateral damage Mizu can live with in almost every episode of season 1, Mizu is simply not operating under that kind of morality at this point. ("You don't know what I've done to reach you," Mizu tells Fowler.)

And while I still feel like Mizu has an obvious and established blind spot when it comes to Akemi because of their differences in station, such that Mizu's judgment of Akemi and actions in episode 5 are the result of prejudice rather than the result of Mizu's caution, I also want to establish that Mizu is just as caged as Akemi is, despite her technically having more freedom while living as a man.

Mizu can hide her mixed race identity some of the time, and she can hide her sex almost all of the time, but being able to operate outside of her society's strict rules for women does not mean she cannot see their plight.

It does not mean she doesn't hurt for them.

Back to Mizu and collateral damage, remember that sparrow?

While Mizu is breaking into Boss Hamata's manse, she gets startled by a bird and kills it on reflex. She then cradles it in her hands - much more tenderly than we've seen Mizu treat almost anything up to this point in the season:

She then puts it in its nest, with its unhatched eggs. Almost like she's trying to make the death look natural. Or like an accident.

You see where I'm going with this.

When Mizu kills Kinuyo, Mizu lingers in the moment, holding the body tenderly:

And btw a lot of stuff about this show hit me hard, but this remains the biggest gut punch of them all for me, Mizu holding that poor girl's body close, GOD

When Mizu arranges the "scene of the crime," Kinuyo's body is delicate, birdlike. And Mizu is so shaken afterward that she gets sloppy. She's horrified at this kill to the point that she can't bring herself to take another innocent life - the boy who rats her out.

MIZU'S ONE MOMENT OF SOFTNESS AND MERCY, COMING ON THE HEELS OF HER NEEDING TO KILL A GIRL TO SPARE HER THE WORST FATE THAT THIS RIGID SOCIETY HAS TO OFFER WOMEN, AND TO SPARE A BROTHEL FULL OF INNOCENT WOMEN WHO ARE THE CASTOFFS OF SOCIETY, NEARLY RESULTS IN ALL OF THEIR DEATHS

No wonder Mizu is as stoic and cold as she is.

And no wonder Mizu has no patience for Akemi whatsoever right before the terrible reveal and the fight breaks out:

Speaking of Akemi - guess who else is compared to a bird!

The plumage is more colorful, a bit flashier. But a bird is a bird.

And, uh

Yeah.

I like to think that Mizu killing the sparrow is not only foreshadowing for what she must do to Kinuyo, but is also a representation of the choice she makes on Akemi's behalf. She decides to cage the bird because she believes the bird is "better off." Better off caged than... dead.

But because Mizu doesn't know Akemi or her situation, she of course doesn't realize that the bird is fated to die if it is caged and sent back home.

Mizu is clearly not happy, or pleased, or satisfied by allowing Akemi to be dragged back to her father:

But softness and mercy haven't gotten Mizu anywhere good, recently.

There is so much tragedy layered into Mizu's character, and it includes the things she has to witness and the choices she makes - or believes she has to make - involving women, when she herself can skirt around a lot of what her society throws at women. Although, I do believe that it comes at the cost of a part of Mizu's soul.

After all, I'm gonna be haunted for the rest of this show by Mizu's very first prayer in episode 1:

"LET" her die. Because as Ringo points out, she doesn't "know how" to die.

Kind of like another bird in this show:

[bluedietcoke]

book quotes that i will never recover from

"he is half of my soul, as the poets say. " - song of achilles

"write me a letter telling me how to live the rest of my life without you." - how to make friends with the dark

"they were my birthday presents." - shatter me

"she had realized that she had forgotten the precise blue of his eyes and the depth of his laugh." - clockwork princess

"my name is sam cortland... and i will not be afraid." - assassin's blade

"you chose me four years ago. would you choose me still?" - these violent delights

"we were all supposed to make it." - crooked kingdom

"i remember everything." - the invisible life of addie larue

"come home and shout at me. come home and fight with me. come home and break my heart, if you must. just come home." - cruel prince

"i wasted all those yesterdays and am completely out of tomorrows." - they both die at the end

"you hated the idea of me." - the final gambit

"bob says hello." - house of hades

"abuse can feel like love. starving people will eat anything." - nightfall

"i missed you only with an ocean between us. but if death was separating us... i would find you." - queen of shadows

"i loved him. i love him. as best i could." - we were liars

"i'm the villain, even in my own story. but you were supposed to play a different role." - finale

"i will find you again in the next world—the next life. and we will have that time. i promise." - a court of wings and ruin

"i spent half of my time loving her and the other half hiding how much i loved her." - the seven husbands of evelyn hugo

[zebruh]

it's funny when you marry alex in stardew cause his grandpa goes whaaAat noo what the hell two men? getting married? I didn't get my dick blowbn off in the coal mine for this! then give him a week and he's like heh my uncle was a farmer it's a noble, manly profession. I guess you're alright.

like I guess alex didn't mention to anyone he was dating the farmer who runs around in a crop top and trash can lid hat until last minute wonder why

[ak1ji]

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Credit - me!