Friday, January 3, 2014

Frankenstein with gray hair

Last month’s 21st Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine in Las Vegas provided more evidence of our fascination with what the mainstreamers call “anti-aging.”  This annual event recorded significant growth in both exhibitors showcasing their wares and attendees.

I’ve previously written my disdain for the “anti-aging” term, preferring instead “gracefully aging”; you can read my rant here: In pursuit of gracefully aging

Apparently, these days, events like this are talking about the latest anti-aging tools like chemical peels, stem cell therapies, new lab tests for various bio-markers, and new obesity protocols.  

New obesity protocols; what happened to good old-fashioned duct tape in the olden days?

It also was an exhibitor showcase featuring the latest neutraceuticals, compounding pharmaceuticals, aesthetic equipment and high-end skincare products for those high-end elder-folks having money to buy them.

One exhibitor shared the following:  “Doctors are starting to learn more about what nutritional supplements can do for their practice and even themselves.” 

Might you hear the sound of a cash register “cha ching” during your next doctor’s office visit while your doctor gives you a hard sell for some new and pricey anti-aging vitamins?

All this anti-aging stuff comes at a cost, both in dollars and cents but also accompanying risks. 

I don’t know about you but this stem cell therapy stuff seems like an expensive bottle of anti-aging elixir called hope.  

It also brings monster movie images to me of an eccentric and mad scientist trying to create a grotesque elderly yet virile creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment.

You know, like a romantic Frankenstein with gray hair.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum

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