X-Message-Number: 21734
Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 23:24:13 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: 87'th update on fly longevity experiments
This is the 87'th update of my fly longevity experiments. Average
temperature was 20.0 C during this run. Estimated maximal longevity using
the formula (363 - T*11.2) is 139 days.
A maximum longevity of 124 days, with 1/2 tsp pomegranate in the
current run, happens to be an all-time record for my series of
experiments. The previous record of 118 days was set by freeze
concentrated Knudsen elderberry nectar back in run #36. The highest ever
"control" longevity was 93 days in run #39. For comparison purposes the
maximum control longevities for the past 7 runs were: 74 days (run #86),
57 days (#85), 72 days (#84), 88 days (#83), 55 days (#82), 65 days (#81),
and 66 days (#80).
I presume there was an element of luck in the superlative pomegranate
results, but at the same time, consider it very unlikely that this was due
solely to chance. I believe that viral infections kill most of my flies,
with only a few expiring of advanced motor neuron disease, which
universally afflicts aged drosophila flies. For example the 124 day old
fly was not only no longer capable of flight, but also hardly able to even
walk. This fly looked like it was at death's door, and a check just 3 days
later showed that the animal had at last expired, after its prolonged
battle with the grim reaper.
Follow-up experiments will be reported on, in due course. For now,
I'll just mention the 1/2 tsp pomegranate dose was added to 20 mg of fly
food, which is about 80 calories. Scaling this up to 2000 calories/day,
yields a comparable human dosage of about 4 tablespoons per day.
Pomegranate is regarded as safe for human consumption, retards
atherosclerosis in rodents, and lowers blood pressure in humans.
Run #87 Percent Survival on Day
supplement 56 61 67 72 77 84 91 96 101 106 112 118 124 127
___________________________________________________________________
control 23 8 0 - - - - - - - - - - -
charcoal 260 mg 8 0 - - - - - - - - - - - -
(active) 1040 mg 44 33 22 22 22 22 11 11 0 - - - - -
artichoke 405 mg 38 38 13 13 13 13 0 - - - - - - -
(leaves) 1620 mg 25 25 13 13 0 - - - - - - - - -
pomegranate 1/8 tsp 40 40 0 - - - - - - - - - - -
(paste) 1/2 tsp 80 80 80 80 60 60 60 60 50 40 40 20 10 0
soy sauce 1/8 tsp 13 7 7 7 7 0 - - - - - - - -
(lite) 1/2 tsp 42 25 17 8 8 8 8 0 - - - - - -
strawberry 1/8 tsp 43 21 14 14 14 0 - - - - - - - -
(extract) 1/2 tsp 71 71 64 50 36 21 14 14 7 0 - - - -
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