Scholar's Paper Example: Karlsson Winter-05

Pleneurethics

and the

Metabolic Mandate

Gina Karlsson

Pleneurethics Scholarship

Winter, 2005

The core principles of Pleneurethics enjoin us as individuals to make sensible, informed choices with regard to our physical health. In order to enjoy the benefits of overall neurological and physical health, we are charged with the universal responsibility to care for the bodies we are gifted with, so that we will then have optimum freedom to pursue more cerebral goals without the debilitating concerns of ill health. The principles of metabolic health directly coincide with Pleneurethical principles; overlapping in the supposition that when an individual enjoys excellent physical health all other systems, including ethical considerations and neurological function, will directly benefit.

Pleneurethics, as defined by its creator, Richard Bangs Collier, is a philosophy which advocates neurological fitness as the fundamental precept of good health. Collier claims that excellent neurological health has a direct influence upon subsequent ethical conduct, and was ahead of his time in recognizing the importance of establishing a holistic approach to body systems. This overarching theme illustrates his belief that when this holistic approach is implemented, a person’s health, character, and ability to make responsible choices are enhanced, benefiting both the individual and society. Collier’s writings consist of an analysis of his beliefs on the value of integrating chemical, mental, spiritual and physical body systems for the express purpose of creating a more nurturing society, and he charges the community at large with his humanitarian mandate: “If the greatest good is sensitive awareness of the collective need of the living community, then the lowest evil is ignorance of such a need, and it does not matter if such ignorance is witting or unwitting, premeditated or unpremeditated” (Collier, “Philosophy” 69).

Collier’s exposition of Pleneurethical principles seeks to examine the connection between the brain and the mind, and to apply that understanding to the context of the human body system. He further notes that if the brain experiences ongoing mental stress, it can result in damage to the actual structures of the body, resulting in a negative impact on whatever healing process is undertaken to address that structural damage. Collier declares that “brain exhaustion provoked by mental stress can cause the body to become imbalanced” (Collier, “Concept” 29). He coined a term for that mental stress; “brain exhaustion,” and cautions that this state can lead to a metabolic imbalance which then interferes with the body’s ability to function efficiently. That inefficient function can impede the person’s ability to exercise sound judgment (Collier, “Concept” 125). In his compelling quest for holistic “balance,” Collier infers that individuals must seek to understand their surroundings, and in so doing contribute to the efficiency of the brain’s processes. “Proper interaction with one’s environment can lead to positive influences on character, physical health and an improved quality of life” (Collier, “Essential” 174-6).

Collier’s theories are based upon the belief that the human brain is in a circuitous relationship with the body, each directly impacting the other.

“If the brain is disrupted, no matter what the source, the mind will be subsequently influenced. The reverse is also true. If the mentality of mind is first insulted, this will eventually be reflected into the physical brain…That which is true for the mind/brain relationship is also true for the brain/somatic organ relationship” (Collier, “Philosophical”).

Collier concludes, “In Pleneurethics, all chronic disabilities of man are diagnosed in terms of brain involvement, and all avenues of therapy are directed at relieving the cause of whatever chronic debility exists” (Collier, “Journal” 4). The answers to the paradox between the quality of life and chronic debility from aging lie within us. The results of multiple bodies of research conclude that it is metabolism, not genetics, which determines how we age. This theory is called the metabolic model of aging.

Stephen Cherniske, a noted biochemist, expresses the two components of metabolic aging as anabolic and catabolic. Anabolic metabolism refers to the rebuild, repair and restoration activities of the body. Catabolic activity basically refers to breakdown and degeneration. The ratio of damage to repair is fundamentally responsible for determining at what rate we age (Cherniske 6).

The primary building block of life, the DNA molecule, is understood as a double helix which has two long strings coiled around one another, called nucleotides. Those nucleotides are matched and connected, one string to another, in mirror image of each other (“Mitosis”). Every cell in every living thing contains DNA. When cells divide, which they do over 300 billion times a day (Cherniske 200), one string goes to the old cell, and the other goes to the new cell. Each string then begins to generate its mirror image. When this happens over and over throughout our lives, error eventually occurs. This error in cell mitosis results in the biomarkers we term “aging.” However, the good news is that we do have clear choices which can impact the quality of our aging.

We routinely endure a plethora of illnesses that are entirely preventable. We suffer from irrational fears and poverty of spirit. In our desperation, we turn in the wrong direction for help—albeit to technology instead of nature. We behave as though our upset stomach is the result of an antacid deficiency, our fatigue is from a lack of caffeine, unwanted fat will melt away with a diet pill, cancer can be cured with poisons, and muscle and joint pain are caused by an ibuprofen deficiency (Cherniske). These are bizarre notions, as is the belief that the answers to our stressful existence could be anti-depressants or better scheduling. In 1998, an extensive study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association showed that 106,000 people die annually in American hospitals from medication’s side effects; and those are just the recorded incidents. Collier comments on this trend: “The current definition of the practice of medicine focuses exclusively on the use of drugs and medications in the treatment of disease. It was steered away from the practice of using anything found effective, largely because law and modern precedent have circumscribed its role. Thus, the current practice of medicine has chosen to interpret the course of chronic illness as essentially biochemical in nature” (Collier). It is clear that a shift in philosophy is crucial to maintaining optimal health.

Understanding the fundamentals of the metabolic plan as outlined by biochemist Stephen Cherniske is about “learning the rules so you can enjoy the game to its fullest—achieving maximal life span and high-level wellness” (Cherniske 9). There are two keys to this puzzle: the first is to maximize anabolic metabolism, that astonishing capacity for self-repair and regeneration, and second, we must somehow stop catabolic activity by discerning the metabolic shift which naturally occurs as we age, then using appropriate tools to counteract that phenomenon. Metabolism can then be summarized as the process of anabolic repair versus catabolic damage within the body.

The typical model of aging which embraces the theorem that aging is the inexorable process of degeneration has been replaced with a new model in some circles, which suggests that metabolism is the major factor to be considered in aging and health. Cherniske has stated that, “Aging is a dynamic process over which we have considerable control (Cherniske 19).” If it is true, as Cherniske states, that only about 35% of aging is controlled by our genes, we can deduce that 65% is under our control. Aging occurs because of a metabolic shift from the anabolic stage of high energy, rebuild and repair to a catabolic stage, characterized by low energy and breakdown. There is a balance of these two forces at about age 30. As stated above, the human body produces about 300 billion new cells every single day. Beginning at about age 30, the new cells are not as healthy as the cells they are replacing. The key, then, is to keep producing healthy cells by providing the body with the raw materials needed to support its ability to regenerate itself. Anabolic metabolism is circular: high muscle mass sends longevity signals to the brain, and the brain responds by sending anabolic instructions back to the body, which then maintain critical muscle mass. All of this communication is accomplished biochemically—with “a dizzying array of enzymes, hormones, and nerve signals that control life” (Cherniske 24). It logically follows then, that if the 300 billion cells made today are stronger and healthier than the cells they replaced and this is done consistently, day after day, then every aspect of who we are will improve: appearance, strength, stamina, sex drive, memory, and even mood. This is now possible, and it’s not genes or luck—rather, it is the result of conscious, ethical choices.

Prevention also plays a vital role in healthy aging, and nutrition is the catalyst in that process. The two major factors affecting anabolic metabolism are raw materials and hormone signals. It is difficult to get the raw materials which would nourish the body and restore anabolic health in the typical American diet. Depleted soil produces deficient plants, and when that is combined with bad food choices, cooking methods, and selective breeding; many of the nutrients vital for anabolic repair are simply unavailable. This obstacle can be overcome by incorporating longevity foods and quality supplements into the diet (Cherniske). Secondly, our bodies need a signal to tell the body what to do with those raw materials, and this signal comes from hormones. In youth, DHEA, estrogen, testosterone and progesterone combine to send the messages that tell the cells to rebuild, restore, and repair. In the evolutionary design, our bodies are programmed to initiate shutdown sequences at about age forty. It then becomes incumbent upon us to provide our body with nutrients which can support healthy cell regeneration. The body requires only about forty-two nutrients to keep us alive, but literally hundreds are required for optimum cellular repair (Cherniske 200). Invariably, these nutrients—which include polyphenols, flavonoids, isoflavones, carotenoids, vitamins, and trace minerals—are found in whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables, yet surveys indicate that Americans are consuming fewer of these foods than ever before (“Benefits” H54). The typical person eats on the average, only eleven types of food and only two to three servings of fruits and vegetables per day (Brewster). Most nutritional scientists recommend at least nine servings of fruits and vegetables to maintain sufficient antioxidant power. “A healthy diet is rich in whole ‘natural’ and unprocessed foods. It is especially high in plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, seeds and nuts, as these foods contain not only valuable nutrients, but also dietary fiber which has remarkably healthy properties. A healthy diet must contain adequate, but not excessive, quantities of protein, and include at least eight glasses of water per day” (Murray).

Another problem was uncovered by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. They report that “plant nutrients known for their anticancer capabilities have been effectively removed from American foods through processing and selective breeding” (Drewnowski 124-35). This is because these compounds have bitter flavors, and growers and manufacturers have altered them for marketing purposes (Cherniske 32). The overriding motivation is money for the manufacturers. There is a solution, however; food scientists have created extracts from the most nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. These compounds can be used to supplement a nutrition-poor diet and to provide the building blocks necessary to optimal health.

“Pleneurethical principles endorse the practice of a healthy diet and a sensible exercise regime. “The dietetic system of Pleneurethics is based on neural economy and upon the notion that the best foods are those which are most easily digested and assimilated and which provide all necessary nutritional and biological essentials. Food is to be selected and prepared in a way that provides optimum nutrition; and that requires the least expenditure of neural command to distribute, metabolize, and engineer the disposal of waste. Natural foods, grown on fertile, unpoisoned [sic] land, with minimal processing or refining are preferred. Vegetable foods are held to be superior to animal flesh…” (Collier, “Journal” 9).

Stress is a catabolic disaster. It stealthily weakens the immune system, accelerates aging, interferes with deep sleep and sets us up for a ferocious cycle of fatigue, illness and even more stress. Stimulants like caffeine cannot supply real energy—biologically, caffeine actually exacerbates stress. The jolt received from caffeine raises hormone levels and constricts blood vessels. This feeling becomes normalized and we are obliged to consume even more of the stimulant to duplicate the previous sense of mental sharpness. Caffeine also causes us to become dehydrated, compromises our immunity, and has a negative affect on our sleep patterns. Add to this dilemma the fact that we often don’t get what we want, and do get what we don’t want (Cherniske 115). Our reactions to this irony can result in stress, which saps our energy, creates unhappiness, and prevents deep and restful sleep. Life is not about avoiding stress or pretending to be happy. It is about meeting life’s challenges in creative and effective ways which can then transform that stress (Cherniske 116).

Dehydration adds to catabolic damage because water is essential for good health. Coffee, caffeinated tea, soft drinks and alcohol are diuretics which dehydrate the body. Even slight dehydration can disrupt critical cell functions. Ironically, thirst is not an accurate gauge of the need for water. Research shows that the body can become significantly dehydrated before we actually feel thirsty. A recent study has shown that “minute changes in cell hydration produce dramatic alterations in cellular metabolism and gene activity” (Haussinger E343-55). That very gene activity affects every cell in our bodies, influencing the body’s ability to repair and reproduce. It is clear that our intake of water has a critical bearing on our mental and ethical well-being (Cherniske 225). Water is vital to all the body’s functions, including movement, digestion, and temperature regulation. It is important to be moderate with dehydrating beverages, and to compensate by eating lots of fruits and vegetables and drinking filtered water throughout the day.

This is where the two paradigms of Pleneurethics and metabolism reach consensus. The precepts of Pleneurethics demand that individuals use all means available to assist the body in functioning optimally. I submit that lifestyle changes which would enhance the brain’s ability to function at peak level are ethically mandated. This optimum performance would then result in better ethical health for the individual—both the metabolic and the Pleneurethical systems working in tandem to achieve ethical health, because “…Ethics is the final goal of Pleneurethics…” (Collier, “Concept” 336).

The old labels don’t apply. There’s nothing “alternative” about it. It is incumbent upon us as individuals to educate ourselves on how we can best support our bodies, even at the metabolic level, so that we may enjoy the freedoms associated with good health. It is even more important to consider the question of “Why do I want to live a more dynamic life?” The next logical step is to take small, achievable steps to get where we need to be in order to create or maintain that level of intensity. Decisions never come without a price. Progress is accomplished in small, deliberate steps, and that is where the power to change our journey lies; all that is mandated is that necessary first step.

Works Cited

“Benefits of Fruits, Vegetables Still Go Unrealized.” Los Angeles Times; August 16, 1990: H54.

Brewster, L., and M. F. Jacobson. The Changing American Diet. (Washington, D.C.: Center for Science in the Public Interest, 1978).

Cherniske, Stephen, M.S. The Metabolic Plan. (Random House: New York, 2003).

Collier, Richard Bangs. Essential Pleneurethics. (Tacoma, WA: Pleneurethics Society, 1989).

---. Journal of Pleneurethics. Vol. 3 No. 1 (Tacoma, WA: Pleneurethics Society, 1995).

---. Pleneurethics: A New Concept of Healing Vol. 5, 2nd ed., (South China Morning Post, 1969).

---. Pleneurethics: A Philosophical System Uniting Body, Brain and Mind. (Tacoma, WA: Pleneurethics Society, 1990).

---. Pleneurethics: A World Class Philosophy. (Smithtown, New York: Exposition Press, 1981).

Drewnowski, A., and C. Gomez-Carneros. “Bitter Taste, Phytonutrients, and the Consumer: A Review,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 72, no. 6 (December 2000): 124-35.

Haussinger, D., F. Lang, and W. Gerok. “Regulation of Cell Function by the Cellular Hydration State Part 1.” American Journal of Physiology 267, no. 3 (September 1994): E 343-55.

Murray, Michael T., and Joseph E. Pizzorno. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Prima Publishing, Rocklin, CA, 1991.

“The Cell Cycle and Mitosis Tutorial.” (The Biology Project). University of Arizona: April, 1997. .