I don't know much about many of the things that you describe though it sure sounds plausible. I had a PhD minor in biochemistry many moons ago, but most of this stuff was not described yet. But I do know one thing --- your comments about exercise are right on.

For most of my life I gained a couple of pounds a year. Four years ago I finally got sick of being fat and started losing weight via the high protein (low carb) diet. I ended up 62 pounds lighter in only 4 months. Man, that diet works!

I've kept that weight off by walking four miles each morning on a treadmill at a very gentle 4 mph. I just grab two newspapers and get on the machine and when I'm done reading an hour later I have finished my exercise. No-brainer. The result is that 400 calories burned off each morning equals to 2000 calories a week, times 50 weeks equals 100,000 calories a year. Dividing by 3500 calories (one pound per 3500 calorie) that equals 28 pounds a year that I am ahead of the game. And that is a lot of beer.

The benefits of regular exercise, even gentle exercise like walking, are astounding. First, you lose weight --- big time. You need never be fat again, and that is cool. HDL goes way up, total cholesterol and triglycerides drop like a rock, and your blood pressure drops --- mine went from 145/90 on medication to 120/70 on zero medication. And suddenly you can do things you never imagined were possible.

As a result at 61 I can still keep up with most of the younger guys. Exercise is the answer to improving my quality of life.

But I am still never ever going into the Wind River canyon again!