There’s very interesting data coming out that if you cut your calorie consumption by approximately 20% you can actually add a similar percentage to your longevity.
The best thing you can do for your kidneys is eat a well balanced diet, including fat and carbs. These high protein diets put a hell of a strain on your kidneys while you’re on them. As far as your liver, the best thing you can do there is not drink alcohol.
Completely agree with you on the aerobic exercise. My comment was that the aerobics are not as important for weight loss as the strength training exercises are. As far as maintaining health, fitness and longevity, the aerobics are incredibly important. While there is no direct link between physical fitness and freedom from disease, there’s little question that if you’re physically fit you will have fewer illnesses and recover from them much more quickly. I also believe that regular aerobics also contribute to joint health, flexibility, and add to bone density. Although on the bone density issue the strength training is again more important. By the way, for those that want to defend alcohol for its cardioprotective benefits, regular exercise will do FAR more than a glass of red wine a day (sorry TG).
As far as the herbal stuff goes, no evidence that I’ve ever read says it makes any difference. I know it’s a huge industry, but until I see evidence I’ll save my money for my house down payment. Please note, I’m not casting aspersions on herbal supplements, they MAY turn out to be beneficial, but we just don’t know.
I for one plan to live a long time, and I find mixing anaerobic strength training with aerobics gives me the best chance to do that, and do it well. As far as the diets go, your body is an incredibly efficient nutrient processing plant. As long as it has the raw materials, and don’t fill it full of junk, it can make nearly everything it needs. I’ve been strength training for >10 yrs, have never taken any supplements, and would totally kick my 20 year-old ass.