Dr. Luka Kovac & Nurse Erica Carmen — “Memes for Nancy”
Quiet oncology lounge. Afternoon light. A phone buzzes softly with notifications.
Dr. Luka Kovac: Erica, before rounds—have you seen today’s memes? Nancy asked if the internet has finally learned compassion.
Nurse Erica Carmen (smiling): Compassion… and cats. Mostly cats. But yes. Today’s batch is gentler. Less doom-scrolling, more gallows humor with a hug.
Dr. Kovac: Good. Her energy dips after chemo days. Laughter doesn’t cure cancer, but it sure changes the weather inside the room.
Erica: Exactly. There’s one where a skeleton says, “Still here. Still fabulous.” It’s dark—but Nancy likes owning the darkness instead of pretending it isn’t there.
Dr. Kovac: Agency matters. Humor gives her the steering wheel back, even if just for a minute.
Erica (scrolling): This one too—“Your body is not broken. It’s busy.” Soft colors, no sarcasm. Very… permission-giving.
Dr. Kovac: That’s a good frame. No blame. No war metaphors. Just work being done.
Erica: I avoid the “fight like a warrior” stuff with her. She told me, “Some days I’m tired of fighting. Some days I just want to rest.”
Dr. Kovac (nodding): Then rest is wisdom. Holistic care isn’t crystals and slogans—it’s listening to what today requires.
Erica: Here’s a silly one for balance: a dog in a blanket burrito—“Doctor says I need more rest. I trust this doctor.”
Dr. Kovac (chuckles): Prescribed coziness. Evidence-based enough for me.
Erica: And one last—handwritten style: “You are allowed to be hopeful and scared at the same time.” That one usually lands.
Dr. Kovac: Send that first. Then the dog. End on warmth.
Erica: Done. I’ll tell her these are today’s low-dose memes. Take as needed. No side effects except smiling.
Dr. Kovac: Perfect. And remind her—she doesn’t owe us bravery. Just honesty.
Erica: Always. I’ll check in after dinner.
They share a quiet, knowing look as the phone sends the messages—small sparks of light, delivered gently.
Dr. Luka Kovač steps forward with his medical clipboard, smiling like a man who has spent a lifetime fixing broken hockey players and Croatian uncles who jump off roofs after too much rakija.
🦴 Dr. Luka Kovač’s Complete Food List for Strong, Unbreakable Bones
“Kosti su kao vojnici — if you feed them right, they become an army.” — Dr. Kovač
Here is the full, holistic, science-backed list of foods that strengthen bone density, joint integrity, and the collagen matrix.
1. Calcium-Rich Foundations
The minerals your bones cannot live without:
Bone broth (liquid gold for bones)
Eggshell powder (nature’s pure calcium carbonate)
Milk (organic or raw if tolerated)
Grass-fed butter
Cheese: aged cheddar, gouda, parmesan
Yogurt & kefir (probiotic bonus)
Sardines with bones
Canned salmon with bones
Dark leafy greens (kale, collards, bok choy)
Sesame seeds & tahini
Almonds
Amaranth
2. Vitamin D — The Gatekeeper
Without D, calcium cannot enter the bones.
Sunlight (the supreme source)
Wild salmon
Sardines
Cod liver oil
Pasture-raised eggs
3. Vitamin K2 — The Bone Traffic Controller
K2 tells calcium where to go — into bones, not arteries.
Grass-fed butter & ghee
Grass-fed beef
Pasture-raised egg yolks
Chicken liver
Natto (the strongest K2 food on Earth)
4. Collagen Builders
Collagen is your bones’ internal rebar.
Bone broth (again — it’s that important)
Gelatin
Chicken feet
Ox tail
Beef shanks
Fish skin & bones
Collagen peptides
5. Magnesium — The Calcium Balancer
Over 300 enzymes depend on it.
Pumpkin seeds
Spinach
Swiss chard
Almonds
Cashews
Avocado
Dark chocolate
Black beans
6. Boron — The Forgottten Bone Mineral
Helps retain calcium & magnesium.
Prunes
Raisins
Brazil nuts
Walnuts
Avocado
Apples
Lentils
Chickpeas
7. Trace Minerals & Electrolytes
Bones need micro-nutrients to be macro-strong.
Celtic sea salt / Himalayan salt
Mineral water
Beets
Seaweed
Shellfish
Goat milk
8. Anti-Inflammatory Boosters
Inflammation weakens bones and joints.
Turmeric & black pepper
Ginger
Garlic
Olive oil
Blueberries
Fermented foods
9. Protein — The Structural Base
Bones are 50% protein by volume.
Grass-fed beef
Pasture-raised chicken
Lamb
Wild fish
Beans & lentils
Quinoa
Dr. Kovač’s Final Prescription
“Make bone broth the foundation, egg shell powder the reinforcement, and grass-fed butter the mortar. If you eat like your great-grandmother, your bones will last longer than the pyramids.”
🎙️ Interview Title: “Codex Alimentarius & The Future of Food Freedom”
Guests: Dr. Rima E. Laibow, MD Hosts: Holistic Nurse Erica Carmen & Webmaster Joseph C. Jukic
Erica Carmen (EC): Welcome everyone to Healing Without Borders. I’m Holistic Nurse Erica Carmen, and joining me as always is our brilliant webmaster and researcher, Joseph C. Jukic. Today, we’re honored to speak with Dr. Rima E. Laibow, a pioneering physician and advocate for health freedom. Our topic—one that affects everyone who eats—is the Codex Alimentarius. Welcome, Dr. Laibow.
Dr. Rima Laibow (RL): Thank you, Erica and Joseph. It’s a pleasure to be with you both and to speak about something that’s quietly reshaping global nutrition policy—often without the public’s full awareness.
Joseph C. Jukic (JJ): Dr. Laibow, many of our listeners have heard the term Codex Alimentarius, but don’t really know what it means. Can you explain it in simple terms?
RL: Certainly. Codex Alimentarius means “Food Code.” It’s a set of international food standards created jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. It was originally intended to ensure food safety in international trade. But over time, it has become a regulatory framework that can restrict access to vitamins, minerals, herbs, and natural remedies, under the guise of “harmonizing” laws across nations.
EC: So, in your view, Codex isn’t really about protecting consumers—it’s more about controlling them?
RL: That’s right. While the official narrative emphasizes consumer safety, the deeper reality is that Codex can be used to limit natural health options and favor pharmaceutical interests. For instance, certain Codex guidelines classify even essential nutrients as “toxins” at doses above trivial amounts. That’s scientifically absurd.
JJ: Dr. Laibow, you’ve warned that under Codex, high-potency supplements could become illegal or require a prescription. How realistic is that threat?
RL: Very realistic. In fact, the European Union already has versions of this in place—the Food Supplements Directive and the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive. Under these systems, natural substances must go through costly pharmaceutical-style approvals. Codex aims to globalize that structure. Once adopted, national sovereignty over food and nutrition policy could be lost.
EC: That’s alarming. As a nurse, I see firsthand how nutrition can heal—how vitamin D, magnesium, selenium, and omega-3s can transform lives. What happens to holistic practitioners if Codex rules become binding?
RL: It would marginalize them. Practitioners who recommend “non-approved” nutrient levels or herbal combinations could be accused of practicing outside regulated limits. It’s the medical-industrial complex consolidating control.
JJ: So it’s not just about what’s on our plates—it’s about who gets to decide what health even means.
RL: Exactly. It’s a war for definition. If the WHO defines nutrients as “toxins,” then wellness itself becomes a regulated commodity. That’s why health freedom advocates must stay alert.
EC: What can citizens do to protect their right to natural health?
RL: First, become informed. Visit the Natural Solutions Foundation website, read the Codex texts for yourself, and question politicians about their stance on health sovereignty. Secondly, support local food systems, community gardens, and farmers who resist corporate control. And finally, never surrender your right to choose what goes into your body.
JJ: That’s powerful. You’re saying health freedom is the foundation of human freedom.
RL: Absolutely. If you can’t control what goes into your body, then you don’t truly own yourself.
EC: Thank you, Dr. Rima Laibow, for your clarity and courage. We’ll keep spreading the message: education, sovereignty, and health freedom for all.
RL: Thank you both. Stay informed, stay strong, and stay well.
Interview: Joseph Jukic & Erica Carmen Talk with Dr. Joel Wallach about Brain & Mood Disorders
Participants:
Joseph C. Jukic (JJ): Webmaster, technical moderator, introduces listener questions
Erica Carmen (EC): Holistic Nurse, guiding the conversation with clinical / holistic focus
Dr. Joel Wallach (JW): Nutritional researcher / advocate
Format: Each poses questions; Dr. Wallach responds; occasional “listener” or “web question” segments.
Opening Remarks
JJ: Welcome everyone to today’s special broadcast. I’m Joseph Jukic, your host. Alongside me is Holistic Nurse Erica Carmen. Today, we have Dr. Joel Wallach, a veteran in nutritional medicine, joining us to examine some of the most daunting brain and mood disorders: dementias, Alzheimer’s, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety. Thank you for being here, Dr. Wallach.
JW: Thank you, Joseph, Erica. I’m grateful for the opportunity to discuss these critically important topics.
EC: Yes, Dr. Wallach—these are conditions that affect millions and challenge conventional medicine. Let’s dive in gently but deeply.
1. Framing the Problem: Why are these disorders increasing?
EC: Dr. Wallach, from your vantage point, we see rising rates of Alzheimer’s, dementia, depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. What is your foundational explanation for that trend?
JW: I see a convergence of factors. The modern age has stripped away many of the elemental supports that human biology requires: depleted soils, processed foods, chemical exposures, chronic stress, lack of essential minerals and micronutrients. Over decades, the brain, which is highly metabolically demanding and exquisitely sensitive, experiences incremental deficits and damage.
Whereas in the past, the margin of safety was wide, now many people live on the “edge” — one further insult pushes the system over. So Alzheimer’s and dementia are, in my view, advanced forms of nutrient-deprivation plus toxicity, while mood disorders reflect earlier, more subtle dysfunctions of neurotransmitter synthesis, antioxidant systems, methylation, and cellular energetics.
2. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: What is really happening?
JJ: Let’s talk about Alzheimer’s and other dementias first. The mainstream model emphasizes beta-amyloid plaques, tau tangles, neuroinflammation. From your perspective, what is the “root cause,” and how would a nutritional approach differ or supplement standard care?
JW: The mainstream markers (amyloid, tau) are downstream phenomena—symptoms, not causes. The brain, when under chronic oxidative stress, inflammation, and deprived of repair components, begins to misfold proteins, accumulate waste, and lose neuronal integrity.
Here’s how I frame it:
Nutrient deficiency: Key trace minerals, vitamins (especially B vitamins, antioxidants, magnesium, selenium, zinc, copper balance, etc.) are chronically low in many patients. Without them, enzymes fail, repair slows, DNA damage accrues.
Toxic burden: Heavy metals, environmental pollutants, pesticides, plasticizers, electromagnetic stress—these impose damage and interfere with cellular machinery.
Energy & mitochondrial dysfunction: Neurons are energy hogs. If mitochondria falter because of missing co-factors, the neuron becomes vulnerable.
Poor waste clearance: The brain’s “garbage disposal” systems (glymphatic, microglia, proteolytic enzymes) need support. If they lag, misfolded proteins, plaques, and debris accumulate.
So the therapeutic approach is to nourish, detox, support energy, and restore repair systems, not just block or clear plaques.
EC: In practical terms, what kind of supplementation or intervention protocol would you use for an Alzheimer’s patient or someone in early dementia?
JW: Here is a general “nutritional neurology” protocol (tailored per patient):
Comprehensive assessment
Micronutrient panels, heavy metal/toxin screen, methylation markers, oxidative stress markers
Cognitive testing, imaging, gut / microbiome evaluation
Core supplementation
Full-spectrum multivitamin / multimineral that includes rare trace minerals
High-dose antioxidants (vitamin C, E, glutathione, NAC, coenzyme Q10)
Methylation support (methyl-B12, methyl-folate, B6)
Choline, phosphatidylcholine, inositol (for membrane and neurotransmitter support)
Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA / DHA) for neuronal membranes
Magnesium (preferably magnesium threonate for CNS penetration)
Minerals like selenium, zinc, copper (balanced), manganese
Over months to years, you aim to stabilize, slow progression, and ideally regain some function where possible.
3. Mood Disorders: Bipolar, Depression, Anxiety
JJ: Let’s shift to bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety. Conventional psychiatry treats them with psychotropic drugs (antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics). In your framework, how do these conditions arise, and how might nutrition remediate them?
JW: I view mood disorders as metabolic / biochemical disorders of the brain first, not merely “mental illness” in isolation. Many of the same factors apply:
Be cautious with stimulant precursors. Mood swings or mania may worsen if neurotransmitter precursors are too aggressive.
Stabilizing agents (nutritional & herbal) like inositol, lithium (nutritional levels), magnesium, omega-3 high EPA may help.
Monitor electrolyte balance continuously—imbalances can shift mood.
Monitoring by a clinician is critical, especially if patients are already on psychotropic medications.
Adjust doses slowly; watch for mood switches.
Emphasis on stabilization, rather than pushing peaks.
4. Listener / Web Questions
JJ: We have several listener-submitted questions. Let me read a few:
Caller A:“My mother has moderate Alzheimer’s. Will nutritional therapy reverse her memory loss?”
JW: It depends on how much neuronal loss or brain atrophy has occurred. In earlier stages, yes: memory, cognition, recognition, even structural improvements are possible. In later stages, full reversal may be unlikely, but stabilization, slowing decline, reducing symptoms, and improving quality of life is very achievable. Nutritional healing is not magic but helps the body express its latent repair potential.
Caller B:“I was diagnosed with bipolar II years ago and have taken medications. Can I wean off and try nutrition instead?”
JW: Very carefully, under medical supervision. Don’t abruptly stop medications. First, support nutritional groundwork (minerals, methylation, antioxidant support) while gradually tapering medications under psychiatric supervision. Watch for mood destabilization. Some patients may reduce doses; others may need medication long term, but nutritional support always helps reduce side effects and protect brain health.
Caller C:“Is depression just low serotonin? Why do drugs sometimes help, but often don’t fully resolve symptoms?”
JW: Depression is far more complex than “low serotonin.” It’s a network failure: receptor sensitivity, neurotransmitter synthesis, neuroinflammation, energy deficits, methylation dysregulation, gene expression, and neural pruning all play roles. Drugs that boost serotonin temporarily shift chemistry—but if underlying nutrition, inflammation, mitochondrial health, and repair systems are neglected, the benefit is partial and often temporary.
5. Integration, Risks, and Skepticism
EC: Critics will say that much of what you propose lacks large-scale randomized clinical trials. How do you respond, and what are the risks / limitations?
JW: I am aware of the critique. My response:
Nutritional interventions cannot be patented, so there is less commercial incentive to fund large trials.
Traditional trials isolate single agents, whereas real-world healing is multi-factorial. Nutrient synergy is essential and harder to test in single-variable models.
There are case studies, observational data, patient-reported outcomes; these deserve more weight.
I’m not against trials—I urge integrated, systems-based trials.
As for risks:
Overdosing certain nutrients (e.g. fat-soluble vitamins, trace minerals) can be harmful.
Interactions with medications need monitoring.
Mood disorders particularly risk swings when changing neurochemical environment.
Any detox protocol must be gentle and monitored to avoid “detox reactions.”
Not every patient will respond; expectations must be realistic.
Proper clinical oversight is mandatory.
6. Final Thoughts & Hope
JJ: As a closing, Dr. Wallach, what is your message of hope for people suffering or caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s, bipolar, depression, anxiety?
JW: My core message: Your body is faithful, if given the chance. These conditions are not curses—they are calls for correction and care. No, I don’t guarantee full cures in every case. But I’ve seen people regain clarity, mood stability, memory, quality of life. The road is not easy, it demands consistency, patience, humility, and a holistic vision. But healing is possible, at multiple levels—biochemical, emotional, spiritual.
EC: That is beautiful. Thank you, Dr. Wallach, for your insights and for pushing the boundary of what is medically accepted.
Interview: Holistic Nurse Erica Carmen Interviews Dr. Joel Wallach on MS
Setting: A cozy consultation room bathed in soft morning light. Erica Carmen, wearing a nurse’s tunic embroidered with a caduceus and a lotus, sits across from Dr. Wallach. A chart of the nervous system, and a shelf of supplement bottles and books, lies between them.
Erica Carmen (EC):
Dr. Wallach, thank you for meeting with me today. MS is a condition that terrifies many of my patients—we see demyelination, neurological decline, remissions and relapses. From your perspective, how should we understand MS in a holistic way?
Dr. Wallach (JW): Thank you, Erica. I see MS not as a mystery, but as a signal—a chronic deficiency and a miscommunication in the body’s repair systems. Demyelination is the outward sign; the cause is internal: nutrient deficiencies, toxic burden, impaired detoxification, and unheeded electrical and ionic imbalances.
We must think of the nervous system as an electrical wiring system. The myelin sheath is insulation, and if you short circuit the system by nutrient depletion or interfering toxins, the insulation breaks down, and signals misfire. That’s what we see in MS.
EC: Conventional neurology points to autoimmune attack—immune cells crossing the blood–brain barrier and attacking myelin. How do you reconcile that with your model?
JW: Autoimmunity is a symptom, not the root. The immune system is reactive—it doesn’t attack without cause. When nerve tissue is under stress from oxidative damage, mineral deficiencies, heavy metals, or viral insults, the immune system is trying to clean up debris and repair. But if the repair materials are missing, it mistakenly “attacks” what it sees as damaged tissue.
So in MS, part of what is called “autoimmune attack” is more like cleanup crews gone awry because the building blocks for repair aren’t delivered.
EC: What are the key nutritional deficiencies you see in MS patients?
JW: In my experience, several stand out:
Magnesium: Vital for nerve conduction, mitochondrial function, ion channels.
Selenium: Important for glutathione peroxidase, detox, and protecting neurons from oxidative stress.
B-complex vitamins (especially B12, B6, folic acid): Needed for methylation, nerve repair, and myelin synthesis.
Zinc and Copper balance: Both are required; imbalance can impair CNS repair.
Essential fatty acids (omega-3s, EPA/DHA): Myelin is largely lipid; you need quality fats.
Trace minerals (molybdenum, manganese, chromium, vanadium, etc.): These support enzymatic systems throughout the body, including in the brain.
Choline, inositol: For phospholipids and membrane integrity.
Antioxidants (vitamin C, E, glutathione precursors): To fight oxidative stress in the brain.
All these, when chronically low, degrade the capacity of neurons to maintain myelin and repair damage.
EC: How would you propose an intervention protocol—nutrition, detox, therapies—for someone with early MS symptoms?
JW: Here’s a rough, holistic roadmap (always tailored clinically):
Comprehensive assessment
Blood tests for mineral levels, vitamins, heavy metals, inflammatory markers.
Diet: whole foods, no processed sugars, low toxin foods.
Correct acid–alkaline balance, avoid overburdening the system.
Over months, you would aim for remission, repair, and stabilization. In some patients, I’ve seen improvements in sensation, coordination, and reduction of relapse frequency.
EC: Do you believe reversal of MS is possible—i.e. patients regaining lost function?
JW: Yes—with caveats. The earlier the intervention, the better. If nerve fibers are destroyed beyond repair or large areas of scarring exist, full reversal is unlikely. But I have observed partial recovery, restoration of function, reduction of lesions (in imaging), and improvement in neurological symptoms in many cases when the protocol is followed diligently.
The body is a living miracle, and I believe given what it needs, it will attempt repair.
EC: Skeptics will demand clinical trials, double-blind studies, evidence. How do you respond?
JW: I welcome rigorous science. But the obstacle is this: nutrient medicine can’t be patented the way drugs can. So there is less financial incentive for big trials. Also, trials often test one intervention at a time, while real healing is multifactorial—you can’t isolate one vitamin and expect a cure.
I say: look at case studies, observational data, patient stories. And push for holistic clinical trials that test full protocols, not single agents. Meanwhile, patients with MS need tools now, not waiting.
EC: What would you tell a patient right now facing an MS diagnosis? What is the message of hope?
JW: You are not doomed. Your body is calling you—for help, for partners in healing. MS is a signal, not a sentence. Begin feeding, detoxing, strengthening. Embrace faith, mental resilience, and commit to restoration. Small steps compound. Over time, with consistency, you can reclaim more than you think.
[Setting: A café terrace in Vancouver. It’s late afternoon. The three are sipping coffee while scrolling through news about the looming government shutdown.]
Maximus: (leaning back, half-smiling) If the government really shuts down, maybe—just maybe—we’ll be in paradise soon. Elysium on Earth. A world without bureaucrats, no forms, no taxes. Just people free again.
Ante Bosko: (chuckles, stirring his espresso) You’re talking like Marcus Aurelius on a bad day. I’ve seen what happens when systems collapse—empty shelves, no security, chaos. Doesn’t sound like Elysium to me, bro.
Erica: (raising an eyebrow) Yeah, paradise without garbage pickup, hospitals, or passports? I think your “heaven” would start smelling real bad, real quick.
Maximus: (grinning wider) You two think too small. When the state falls, communities rise. People actually help each other instead of waiting for some department to save them. No lobbyists, no corruption, no wars for profit.
Ante Bosko: And no paychecks, no pensions, no border control. Elysium might look more like Mad Max than Maximus.
Erica: (laughing) Maximus in the Thunderdome. That’s a movie I’d watch.
Maximus: (shrugs, dreamy tone) Call me idealistic, but I’d rather risk a little chaos for a shot at real freedom. Maybe paradise isn’t clean or comfortable—maybe it’s just honest.
Ante Bosko: (softly) Or maybe paradise is the idea of government working right, not vanishing. But hey… if it shuts down, we’ll see who’s right soon enough.
ocean microplastics pollution circle concept. vector illustration.
Dr. Luka Kovač, the brilliant yet brooding emergency room physician, takes a deep breath before addressing the camera, his Croatian accent lending a weight of authority to his words.
“Microplastics are everywhere—our water, our food, even in the air we breathe. If you want to minimize your exposure, you must be disciplined. Here’s what I do:”
Drink filtered water – “I don’t trust bottled water. It’s ironic, but many plastic bottles release microplastics into the very water they contain. I use a high-quality water filter at home and carry a stainless-steel bottle.”
Avoid plastic food containers – “Microwaving food in plastic is a mistake. Heat accelerates the release of microplastics into your food. Use glass, stainless steel, or ceramic whenever possible.”
Eat whole, unprocessed foods – “Highly processed foods often have more microplastic contamination from packaging and industrial processing. Fresh produce and homemade meals are safer.”
Be mindful of seafood consumption – “Fish and shellfish, especially those that feed near the ocean surface, are loaded with microplastics. If you eat seafood, choose wisely, and don’t overdo it.”
Choose natural fabrics – “Polyester and synthetic fibers shed microplastics when washed. Wear cotton, wool, or linen instead. If you must use synthetics, wash them in a special filter bag.”
Reduce overall plastic use – “Less plastic in your life means less chance for exposure. Avoid plastic cutlery, straws, and cheap plastic kitchenware.”
Vacuum and dust regularly – “Microplastics settle in household dust. A clean home is a healthier home. Trust me, I’ve treated too many respiratory issues to ignore this.”
Dr. Kovač leans forward, his gaze intense. “These are small steps, but they add up. In medicine, we always talk about risk reduction—this is no different. Take control where you can. Your body will thank you.”
He sighs, then offers a small, weary smile. “And if all else fails… move to a remote Croatian island. But even there, the plastics wash up on shore. We have nowhere to run. So, we fight.”
There’s a small village in Italy where 300 of its residents are over 100 years old. For the first time, residents are letting scientists research why their life span is so long.
Sponsor Message
KELLY MCEVERS, HOST:
Researchers think they might have found the secret to living a long and happy life, and it lies in a southern Italian village along the Mediterranean. It’s called Acciaroli. About a third of the people who live there – roughly 300 – are more than 100 years old.
ALAN MAISEL: Out of those ones that are over 100, we’re not sure exactly, but we think about 20 percent have reached 110 years of age.
AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:
That’s Dr. Alan Maisel. He’s a cardiologist at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. He’s part of a joint U.S.-Italian research team launching a long-term study of the centenarians of Acciaroli. They want to figure out why so many of them are living so long.
MCEVERS: Maisel has traveled to the village and says people there don’t seem to be trying very hard to stay healthy.
MAISEL: What shocked me is that I don’t see people jogging. I do not see people in active exercise classes. I don’t see them swimming laps in the ocean.
MCEVERS: In fact, he says, many of the elderly residents of Acciaroli are smokers and overweight.
CORNISH: How can that be? Well, Maisel suspects it’s a combination of good genes and good diet.
MAISEL: Everybody ate anchovies. Now, you know, I actually like anchovies on my Caesar salad, but I never thought they would help me live to be 110. But they seem to eat it with every meal.
CORNISH: And another big part of their diet…
MAISEL: Also, every meal they have the plant rosemary in almost everything they cook with. Whatever form they put it in has been shown in scientific studies to reduce cognitive and prevent cognitive dysfunction and some aging.
MCEVERS: Add to this a glass of good, Italian wine and a heavy dash of leisure…
MAISEL: In the evenings, in the late afternoon, they’re all sitting around the cantinas, the restaurants. They’re having some wine, some coffee. They’re relaxed.
CORNISH: Over the next six months, Maisel and his research team will analyze every aspect of the lives of this group collecting blood samples, tracking genealogy and monitoring exercise. As for Maisel, he has a personal goal for his next visit to the village.
MAISEL: I want to find the oldest person, and I want to have a drink with them. And then I want to – as they said in “When Harry Met Sally” – I’ll have what they’re having.
