They say that about 2,200 years ago when the Qin Emperor, the first man to unify China and establish his own dynasty, was nearing 40 years of age, he felt that age was beginning to affect his health and he worried that this would weaken his hold on power. He therefore sent Xu Fu, a court alchemist, across the seas in search of an elixir of immortality. But Xu Fu did not return from his quest, and the Qin Emperor, though master of a great empire, died like other men.

Must the beauty of youth fade with age? With a little help from technology, modern people are battling nature to keep their youthful glow.

If Xu Fu were to return today, one can imagine him carrying with him a great bag full of "immortality pills": vitamins, hormones, antioxidants and placental extracts.

The key to controlling aging is everyday health care. As such, a good attitude towards life is essential. The picture shows the "Universal Exercises" of Chuang Shu-chi, known for her use of diet to treat cancer.

Heroes gray and beauties fade. This has always been one of life's difficult truths. Even today, people expend a tremendous amount of effort and money on the quest for "eternal youth." But in the long journey from the medicines, breathing regimens and spiritual practices of the past to the advanced medical technology of today, we seem to have made progress in our efforts to control aging.

"My metabolism seemed to come to a sudden stop. I wasn't eating any more than before, but the needle on the scale kept pointing where it shouldn't. I found my first gray hairs. Looking in the mirror, I saw crow's feet which came from I know not where. My dentist also warned me about receding gums. . . . What's happening to me?"

Life's potential should be continuously explored. Today's gray community takes pleasure in learning and growing.

We are seeing more and more of such despairing cries in the media of late. Members of the medical community, too, constantly warn us: "obesity, hair loss, loss of physical and sexual potency, difficulties in urinating, insomnia, migraine headaches. . . the symptoms of aging begin to appear after the age of 40." They also tell us: "The age of 30 is the body's 'continental divide,' its peak. It's all downhill from there." Some even go so far as to say, "Aging begins at 25 when the body stops growing." The media, advertising and new scientific research and medicines all encourage us to act early to slow the aging process and preserve our youth. Taking action against aging

In everyday life, people do everything they can-from regulating their diet, exercising and making changes in their life-styles to taking medications and even undergoing plastic surgery-in their struggle with nature to maintain their health and youthful appearance.

New cosmetics which guarantee to preserve one's youthful glow forever are constantly replacing old on department store shelves. There are also an ever-growing number of health-food products available to consumers. In fact, it is estimated that in 1998 Taiwanese consumed NT$20 billion worth of such products. On TV, too, we are confronted with ad after ad showing good-looking men and women embracing exercise equipment, prompting us to get up off our sofas and hit the gym. And in Taipei, a number of anti-aging clinics which use advanced machines to maintain their clients' youth and beauty have recently appeared. Faced with such anecdotal evidence, is it any wonder that some people feel there has never before been a period in human history in which people spent so much money and energy in the fight against aging?

The US bestseller The Popcorn Report, which analyzes trends in society, mentions a major global trend towards the idea of "old in body, young at heart." People are abandoning old conceptions of the meaning of their physiological age and bravely exploring all of life's possibilities, living and growing in accordance with their hopes, dreams, desires and changes of circumstance.

Looking at modern society, we see a dramatic increase in the number of middle-aged persons returning to school, women who are past menopause having children, senior athletes still performing well, and middle-aged TV and movie stars posing for nude photographs. In the US, the 77-year-old John Glenn attracted the world's attention when he returned to space last year. . . .

Traditional Chinese society valued the wisdom of age. Chinese martial arts, which have been heavily promoted in recent years, have long played an important role in keeping people young.

Since World War II, advances in medical technology and improved living conditions mean that, on average, people are living longer, healthier lives than they used to. In Taiwan, 40 years of economic development mean that most people are now fairly well-off, with nice clothing and plenty to eat. Before World War II, the average life expectancy on Taiwan was 40-some years. Now it exceeds 70, putting it on a par with the advanced nations of the world. As such, resisting the ravages of age has become an issue of interest to all of society.It's your choice

"Actually, the biological clock and aging process run at very different speeds for different people," says Dr. Shieh Ying-hua, who is both director of the department of family medicine at the Taipei Medical College Hospital and president of the Chinese Association of Care of the Elderly. Dr. Shieh says that medical research has revealed many factors which affect aging, one of the most important of which is heredity. The age at which our hair begins to gray and our skin loses elasticity is related to our genetic background; balding is a trait passed to a boy by his maternal grandfather; and there are also some forms of age-related hearing loss, rheumatism, osteoporosis and heart disease which appear across family medical histories.

People may not be able to escape their hereditary fate, but they can make choices about lifestyle and habits, which are also factors affecting the speed at which we age. Examples abound. Sunbathing ages the skin and dries out the hair. Anxiety often leads to gray hair and heart disease. A fatty diet not only causes weight gain among persons in their middle years, but can also damage the blood vessels of the heart and increase the risk of cancer. Lack of exercise allows our muscles to weaken and can lead to obesity and joint problems. Smoking causes cancer, wrinkles the skin of the face and can lead to hardening of the arteries. In short, our day-to-day activities are etched in our very flesh.

"Even people with just a little bit of medical knowledge know that many chronic congenital illnesses and conditions can be prevented or controlled through diet and a healthy life-style," says Dr. Shieh. He says that among the factors linked to cardiovascular disease, one of the principal causes of death on Taiwan, are obesity and lack of exercise. As a result, while doctors treat it with medication, they also recommend the patient change his eating habits and get appropriate exercise.Looking for the key to aging

People may be living longer, but scientists are still working to more fully understand and even overcome the aging process.

With the advance of medical techniques, some illnesses which were once thought to come with the territory of old age are now no longer viewed as "killers" of the elderly. For example, 10-15% of persons over the age of 65 and nearly everyone over the age of 85 is afflicted with some form of senile dementia. However, recent research has revealed that senile dementia is not a result of aging, but is an illness which can be prevented. Some methods of treatment have also been discovered, including one employing an extract made from the leaves of the gingko.

"Gingko was originally used to boost the circulation of blood in the capillaries of the elderly. It was later discovered that it is useful in stimulating the growth and division of brain cells," says Dr. Wu Rong-tsun, director of the Research Center for Drug Discovery at National Yang-Ming University. Dr. Wu notes that in traditional Chinese medicine, gingko is thought of as a powerful medicine. This discovery of its ability to stimulate brain cells has encouraged him to search ancient Chinese medical texts for other medications to combat aging.

The National Science Council has invited Dr. Wu to research traditional Chinese herbal medicines to find those with components which may be useful in dealing with the effects of aging. This is part of the government's long-term goal of creating a local biotechnology industry to follow up on the success of the local semiconductor industry.The shadow of menopause

Over the last few years, researchers have discovered some of the culprits which cause degeneration of the body's functions and aging, including loss of balance in the endocrine system, inadequate resistance to oxidants and weakening of the immune system. The medical community, in turn, has used this research to develop several treatments.

Dr. Wang Kuei-liang founded the An-Fa Anti-Aging Clinic, Taiwan's first such clinic, five years ago. According to Dr. Wang, of the products of the endocrine system, it is hormones which have the most obvious effect on aging. For example, when women reach menopause, the secretion of some hormones drops significantly. This may lead to symptoms such as hot flashes, heart palpitations, dizziness, sweating, moodiness, atrophying of the breasts and difficulty in urination. Not only does this make one physically uncomfortable, but often leads to depression and feelings that one's youth is gone. Menopause is the most commonly recognized indicator of aging in women.

Though the changes in men are not so apparent, they also go through a kind of menopause. Aging men also see a drop in hormone secretions. "Symptoms include sweating and headaches related to contraction of the blood vessels; anxiety, irritability, depression and sleeplessness related to psychological factors; exhaustion and constipation linked to physical condition; and problems with frequent urination and reduced libido." Dr. Wang states that these symptoms have no less of a psychological impact on men than the corresponding symptoms do on women. Aging and stress pertaining to sexual activity are particularly serious challenges, both physically and psychologically.Free radicals

The effects of oxidation are another "slayer" of youth. Research has revealed that human metabolic processes produce something known as a "free radical." These free radicals cause a kind of oxidation which damages normal cells and weakens the body's immune response. This can lead to illness, aging and even death. Free radicals have also been implicated as a possible cause of cancer.

After observing the effects that hormones and oxidants have on cells, the medical community believes that if the endocrine system is kept in balance and the body's ability to resist oxidants is raised, allowing it to eliminate free radicals, aging can be fought.

"Clinical practice has demonstrated that appropriate levels of hormone supplements, antioxidants and immune-system-boosting vitamins keep the body functioning optimally and naturally provide a youthful glow. It's like regaining one's youth," says Dr. Wang, a former director of the surgical ward of Chang Gung Children's Hospital. He states that in Europe geriatric medicine focused on controlling aging long ago developed into a full-fledged specialization providing full medical services, and that this field is now being introduced into Taiwan.

These expensive anti-aging therapies begin with a thorough physical evaluation. In addition to a standard check-up, such an evaluation examines the extent to which aging has affected bodily functions; hormone, blood sugar, cholesterol and mineral levels, as well as resistance to oxidants, bone density and organ function are all checked. An appropriate anti-aging regimen is then developed based on the results of these tests. To keep the patient in optimal health, a follow-up examination is administered every two to three months thereafter, and the therapy is adjusted accordingly.

Dr. Wang excitedly points out that modern research into cellular DNA has indicated that people have a potential life expectancy of 120 years, and that this figure closely mirrors the 120 years mentioned in Taoist health theories. Dr. Wang also states that as gene therapies become more advanced, our potential life expectancy could see a further dramatic increase. He says that in the future medical practice could be dominated by geriatric medicine.Gone forever?

Though medical technology may be the hoped-for fountain of youth, some worry about the many strange products available on the market. Common surgical procedures include face lifts, liposuction and removal of bags under the eyes; anti-aging health foods abound; and lately injections of placental cells or living cells have come to be viewed as a means of speeding up cellular regeneration. Now the medical community is also becoming concerned.

Especially with regard to pharmaceuticals, Dr. Shieh believes that if one takes care of one's body early on, the aging process can be slowed. On the other hand, if medications are abused, the aging process may proceed more quickly. For example, Taiwanese people have the idea that one treats illness when one is sick, and strengthens the body when one is healthy. However, this leads them to frequently consume over-the-counter medications containing steroids, long-term consumption of which can lead to side effects which include digestive ulcers, swelling and high blood pressure. More seriously, it can also result in liver damage.

In the case of vitamins, hormones and antioxidants, in spite of medical evidence which indicates they have salubrious effects on the body, their use is a contentious issue in the healthcare community. For example, a few years ago vitamin E was a popular supplement. People said that it improved bloodflow, gave one smooth skin and was an antioxidant. Unfortunately, vitamin E is fat soluble. Hence, if someone consumes a lot, it can accumulate to toxic levels in the body.

Li Tse-yao, a doctor in the Ob-Gyn ward at National Taiwan University Hospital, reminds women that although hormone therapy can ameliorate a number of uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause, research has also demonstrated that long-term use increases the risk of contracting ovarian and breast cancers, and can also interfere with liver function. If the dosage is too high, women in their 60s may experience menstruation and weight gain. Dr. Li therefore encourages women to evaluate the risks before undergoing therapy.

With regard to antioxidants, a paper detailing their character and effects written by Hao Lung-pin, a former professor in the Graduate Institute of Food Science and Technology at National Taiwan University (NTU) and currently a member of the Legislative Yuan, states: "The body, by a mysterious mechanism, uses the biological effect of certain antioxidants to destroy or break down free radicals. It then expels them."

Hao says that there are two kinds of antioxidants within the body. The first are linked to vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene. The body acquires them from our diet. The second variety, however, are acids formed from proteins. These must be produced by the body itself in order to be effective. We simply need to consume enough fish, meat, eggs and dairy products to provide the body with the raw materials, and the body will do the rest. "There are currently a number of antioxidant acids on the market which claim to rid the body of free radicals and prevent aging. But these are, in fact, useless. They are broken down in the stomach and [the resulting compounds] have no antioxidant effects."Aging gracefully

"Actually, controlling aging doesn't mean rejecting aging. It means healthy, successful aging." Dr. Wang says, "Aging is a natural, gradual, lifelong process. It is not the complete loss of one's health and beauty within a very short period. What we can do is ameliorate damage such as that caused by illness, and give life greater meaning."

But imagine a world filled with people over 100 years old. If our developments are only technological, if we don't also make appropriate changes in our social structure, psychologies and lives, longer lives will likely mean greater problems.

If you could live for 150 years, what would you do with your potentially very long retirement? Can our world, with its nearly exhausted resources, support an even larger population? How should space for leisure activities be allocated? What about medical resources? And then there is the most practical question-How do you plan your personal finances?

The Taoist view of death may be worth considering. It emphasizes aging with one's health intact and dying without illness, not lingering on and on in sickness. At the end of last year the Fupao Youyi Cultural Foundation invited Chang Ly-yun from the Academia Sinica and Joanne Lin of Ming Chuan College to conduct a survey comparing the attitudes of the elderly and middle-aged persons in Taipei and Kaohsiung vis-a-vis their arrangements and hopes for their golden years. Their report revealed that more than 70% of middle-aged persons are worried about health problems in their later years. They feel that they need accurate healthcare information in order to build a healthy lifestyle and conserve their bodies' limited health resources. They also feel a strong need for support from the social and health welfare systems in the form of in-home nursing and community medical networks.

The report recommends that either the government or private medical institutions and volunteer organizations address these needs by promoting "health maintenance classes" designed for those in their middle years. These classes would provide accurate healthcare information which would allow people to age with both their health and peace of mind.

The study also suggests: "The government ought to be more active in doing things like sending people to visit the elderly in their homes, having neighborhood chiefs deliver information on leisure activities to their homes and encouraging the electronic media to broadcast such information. The goal of such activities would be to get healthy elderly people out of their homes and into society."Knowing one's fate

Controlling aging is not an exclusively physical process. Psychology, too, affects the speed at which we age. If we feel old, as if we are not respected and are incapable of doing anything, we quickly find ourselves on the road to depression. If we feel aged, it is easy to become the stereotype of an elderly person-self-absorbed, dissatisfied and inflexible. This is likely to make us still more depressed.

In the first issue of Common Health, a new magazine focusing on healthcare issues, the cover story featured Wang Yung-ching, chairman of the Formosa Plastics Group. The magazine talked to the 83-year-old Wang about the healthcare secrets which allow him to still lead his employees on five-kilometer runs at company sporting events. Wang claims his secrets to be: eating light, living an orderly life, regular exercise and unceasing ambition.

It is certainly true that many people maintain their youthful vigor and flexibility well into old age. And as the years pile up, so does experience. Our thinking matures and we are able to act in a more rational manner to take care of our bodies. We no longer eat and drink to excess, nor do we live the disorderly lives we lived when we were younger. As we age, we can use the experience and wisdom we have acquired to make up for what we've lost in strength, and to benefit our families and society.

Isn't this the very way in which Confucius described the course of life? As iron-thewed youngsters with hot blood coursing through our veins, our exuberance leaves no room for doubts. Youth is followed by our wiser middle years in which we understand something of our fate. In our last years, we follow our desires, but do not lose ourselves within them. Such later years punctuate the end of life's course with a perfectly rounded full stop.