Safara Fisher

David Murdock

In an article on page 20 of the March 6, 2011 edition of The New York Times Magazine entitled “Death Takes A Rain Check” by Frank Bruni the subheading reads “How many blueberries does it take to keep the grim reaper away? An 87-year-old billionaire’s quest to live forever-or at least to 125.”

This article talks about a man by the name of David Murdock owner of Dole Food Company, Inc., who due to his extreme fortune has been able to turn his estate into a lab to look at how plants when eaten in the right amount and variety can extend one’s lifespan. He has all the latest equipment and a team of scientist and lab technicians that are testing such fruits as blueberries for their molecular structure and compounds for their medical properties and health benefits in the effort to find out how they can help combat obesity and illnesses such as cancer.

He lost his wife to cancer which started him on this journey and from which has sprung his personal lifelong commitment to health and longevity.   In addition he built the California Health and Longevity Institute aimed at cancer prevention and treatment with a complementary and alternative medical treatment facility including a spa and nutrition counseling including hands-on-healthy cooking demonstrations.   Visiting the website I found they also include mind and body work as part of their treatment.  They have what they call Life Balancing Programs.  The programs focus on a range of topics towards building healthy mind and body connections from developing personal habits for handling stress, building fun and passion into your life while realizing your desires to how to create more joy in your life. Mr Murdock takes equally good care of himself eating a full range of fruits and vegetables while making sure to get adequate sun and exposes himself to medicines only when he absolutely has to.

While reading this article and reviewing further into his efforts I found admiration for Mr. Murdock.  Here is a man who could easily have taken the billions of dollars he has collected through the years and be spending it unnecessarily.  That is not to say he hasn’t indulged in his own lifestyle (he has an extensive collection of rare animals on his property, private jet and several homes) but in channeling his fortunes to a cause he has taken his personal interest in health and nutrition and built a scientific response to the thousands of drug and medical facilities that monopolize how we treat illnesses in this country.  We need more people like Mr. Murdock to fund efforts towards alternative methods of treatment.  The fact of the matter is that Mr. Murdock through his wealth and therefore affluent social and political power creates an avenue for change, a call to the community to collectively address health from a growing medical perspective that has established the fact that the mind and body are connected and our Mother Earth is a healing force from which we can gain countless healing properties to further assist us in creating and maintaining a balanced life.  To learn more about Mr. Murdock and his center you can go to the California Health and Longevity Institute  and check out  other bloggers who have attended their Dole Food Wellness Blogger Summit at their headquarters in California, sounds like a good opportunity to connect with other healthy food people and share a salad!