Cleaning up your environment does not mean being obsessive,
which can introduce even more damaging stress. Just do your best to
make your environment clean and safe. This, coupled with adequate
intake of antioxidants and a regular aerobic exercise program, will
help keep oxidative stress from speeding up your aging process. In
time we all will age. The trick is to do so gracefully and healthfully.
Prescription drugs are also chemicals commonly given to the eld-
erly in excess as we see in the case of musician Johnny Cash.
Johnny Cash — Health, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll
A flood of media reports and even a feature-length film have
appeared about Johnny Cash since his death in 2003. Many of these
accounts have mentioned, highlighted or otherwise brought to light
his many health problems. References to his health problems even
appear in his own music, including the very last song he wrote about
his difficulty in getting a good breath — a tune called “Asthma Like
the 309.” I was privileged to be with Johnny Cash when this song, the
last of a life too short, was written.
My association with Johnny began soon after the death of his wife
June Carter Cash. Johnny’s health had been failing and was now
worsening. He asked me for help in restoring as much health as pos-
sible and bring him back to life so he could complete his mission.
I explained to him initially that there are many things that can be
done to help enhance the life of someone so ill — improve blood-
sugar regulation, muscle function and brain function including
vision, increase movement and help the voice and creative drive. I
devised a strategy to improve his diet, stimulate his physical and
mental capacities, and set goals, including playing and writing music
— things Johnny had not done in a long while. To him, the idea he
could improve his health and human performance, and accomplish
more at this point in his life was exciting.
However, for me, the task would be quite difficult. This was not
because he was so frail, or because Johnny had many years of well-
publicized substance abuse, especially pills and alcohol. In fact, he
had not used illicit drugs or alcohol for many years. Rather, the
biggest challenge I faced was integrating my philosophy of improv-
344 • IN FITNESS AND IN HEALTH