Prevent aging

It is a sunny day after about 10 days of rain. In Göcek, preparations for the tourism season have begun alongside the New Year decorations. Boats have been hauled ashore. On one hand, painting and whitewashing, and on the other, minor repairs are being seen here and there. While the sun hangs coyly above us, the arrival of evening is felt as the air begins to cool. I look at the wall clock hanging on the wall next to the olive tree inside the Göcekiçi Restaurant hall. The hour hand is at 2 and the minute hand is at 25. I say to myself, "It shouldn't be that early," and check my phone. "It's 4:00 PM. Wall clocks are always like this. Their battery dies and the clock stays where it is. But it still shows the right time twice a day anyway," I say and smile. Saying "I must go to Bodrum now," I headed toward my car. I can only make it in time for the Solidarity Dinner of the Emekli-Sen Bodrum Branch, affiliated with DISK (Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey).

I decided to go not through the Göcek Tunnel, but via the public road. I climbed up over the tunnel, towards the Göcek ramps, into a nature smelling of sparkling energy, with streams flowing like white curls hanging between the bridal veils on the mountain slopes, and revitalized pine trees. I am going, soaking in the green and the sun.

I stopped by Bodrum Deputy Mayor Emel Çakaloğlu, who is lying in the Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Training and Research Hospital. When I enter the room, she is smiling. Before I can even say welcome or wish her a speedy recovery, she gives the good news: "Professor, my CRP is dropping. I am very well today." She is smiling. Health is important. As they say, what happened during Emel Hanım's surgery is something like a freak accident. She undergoes gallbladder surgery at the hospital where she was admitted to get rid of the pain. While the gallbladder is being removed, a stone slips into the duct and unexpected complications arise. After intensive care and repeated surgeries, what a great happiness it is to return to life and regain one's health. After saying "Give my regards to the people of Bodrum," I continued on my way.

When I entered the Bodrum Müsgebi Culture and Social Services Hall, Union President İbrahim Uzun was giving the opening speech of the night. Retirees carrying the spirit of the '68 generation had filled the hall. As I walked around the tables greeting friends, applause broke out, and together, with left fists and arms raised—the revolutionary salute—they stood and chanted slogans: "Long live the revolution. Fully independent Turkey." I joined the TÜLOV (Turkey Promotion, Democracy and Secular Formation Foundation) table. I participated in the flow of the night together with old and new TÜLOV members, including Mustafa Duru and Dr. Kerim Cangır. We had a beautiful night, singing folk songs and marches, experiencing the past and the future together.

They had not forgotten Erdal Eren, who was executed on December 13, 1980, during the September 12 Coup. "Erdal Eren is only 17 years old..." his banner with his photo was hanging behind the stage.

Some of the Union's Central Executive Board members had come from Ankara. I stopped by their table. When I asked how many members they had, they said, "...our number is high, but due to economic reasons, we have around 40,000 active members across Turkey. You know it too. Retirees cannot make ends meet; they are practically struggling to survive. In these days when the hunger threshold has reached 25,000.00 TL, the salaries of the vast majority of retirees are below half of these figures. We are trying to stay afloat." Ali Sözer, one of the former mayors of İzmir Bornova, Yatağan's new-term Mayor Mesut Günay, as well as Durmuş Ali Öztürk, Hüseyin Anıl, and other former CHP district chairs, along with the new-term district chair Tuna Işın, were the heavyweights of the night.

As the day tipped toward midnight, the number of those joining in the revolutionary marches was increasing. It was as if the spirit of the '68 generation, preparing to take to the streets for action, had thoroughly enveloped the hall.

We must carry this youthful spirit into the future by aging healthily. Aging is a law of nature. But staying healthy is our main duty and responsibility. We will protect our health to keep the revolutionary spirit alive in our country and to grow our organized power. I have 6 suggestions to delay aging.

One; Omega 3... Very important for brain, skin, and heart health. We should supplement it whenever we find the opportunity. It is especially abundant in dark-colored small fish like bonito.

Second; Astaxanthin... The world's most powerful antioxidant. It is among the substances that best delay aging. It is found most in Krill oil. Astaxanthin is generally found in abundance in aquatic organisms and dark-colored vegetables and fruits. It gives food its red color. It is especially known for giving salmon its pink-red color. Vitamin D. It should be kept around 80-100 mg. It is the main vitamin for immunity. Melatonin... An extremely important sleep hormone. It is necessary for sleep disorders. At the same time, it strengthens immunity. Fifth, Glutathione for knee and joint health... It is abundant in avocado and okra.

And we must walk and do age-appropriate movement exercises.

There is no such thing as saying "I am retired" and letting yourself go; we will win by resisting.