Synopsis

Take 8 New Zealanders of different ages and backgrounds, expect them to make dramatic shifts in their lifestyles for 5 weeks in the name of science and this documentary is the outcome.

Leslie Kenton, award winning writer and broadcaster, asks this ‘test group’ to participate in a "clinical comparison base line study" to test her conviction that if we can prevent a thing called Syndrome X we can reverse the biological measurements of age.

It’s a journey of medical and lifestyle discovery, for both Leslie and the test group. Along the way, Leslie interviews medical practitioners, exercise physiologists, naturopaths, traditional healers and scientists to allow the group and viewers more insight into the process of aging and its reversal.

The clinically measured results of Leslie’s program on the test group, after just 5 weeks, astound even her. The documentary is a beacon of hope, indicating that through a combination of orthodox medicine and natural health practices, we may learn to prevent degenerative diseases, free up hospital waiting lists, and enjoy aging with enthusiasm, vitality and health.

Danny Mulheron - 40

A television director, Danny wanted to join the group because of a family history of high cholesterol and heart disease – and his daughter thought he was developing ‘boobies’. Within days of starting the program, his neighbor commented about the changing color of Danny’s skin, and his crew commented on his all too frequent needs for a ‘short break’ – due to the excessive water he was drinking… His wife enjoyed having her meals prepared though didn’t appreciate his zealot like adherence to the changes, but 3 weeks later, she’d joined him. On hearing his medical results at the end of 5 weeks, Danny commented that he’d gone halfway to being 20 again.

Joëlle Gregorius - 48

The owner of an early childhood center and raising three teenagers, Joëlle wanted to halt hereditary trends – her mother died young and her father died in poor health. At the beginning of the program, she was seeing her opthalmologist bi-monthly for glaucoma, was overweight and unknowingly suffered high blood pressure. Over the 5 weeks of the program, however, not only did she normalize blood pressure, she gained fitness she’d never known, reduced weight and surprised her opthalmologist. Her lifestyle has become a way of life that is now rubbing off on her staff and young charges as well as her family.

Vic Armstrong – 49

A keen triathlete of above average fitness and an apparently ‘healthy specimen’, Vic was surprised to learn at the beginning of the program that biologically he had borderline high blood pressure and a high level of body fat. Although skeptic of lifestyle changes that would ‘de-age the body’, and wary of the effect they would have on his ability to compete in his sports of cycling, kayaking and running, he fastidiously kept to the guidelines Leslie set the group. Over the program, he lost 7kgs, completed his fastest ever triathlon and continually surprised workmates with his variety of unusual lunch boxes. His present goal is to take part in the next New York marathon.

Peter Sim – 59

A bus driver, Peter was unsure about getting older, refusing to believe that age was a factor in his slowing down. He had tried many doctors and remedies to rid himself of years of pain and was keen to see whether the changes Leslie recommended would have any effect. After only 3 weeks, he noticed a rise in energy and a reduction in pain levels. Peter relished being able to eat foods he liked, and was the one to adapt many recipes to the new way of eating. These he subsequently shared with the group and is now beginning to compile a recipe book he hopes to publish.

Belinda Hodson – 38

A communications executive, Belinda wanted nothing short of a ‘permanent life change’. She suffered from food allergies and was keen to see if this program would make a difference. Religiously changing her kitchen to adapt her diet, she threw out her husband’s supply of chocolate along with the ‘bad stuff’. Over the 5 weeks, Belinda gained body strength and fitness as well as personal power – speaking out at work where once she was quiet.

Ariana Te Aomarere – 54

Ariana wanted to see if she could lose her ‘middle age love handles’ and build her muscle strength. As a body healer and teacher, she wanted to gain more power to help others. Willing to give anything a go, she entered into the spirit of the changes and shared her experiences openly with others in the group and with personal friends. She had the most exceptional shift in her fasting insulin tests, evidence that her sluggish body systems had got a wake up call and were responding.

Teri Roberts – 33

A young mother still breastfeeding, Teri’s goal was to increase her energy. Over the 5 weeks, she found that as well as increasing her energy, side benefits included reducing her fat levels and gaining a greater self confidence. She creatively found ways to both exercise and relax with her young baby. Her biggest discovery was how physical exercise and dietary changes also brought emotions and dreams long buried to the fore. The dietary changes are now a way of life for her family.

Rosie Gibson – 46

A former NZ athlete, now a student teacher, Rosie had piled on weight since the birth of her child 8 years ago. In the first days of the program, she experienced tiredness as her body adapted to the new regime of increased exercise and a changing diet. Her daughter talked of how she was always woken to the sound of the videos as her mother ‘did weight stuff’. 5 weeks later, the benefits were evident – her body shape had begun to return to that of her former athletic self.