The accumulation of iron and other heavy metals, and of unsaturated fats, and the progressive loss of copper under the influence of the stress of darkness, are probably the central events in the process of aging.
For about 50 years, it has been known that blood transfusions damage immunity, and excess iron has been suspected to be one of the causes for this. People who regularly donate blood, on the other hand, have often been found to be healthier than non-donors, and healthier than they were before they began donating.
1) RP mentions briefly that regular phlebotomy (blood removal, eg by blood donation) is beneficial to reduce iron. I understand donating dilutes the serum iron, but what happens to iron stores in the liver?
2) Is the damage caused to veins in the process (phlebotomy every 2 or 3 months) problematic? I often hear that repeated need insertion causes damage (eg in drug users). It seems like its related to frequency, so do it heal properly over time? I also read anecdotal opinions that donating might be bad because it also removes other beneficial things like immunity factors.
3) RP's quote on iron accumulation and loss of copper makes it sounds like one has some stores of copper which empty out as we age. Does simply eating more copper replenish the stores? If it is so important, why isn't supplementing copper advocated - unless liver or oysters once a week are enough?