Morey Stettner reports for MarketWatch on the ingredients for increasing your chances of living a good long life. Follow the science around nutrition and exercise. And, while genes help, don’t assume a good long life is genetically predetermined.
Worldwide, only four in one thousand people live to 100. It’s normal for them to have a vice or two, like eating ice cream regularly or having an occasional drink. It’s all about moderation. What they tend to have in common is an upbeat perspective.
People typically live longer when they take pleasure in daily activities, such as smelling the roses and walking their dogs. They don’t sweat the small stuff, especially things that are outside their control.
“People who live longer tend to be optimistic and manage their stress well,” according to Tom Perls, M.D., Boston University School of Medicine. It’s helpful not to internalize stress.
Interestingly, a lot of people who live long lives may suffer from serious health conditions but still enjoy their lives. Many of them can live on their own, though they might have had a stroke or heart disease. Their ability to live good lives stems from their resilience and good genes.
No question that genes contribute significantly to people’s ability to have a good long life. So do healthy diets, routine exercise and a good weight. Social engagement is also extremely valuable.
Another factor contributing to whether you’ll lead a good long life is cellular senescence. In brief, some of our cells are injured, stressed or otherwise hurt as we grow older. The number of these “senescent” cells in our bodies increases with time. They can spread toxins to other cells, preventing them from functioning properly and keeping people from leading long lives. Senescent cells lead to a variety of diseases.
As we age, we also develop biomarkers which can permit comparisons between people’s chronological age and biological age. Not everyone ages at the same pace though no one yet understands why. Eventually the hope is to be able to intervene to slow down people’s biological age and extend people’s lives. For now, diet and exercise are two interventions that have been identified, but the types of exercise and foods that are best for different people are still a puzzle.
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