There have been some interesting studies lately on how to increase your life span. Some of the studies seem counterintuitive, some seem rather harsh and some are common sense. Some of the studies are on mice and have not progressed to human studies yet.Caloric restriction, a forever diet, has shown to stave off age related diseases in mice and monkeys. The conclusion being that if the age related diseases are not present the person could live longer. I of course ask, “Are they happy being on a permanent diet?” http://www.longevitymeme.org/topics/calorie_restriction.cfm
Another study surprisingly finds people who only get 5 to 6.5 hours of sleep a night live longer. Those who get less and 5 and more than 6.5 had a mortality rate increase of 2-4 times as those in the optimum sleep level. I of course ask “Who wants to live longer if you are tired all the time?” http://www.journalsleep.org/ViewAbstract.aspx?pid=27780
Obviously no smoking, wear your seat belt, bike helmet and do everything in moderation is common sense. Get regular health and dental check-ups is helpful. Have a social group of friends and or family for optimum mental health.
Would you like to live to be 100? What if you cannot say, “If I have good health and all my mental abilities”? Would you go for triple digits? If I grew up in a time when the life span was normal to be 100 would I do things differently? Would I pace my knees exposure to skiing only after 35 instead of 15? Would I never wear high heels to save my legs from shortened tendons? It is interesting questions to ponder. I can’t have a redo so I am happy with life as long as it goes but what about you?
4 comments:
I love your responses to all the ways to live to 100. They echo what I found myself asking.
The whole question of quantity vs. quality reminds me of a discussion my Dad and I had after his emergency triple bypass surgery. He said the doctor told him to give up beer, fine. The doctor told him to walk 3 miles a few times a week, fine. The doctor told him to give up cheese, he said what's the point of living?
You make a good point about quality of life. It is different for all people and for your Dad it is the cheese that is the turning point! Thanks Nicole.
Interesting post. This is actually something my sister and I talk about frequently since we are very into natural health and eating organic. She always says, God gave us 120 years.
I personally want to live to 100 but wonder if it's possible now-a-days when people are dying younger and younger from so many unfortunate illnesses, including cancer.
No thank you to diets or regulated sleeping. I am hoping my methods of eating organic, supporting local farmers, taking natural supplements, excercising and avoiding genetically modified or processed food is going to work for me to get to the triple digits.
Thanks!
Denisse you are on the right track and the right attitude! Thanks for your comments.
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