Living to 100 and Beyond: Insights from Science for Longevity
This month’s longevity tip explores the topic of living to 100, 120 and even not to die at all.
I had no idea longevity was going to become an explosive topic of interest when I became the founder of Whole Health Longevity. Longevity wasn’t a “thing” when I started out.
I basically set out to share what I’ve learned whereas investing progressively more time in little towns in southern Italy where populaces live long, traveling to places like the Blue Zone of Sardinia and remaining side by side of the most recent inquire about. I’m still doing that nowadays with the objective of making a difference others live way better and longer.
Today there’s a new longevity “expert,” “guru,” influencer, speaker, physician, nutritionist, researcher, and more, publishing on living long with varying conclusions. I figured I entered somewhere in the fold when my newsletter, “Longevity Tips” caught the attention of the prolific author of ” Long Youthspan,” John Bejakovic endorsing my “Longevity Tips.”
The truth is, what we are learning about the biochemistry of the body while the longest living populations seemed to have cracked the code in a very natural way of living.
While our health is not solely destined by our genes, our lifestyle can change the expression of our genes. It’s called epigenetics.
Caloric restriction might extend longevity in humans since it does so in many species but there are no human studies proving it works in humans.
In spite of a few popular life span “masters” claiming to develop more youthful, the as it were way to develop more youthful is to perform the incomprehensible accomplishment of supplanting all cells, tissues and organs to outwit the maturing handle.
The prospects of humans living forever are as unlikely as it is today as it’s ever been.
While private labs, independent research and the pharmaceutical industry search for answers to living longer (or living forever) there are simple ways to keep our biological clocks running smoothly and achieving longevity.
Exercise. Physical activity turns on pathways that stimulate our cells and produce tissue and organs ranging from our muscles to our brain.
Sleep. Sleep deprivation increases the risk of many diseases including cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Lack of sleep does this by altering important repair systems needed to repair damage to our cells.
Diet – avoiding fast food, processed meat and eating moderately. The author Michael Pollan’s advice is simple enough – “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.”
Sounds like the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle? Answer: yes.
I’m always encouraged knowing there are simple ways to achieve longevity. They only require attention and willingness to adopt.
In a matter of days, I will soon travel with a group of 19 others for this spring’s “Authentic Italy” experience immersed in the wonderful lifestyle of longevity and return home with new perspectives on living life well.
Photos from a sample of places we’ll visit are below. Follow us along on our itinerary here.
That’s it for now…see you next month.
