The suggestions in this article do not simply help you survive 100 years. They are guides to good health and an active and enjoyable life. Modern medicine has developed gimmicks to survive what used to be fatal health crises, but many of these so-called advancements, which are credited with increasing our average life span, do not result in an active, enjoyable life. Instead, they stretch out the dying process, which to my thinking is not the same as living longer. Follow these suggestions to avoid being a useless bag of ailments in your old age, and avoid as much as possible, doctors, drugs of all kinds, and medical procedures. No amount of outside intervention can compensate for the damage you do to your own body.
Chuckof OR3:32AM February 24, 2009
the fact is in my experience genes plays a big part in some people lives. my neighbor's father lived to be 86. an indian from Trinidad. alcoholic,chain smoker, eat anything he wanted,sendentary life style. no drugs for any malady. My dad and his brothers and sister's (8) of them all drank and smoked heavy. their mother chewed tobacco and drank whiskey. she died at 97. I won't argue the fact a healthy lifestyle is important. to say that genes plays no part in longevity is a disservice to your readers.
J.Burgess
j burgessof CA9:40PM February 23, 2009
It is nice to be able to attend your grandkids' college graduation, but can you run up the stage swiftly to click a close-up photo without losing your breath?
I believe logevity has to be enjoyed and not to be a drag-on.
joseph wangof VA7:34PM February 23, 2009
Excellent.
"it's important to cherish the body that's on loan from God"
We are stewards of whatever we have -- our bodies, talents and successes. We brought nothing into the world when we were born and we shall not be able to take along anything material when we leave the world, to meet our Maker.
The older people can also be actively involved in NGOs that promote healthy living and care of the environment. If the environment goes down, ultimately our quality of life and health will be affected.
John6:48PM February 23, 2009
Longevity for the sake of staying on Earth as a dependent, resource sucking burden on others is not my idea of a good life. Help, I've fallen and can't get up. I can't ride my bike, or tour the countryside and mountain roads on my Harley. I could no longer drive, ski, snowboard, run, jump, or have sex. What a great life to look forward to, so I could be 100! My dad lived to be 90, with the last 2 years bed ridden and sucking up his life savings and family contributions - and I can't say he was happy, aware, fulfilled, or capable of doing anything - even simple things he did before he deteriorated and became too old. Would he have wanted to live to 100 under those circumstances? Possibly. But I for one would not have wanted to fill those shoes. Give me 80 years of independence, relative pain free days with my physical, emotional and mental wits about me - and let me die peacefully before I become a burden on my surviving children. That's plenty.
Tony Leeof CA6:29PM February 23, 2009
Excellent advice in every respect. Of the food types selected, consider eating less of every thing and limiting animal protein to principal fish but in any case only one four ounce serving per day. See the website of the Calorie Restriction Society to learn more. Also, the jury is not completely out on Supplements. There is much evidence that supplementing does make a difference. And it can't hurt. See the Life Extensions Foundation website.
Alvin Ringof FL3:57PM February 23, 2009
Excellent advice in every respect. Of the food types selected, consider eating less of every thing and limiting animal protein to principal fish but in any case only one four ounce serving per day. See the website of the Calorie Restriction Society to learn more. Also, the jury is not completely out on Supplements. There is much evidence that supplementing does make a difference. And it can't hurt. See the Life Extensions Foundation website.
Alvin Ringof FL3:56PM February 23, 2009
This is an excellent article by Deborah Kotz. To find out why we get such biased and unscientific health and nutrition information from agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA),read THE CHINA STUDY by T. Colin Campbell, PhD. This is the most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted.
R.J. Hammond, MDof CA3:31PM February 23, 2009
Great, simple and easy to read.
ThankX,
Kris >
Kris Portmannof TX2:24PM February 23, 2009
There's an old joke that goes like this...No one want to live to be 100. until they are 99. While this may be true or not, it is a very good idea to take care of ourselves as though we will live to be 100 or more. Good advice in this article!
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Chuck of OR 3:32AM February 24, 2009
j burgess of CA 9:40PM February 23, 2009
joseph wang of VA 7:34PM February 23, 2009
John 6:48PM February 23, 2009
Tony Lee of CA 6:29PM February 23, 2009
Alvin Ring of FL 3:57PM February 23, 2009
Alvin Ring of FL 3:56PM February 23, 2009
R.J. Hammond, MD of CA 3:31PM February 23, 2009
Kris Portmann of TX 2:24PM February 23, 2009
Ruth of OK 2:24PM February 23, 2009