By its very definition, longevity means an extended life span for a person, a long period of living one’s life. What we all want if we are blessed with longevity is a healthful and prolonged life that we can be satisfied with and one that adds to our personal well being while we are enduring this luxury of additional time. As our age progresses we search for means and ways to prolong our existence and begin to alter our lifestyle to make that happen. We change our diets, quit smoking and maybe join the office softball team. We also look into taking some of those herbal remedies our spouses have been needling us to try or dietary supplements – maybe both!
Humans have long considered the prospects of longevity. There was a time only several hundred years ago when people prayed and hoped they would live long enough to see their children grow up. These days so many people are witnessing the fourth generation of their immediate clan being born. There have been stories and fairytales that centered on extreme longevity for centuries and there are more recent actual accounts of people living for extreme periods of time.
In the Bible – under Genesis – they talk about Adam and Eve living in Eden and when Eve ate that apple all bets were off for any chance at immortality; both of them being banished to an earthly existence. There is Ponce de Leon and his maddening quest for the Fountain of Youth, actually a small spring in Florida by all accounts – sorry Ponce! How about the Holy Grail, it is said that this chalice that Jesus and his apostles sipped from during the last supper would give anyone who imbibed from it an incredibly extended life.
Finally there was Gilgamesh, a ruler of Babylon who also headed out in search of immortality. His plan to remain awake for seven days and nights did not work out and his immortality was seized from him. Greek mythology is chock full of stories about immortal gods and their many escapades. Yes, there are fairy tales, fables and even scripture but in recent times we have some living legends of our own.
The region of Abkhazia located in the south of Russia in the Caucasus Mountains, it is claimed that people here have lived for up to one hundred fifty years of age. Hey, it could happen! There have been marriages reported at the age of one hundred ten years and it has been said that fatherhood was achieved at the age of one hundred thirty six years…those crazy Russians, right? I mean the Soviets have actually said that one of the citizens of this area by the name of Shirali Muslimov lived to ripe old age of one hundred sixty eight years young! They must be kidding, right?
More recently there have been observers actually living with a population of tribe’s people known as the Hunza’s, in the Hunza Valley of rural Pakistan. These folks claimed to see people living quite healthy lives well past the century mark. It is not uncommon to see elders aged ninety years to one hundred twenty years of age actively participating in village life. Their diet is one of fruits, grains and vegetables, all of which they grow on their own and harvest for everyone’s benefit.
There is an increase in awareness concerning longevity. More physicians than ever are promoting therapies, drugs and services that claim to assist in life extension and healthy longevity. Some medical personnel have gone out on a limb to spread the word about the amazing properties of red wine, green tea and other herbs in pill form – all claiming to increase longevity and health in general. When all the promotion ceases and media reports die down for the latest anti aging breakthroughs, all things revert back to the things we ALL have known for some time. If we want to live a longer healthier life we need to practice the basics, alter our lifestyle if necessary, get more physical activity, decrease our stress and eat a better diet.
Of all of these, the most important thing you can do to increase your longevity is to get more adequate exercise. If until now you have lived a sedentary lifestyle, change that up and start to gradually get more active. By starting to slowly build your level of activity you are more likely to continue it long term rather than jumping right into a heavy workout regimen. While you are at it, start taking some mature student courses at a local college. Better yet, commit to completing the higher education you never finished. There is evidence that shows better educated people tend to outlive those without a high school education.
Going back to school will also help you meet more people and get you active in a social setting. This has also been proven to aid in longevity when people are socially active and spend time networking with others. So get smarter and meet new people while you are at it. Having close relationships with a few people is really beneficial according to experts. Strong familial ties as you age are vital and failing that, cultivate a few really close friendships of people you can trust and confide in. This is a way of thwarting any potential depression.
Try and stabilize your sleep patterns. Getting adequate sleep each night is critical to good health and longevity but aim for the same pattern and quantity each night as well. Your body at any age requires time to restore itself and to heal. Water, water, water! You need to drink plenty of fresh, filtered water to detoxify contaminates from your system. Our bodies are over seventy percent water so it makes perfect sense to drink lots of water and not beer! If you smoke, quit now. This is a no brainer and not easy to do, but find something to motivate yourself and give up the habit.
Everyone should have a yearly physical exam. This is good preventative maintenance for your body. Sadly, people take better care of their cars than they do themselves in this regard. Men in particular are sensitive to getting checked out regularly by a physician – the rubber glove syndrome! Many women have been trained early in the need to have a yearly check up and men must learn from their example. Leaving the doctor’s office with a clean bill of health is worth the anxiety.
As you get older it is said you begin to get wiser – if only this were true! You need to start being more careful in life. That means taking the time to think before you act. If you want to truly appreciate healthy longevity, use your head. It amazes me how every year I read and hear the same news reports of snowmobilers crashing through thin ice and perishing. Do these people not read or hear the same reports every year that I do? Having fun is important certainly, being dumb about it is another thing altogether. Longevity is a gift and we all too often kick that horse in the mouth.
I remember talking to a little old neighbor lady who was in her late nineties and she said she never over did it with anything, always in moderation. She said she did it all – not just all at once! What great advice. So many things are hazardous to your health and body. The same things that will heal you can also kill you when you over do it. Same thing goes for food so practice moderation with your diet and it will sustain you for many years, over eating the good tasting stuff and it can kill you. Frequently discuss your medications with your physician and discuss whether you can safely cut back. Drink lots of tea and limit the alcohol. No more than one glass of wine a day and make it red. Eat some chocolate if you like; just make sure it is the dark variety.
No matter how well you control your diet and try and eat healthy, you will still be lacking in certain nutrients. This is why you should supplement your diet with vitamins and minerals. A good dietary supplement will help you get all the essential vitamins you need. [“Essential” means the nutrients your body cannot manufacture on its own]. Minerals specifically are tough to retain. You can barely absorb ten percent of the minerals your body consumes naturally. They need to be constantly replenished. By keeping your vitamin and mineral count current you are aiding your body in its battle against toxicity. Try and purchase a superior liquid vitamin supplement since it will be absorbed more easily, providing you with a little added health assurance.
You can do more to ensure your longevity by doing things like splashing on the sun block, even if you are the type that does not burn. If you are in the direct sunlight for any more than fifteen minutes each day you are at risk of serious damage by UVA and UVB rays. Individuals who keep their minds as active as their bodies are also ahead of the longevity game. People who read more live longer and are more apt to avoid dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Optimism is particularly vital as you age, so work at keeping a positive mental attitude as you get older.
Finally, keep working at what you love, be it your present career or perhaps volunteering your time to teach what you are good at. Your objective should be to acquire longevity with a soul that has achieved satisfaction from a life well lived. Do not be afraid to try new things; just make sure you avoid snowmobiles in the springtime!
Anti Aging Supplements, Anti Aging Theories, Health And Aging, Longevity
Sat, Jul 10, 2010
Anti Aging Supplements, Anti Aging Theories, Health And Aging, Longevity