How Centenarians Explain Their

Longevity
January 09, 2014 | 206,275 views
| Disponible en Espaol
By Dr. Mercola
"For years I would not take any medicines at all. I don't think they do
much, and lots of times the doctor is using you as a guinea pig." - Advice
from Centenarian, Sardinia, Europe

Do you want to live to be 100? How about 110, or even 120? Statistically, the
younger you are, the greater your chances of reaching those milestonesthat much
is known.
There is even a fairly strong possibility that lifespans beyond 150 will be possible in
the next few decades as improvements in 3D printing, stem cell, and nanotech
continue to improve.
But when it comes to understanding the complexity of human longevity and all of the
factors that determine your lifespan, there is much we still don't understand.
Researchers have the advantage of an ever-growing pool of centenarians and
supercentenarians. Supercentenarians are those rare individuals who live past 110.
Both demographics are growing. And the good news is, most centenarians and
supercentenarians are quite healthy until very near the end of their lives. Research
tell us that the older the age group, the later the onset of degenerative diseases and
cognitive decline.1 Here are a few interesting facts about centenarianswho now
represent the fastest growing segment of the American population:2
One quarter of children born today are expected to live beyond 1003whereas
only one in 26 baby boomers will reach the century mark4
There are between 96,000 and 105,000 centenarians living in the US, and
about 12,640 in the UK5
Research indicates that the number of American centenarians has been
doubling every decade since the 1950s; by 2050, the number of
centenarians living in the US is expected to pass one million
There are about 65 verified supercentenarians living today, but unofficial
estimates are as high as 3506
,
7
Approximately eight of every nine Centenarians are women; 19 percent use
cell phones, 12 percent use the Internet, and three percent have participated
in online dating
What's Their Secret?
Scientific explanations for longevity remain elusive. Researchers studying
centenarians agree: there is no specific pattern.
There appears to be a connection between your longevity and the age your mother
gave birth. Researchers at the University of Chicago Center on Aging found that if
your mother was under age 25 when you were born, your chances of reaching age
100 are twice as high as for someone whose mother was older than 25. Makes me
grateful my mother was only 19 when she had me.
This presumably has something to do with the robustness of a woman's eggs over
time, but this is just one potential factor among many. According to Israeli physician
Nir Barzilai of the Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
in New York:8
"There is no pattern. The usual recommendations for a healthy lifenot smoking, not
drinking, plenty of exercise, a well-balanced diet, keeping your weight downthey
apply to us average people. But not to them. Centenarians are in a class of their
own."
Based on years of data from studying centenarians, Barzilai reports that when
analyzing the data from his particular pool of centenarians, at age 70:
37 percent were overweight
8 percent were obese
37 percent were smokers (for an average of 31 years)
44 percent reported only moderate exercise
20 percent never exercised at all
Despite this, centenarians as a population have 60 percent lower rates of heart
disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.9 Depression and other psychiatric illnesses
are almost nonexistent. Barzalai is quick to emphasize you should not disregard the
importance of making healthy lifestyle choices (such as keeping your insulin
level low). He explains:
"Today's changes in lifestyle do in fact contribute to whether someone dies at the
age of 85 or before age 75. But in order to reach the age of 100, you need a special
genetic make-up. These people age differently. Slower. They end up dying of the
same diseases that we dobut 30 years later and usually quicker, without
languishing for long periods."
What the Elders Themselves Have to Say
The majority of centenarians do not feel their chronological age; on average, they
report feeling 20 years younger. They also tend to have positive attitudes, optimism,
and a zest for life. Could it be that personality characteristics and worldviews play a
more significant role than genetics, diet, or exercise?
One way to determine this is to ask centenarians questions about how they see the
world, what they value, and to what they attribute their own longevity. What are their
secrets to aging well? These individuals represent centuries of wisdom that should
not be overlooked. So that's what researchers are now doingmining the minds of
centenarians for nuggets of wisdom. Regardless of which interviews you read, this is
where patterns really DO emerge. In interviews and surveys with centenarians, the
following themes come up time and time again when asked to explain why they've
lived so long:10
Keeping a positive attitude Eating good food
Exercising moderately (most report basic
activities, like walking, biking, gardening,
swimming, etc.)
Clean living (not smoking or drinking
excessively, etc.)
Living independently Family
"Good genes" Friends
Staying mentally active and always
learning something new Faith/spirituality

Some jokingly said they attribute their longevity to "avoiding dying." Others give hints
to their life philosophy, such as "Find your passion and live it," "Make time to cry,"
and "Practice forgiveness." Centenarians overwhelmingly cite stress as the most
important thing to avoid. Their lives are marked by as many stressful events as the
rest of us, but they differ in how well they manage their stress. Rather than dwelling
on it, they let it go. And they are very happy people!
Rx: Happiness
Happy people live longerby 35 percent, according to one study.11 Another study
found that happiness and contentment increases health and longevity.12 Other
studies show optimists live longer than pessimists.13 So it's no surprise that
centenarians are a happy and optimistic lot. Positive thoughts and attitudes seem to
somehow do things in your body that strengthen your immune system, boost positive
emotions, decrease pain, and provide stress relief. In fact, it's been scientifically
shown that happiness can alter your genes!
A team of researchers at UCLA showed that people with a deep sense of happiness
and well-being had lower levels of inflammatory gene expression and stronger
antiviral and antibody responses.14 This falls into the realm of epigeneticschanging
the way your genes function by turning them off and on.
Part of your longevity may depend on the DNA you were born with, but an even
larger part depends on epigeneticsover which you have more control. Your
thoughts, feeling, emotions, diet, and other lifestyle factors exert epigenetic
influences every minute of the day, playing a central role in aging and
disease.15 Perhaps it's not as important to avoid that bowl of ice cream as it is to feel
sheer bliss when eating it... at least, on occasion!
Four Nutrients That Will Help You Reach the Century Mark
The fact that you can manipulate your genes with happiness doesn't mean you can
completely disregard lifestyle choices, as that would be foolhardy. The basics are still
importantdiet, exercise, sleep, etc. Research suggests the modern American diet
is increasingly low in four important nutrients that have a direct bearing on aging, and
our brains are suffering for it. If you hope to one day become a healthy, happy
centenarian, you must address the following:16
1. Vitamin D
2. DHA
3. Folate
4. Magnesium
Vitamin D
Vitamin D's list of health benefits is amazingly long, including helping your brain
combat the damage from free radicals, which helps prevent cognitive decline. The
important factor when it comes to vitamin D is your serum level, which should be
between 50-70 ng/ml year-round, and the only way to determine this is with a blood
test.
Your skin produces vitamin D in response to ultraviolet light, so sun exposure or a
safe tanning bed are the preferred methods of boosting your vitamin D. However, a
D3 supplement can be used when necessary. Most adults need about 8,000 IUs of
vitamin D3 per day to achieve serum levels of 40 ng/ml. If you take supplemental
vitamin D3, you also need to make sure you're getting enough vitamin K2, as these
two nutrients work in tandem to ensure calcium is distributed into the proper areas in
your body.

Sources
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
DHA is an omega-3 fat that plays a role in keeping your cell membranes healthy,
flexible, and resistant to oxidative stress, which decreases inflammation. Chronic
inflammation is a key factor in many degenerative diseases, including dementia. Low
DHA is has been linked with depression, memory loss, and even elevated hostility,
which reflect its importance to optimal brain function.
The American diet has far too many omega-6 fats and not enough omega-3 fats due
to its heavy reliance on processed food. You can boost your DHA by eating more
fish, such as salmon and sardines, but so much of the fish today is contaminated
with mercury and other toxic compounds that I prefer to take a high quality omega-3
fat supplement such as krill oil.
Folate (Vitamin B9)
Folate helps prevent depression, seizure disorders, brain atrophy, and other
neurological problems. Folate deficiencies correlate with impaired memory, slowed
mental processing and overall cognitive decline, particularly in the elderly. Your body
also needs folate to make red blood cells. Folate deficiency has been thought to lead
to elevated homocysteine levels, which can be a major contributor to heart
disease and Alzheimer's. However, recent studies may have disproven that idea.17
People often confuse folate with folic acid, and it's important to know the
difference. Folate is the naturally-occurring form of the vitamin and contains all of the
related isomers your body needs for optimal use. Folic acid is the synthetic form of
the vitamin that is used in most supplements and in fortified foods.
It is always preferable to raise your folate levels by modifying your diet, as opposed
to eating "enriched" foods or taking a multivitamin. Foods rich in folate include egg
yolks, sunflower seeds, asparagus, avocados, broccoli, cauliflower, basil, parsley,
and greens such as romaine, turnip, collards, and spinach.18 If you do think you need
a supplement, make sure it lists "folate" on the label, rather than folic acid, as this
suggests food sources were used.
Magnesium
Magnesium plays a role in your body's detoxification processes and is therefore
important for minimizing damage from environmental chemicals, heavy metals and
other toxins. Even glutathione, considered by many to be your body's most powerful
antioxidant, requires magnesium in order to be synthesized. But this important
mineral also helps your brain.
Magnesium acts as a buffer between neuron synapses, particularly those involved
with cognitive functions (learning and memory). Magnesium "sits" on the receptor
without activating it, in effect protecting the receptor from over-activation by other
neurochemicals, especially glutamate. Glutamate is an "excitotoxin," which can harm
your brain if it accumulates, and magnesium helps prevent this. That's why you often
see magnesium advertised as a "calming" nutrient.
Good sources of magnesium are whole organic foods, especially dark green leafy
vegetables, seaweed, dried pumpkin seeds, unsweetened cocoa, flaxseed, almond
butter, and whey. If you choose to add a magnesium supplement, there are many
forms so it can be a bit confusing. A newer type called magnesium threonate is
particularly good due to its ability to penetrate cell membranes and cross your blood-
brain barrier, which is important for preserving good cognitive function as you age.
Healthy Aging Is a 'Package Deal'
There is no magic bullet when it comes to aging well. Generally speaking, the better
you treat your body throughout your life, the better your aging experience will be.
Most people do not revel in the thought of getting older because, for many, aging is
synonymous with aches and pains, forgetfulness and loneliness. It is inevitable that
you're going to get older, but I can tell you from personal experience that this need
not be a bad thing!
Now, as I approach my 60th birthday in a few months, I am the fittest I have ever
beenand I live every day to its fullest potential. I may have been able to run faster
when I was younger, but I would never trade that for the muscle strength, flexibility
and knowledge I have today. You too can achieve wellness on both physical and
mental fronts, at any age. In fact, for me in many ways life continues to get better as
the years go by.