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My grandmother lived to 103 so my goal is to stay healthy and strong as long as possible. I want to be the old lady walking the beach and then dancing at my great grandkids' weddings.
Sounds nice on paper, but the reality is that most people who hit 100 have bodies that are literally falling apart with serious health problems, being kept alive with drugs or surgeries, and peeing in a diaper. Everyone else from your generation is long dead and you're basically a burden at this point. Family and caregivers may show compassion, but secretly will be wondering when you're going to kick the bucket already so they can go on with their own lives.
Seems selfish and vain to want to extend the lifespan beyond its normal length.
An unusual number of people on the island of Sardinia, Italy live to be 100 years old. It's one of the so-called "Blue Zones" on earth where exceptional longevity is statistically more common. There may be a number of factors in this, which could include genetics - it's kind of an isolated community - and daily activity/exercise. Another aspect could be their diet.
Sounds nice on paper, but the reality is that most people who hit 100 have bodies that are literally falling apart with serious health problems, being kept alive with drugs or surgeries, and peeing in a diaper. Everyone else from your generation is long dead and you're basically a burden at this point. Family and caregivers may show compassion, but secretly will be wondering when you're going to kick the bucket already so they can go on with their own lives.
Seems selfish and vain to want to extend the lifespan beyond its normal length.
My impression of the Blue Zones population was that community was a big part of the older residents' well- being. It seemed genuine. The older person is included in social gatherings and neighbors look in on and care for elders who may be ill or need some help.
They also all seem to share an enjoyment of the pleasures in life and have a pretty positive outlook.
I, personally, find nothing thrilling about living to be 100. Just because people do live that long doesn't mean they are happy about it. I worked with retired priests, in their late 80's and a few in their 90's. The older ones grumbled every time I saw them, saying things like, "Well, I'm still here" when I would greet them.
And some people who are that old may not feel they can speak the truth about how they really feel about still being around due to guilt from religious beliefs. But this wouldn't be included in the Blue Zone study.
The Blue Zones company is owned by the Seventh Day Adventists and they misrepresent the data to push vegetarian diets per their religious beliefs.
People in the Blue Zone geographic regions historically have had lower rates of chronic illnesses (cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, etc.) which probably contributed to the higher rate of longevity. Their traditional diets are nutritionally rich and balanced, and include moderate amounts of meat, fish, poultry and other animal products despite the Adventists convincing many that it's almost no animal product.
Life expectancy in Blue Zones has declined in the 21st century and chronic illnesses are becoming more common. This decline in longevity coincidentally coincides with the shift from nutritionally rich and balanced traditional diets and active lifestyles -- to more sedentary modern lifestyles and the introduction of poor nutrient, highly-processed industrialized foods. Their diets are becoming more Western (aka Standard American Diet). Not as nutritionally rich and balanced as they were on their traditional diets. The Western diet is linked to increased risks for chronic illnesses.
That longevity is probably hereditary. Someone outside of that group would have different results.
Life isn't about how long we live, it's about how we live. If we're present in life and doing things for ourselves and others that are enjoyable, stimulating and interesting, that's great. If we're living for tomorrow or caught in our minds in the past, we may as well be dead.
Even the small, seemingly insignificant things in life can be a wake up for us or set us back. The Dali Lama once wrote: whoever it was that said we shouldn't be concerned about the little things in life has never tried to sleep in a tent w/ a mosquito in it.
Well the "Sardinia" diet barely had its 15 minutes of fame. It's time for the Atlantic Diet! The son of the great Mediterranean diet, it focuses on minimally processed plant-heavy meals with as much local produce and fish and meats as practical given the seasons. It is based on the typical diet consumed by people living in Spain and Portugal.
Seasonal, fresh whole foods like fruits, veggies, nuts, beans, and rustic hearty breads, with fish, seafood, and yes - pasta. It also includes dairy, eggs, olive oil. Oh and red wine.
Said to reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
It's basically the "minimally processed" version of the diet that is recommended for Americans (rather than the standard diet that Americans actually eat, which is mostly crap).
It's high carb, simple cooking like stewing, broiling, grilling, and baking. Lean meats, fewer meals drenched in fat-heavy sauces, served family-style where people take their time eating the food together, talking between bites - which means more masticating, feeling full with smaller portions.
Well the "Sardinia" diet barely had its 15 minutes of fame. It's time for the Atlantic Diet! The son of the great Mediterranean diet, it focuses on minimally processed plant-heavy meals with as much local produce and fish and meats as practical given the seasons. It is based on the typical diet consumed by people living in Spain and Portugal.
Seasonal, fresh whole foods like fruits, veggies, nuts, beans, and rustic hearty breads, with fish, seafood, and yes - pasta. It also includes dairy, eggs, olive oil. Oh and red wine.
Said to reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
It's basically the "minimally processed" version of the diet that is recommended for Americans (rather than the standard diet that Americans actually eat, which is mostly crap).
It's high carb, simple cooking like stewing, broiling, grilling, and baking. Lean meats, fewer meals drenched in fat-heavy sauces, served family-style where people take their time eating the food together, talking between bites - which means more masticating, feeling full with smaller portions.
This is a good diet, and actually it is just the Mediterranean diet which has been touted for years. I agree folks would be a lot healthier, and possibly live longer if they would simplify their diets and just avoid so much fat and processed food. My grandparents were from Spain, and this diet was sooo much healthier than what most Americans eat. My abuela was a great cook, as was my dad.
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