Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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Curious to your thoughts on those who have achieved longevity. Sitting here thinking about it, I wondered if making a goal of say, "living to 100" something you focus on each day might actually be counterproductive. I guess I'm looking more for opinions about whether these people who achieve longevity did so by having a will to do so or is it just a byproduct of years of cumulative behaviors that lead to it. Obviously there is a bit of luck in play as well.

I've been thinking about whether living long and well is truly as goal of mine, as I have stated numerous times. However, I've wondered if waking up each day and consciously trying to work toward that, instead of just living the best I can might actually hinder my chances.

Weird question, but curious to get some responses.

flag	asked Oct 9 at 14:34 KA24 5,597●1●3●11

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It's probably also helpful to choose your parents wisely to get those good longevity genes. – Sol Oct 9 at 15:01

^ Is the "longevity genes" thing still simply a hypothesis? From my understanding they still have not uncovered the genes in question or anything. – JayJay Oct 9 at 15:35

dmi · Answer 1 · 2012-10-09 19:05:24Z UTC

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In the end it is anyway irrelevant whether you live to 50 or 100, in the big scheme of things. So enjoy your life and focus on the present, not on a future at 100 :)

answered Oct 9 at 19:05

dmi
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meta · Answer 2 · 2012-10-09 23:05:08Z UTC

A good starting point is the Gerontology Research Group (GRG), which keeps track of and collects information on centenarians and supercentenarians.

Whilst the GRG acknowledge that having the right genes and being female increases the likelihood of reaching 100 and beyond they also advocate being proactive in maintaining health and reducing the risk of the three biggest causes of death that come with ageing: cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurodegenerative disease.

JeJ · Answer 3 · 2012-10-09 20:21:47Z UTC

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Chilling the eff out. Centenarians are so laid back usually, it's crazy.

answered Oct 9 at 20:21

JeJ
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David McC · Answer 4 · 2012-10-09 15:11:36Z UTC

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you can't argue with this guy

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_southeast_valley/mesa/valley-man-turns-110-years-old-and-said-5-foods-helped-him-live-long-life

answered Oct 9 at 15:11

David McC
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on the other hand ucanews.com/2012/10/01/… – David McC Oct 9 at 15:17

JayJay · Answer 5 · 2012-10-09 15:29:31Z UTC

I absolutely think that willing it is part of the equation. However you wish to look at it health and longevity are going to be a function of thoughts, traumas, and toxins. This has been also put in terms of mind, body, and soul....or how we "eat, move, and think".....either way it is well recognized that thoughts influence our health. It would be folly not to cultivate that part of the whole.

Then again "which" thoughts will cultivate longevity could be your actual question. Should you focus on today or on your end goal of living beyond 100. I would say that keeping the end goal in mind is enough rather than obsessing over it.

Aughra · Answer 6 · 2012-10-09 16:33:41Z UTC

I think my 99 year old ramen noodle swilling granny hasn't spent too much time consciously attempting to be healthier. She was born on a farm drank raw milk until the 70's, doesn't take any medication except baby aspirin, doesn't drink or smoke, and rode a bicycle until her 80s. Wouldn't go to the doctor for something like 40 years until she got so blind, when she finally relented to go to an opthamologist the doctor said he'd never seen cataracts like that except in third world countries. She still knits, has third grade school teacher handwriting, and does her own taxes. I think it's a combination of good early nutrition and sheer will. From what I hear from her, being 99 is really painful. She still lives in her own home, though, so it's gotta be something integral in her personality.

Alec · Answer 7 · 2012-10-10 05:28:01Z UTC

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If you decide your goal is longevity then jump aboard the Chacha train. Seriously.

answered Oct 10 at 5:28

Alec
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Centenarians - A Conscious Achievement, Byproduct of Lifestyle or Both?

7 Answers