Living the paleo life will hopefully put my on track for a long healthy life, which got me thinking - taking everything into account... what could that realistically be? Starting with genetics: looking at my grandparents. One grandmother died aged 63 - second heart attack, quite tall, slim to average sized lady, conservative eater. Had HBP from what I am told. Grandfather one. Died age 78 - of a broken heart, this man was fit, healthy, ate lots of his home grown veges and ate grass fed only meats, could sprint around the garden and catch me, he tried warning me of the dangers of sugar and the benefits of garlic. Boy, he wouldn’t ever shut up about sugar and garlic, “only two lollies (pieces of candy) a day or you will get sugar diabetes” (wish I had listened to him!)...in his youth was a heavy smoker which caused an acute stomach ulcer which kept him out of WWII, but after that he cleaned his act up. When my Grandma died he went from being a paragon of elderly health to wasting away from a lack of will to live. Dying of a broken heart is truly a real and very sad phenomenon. Granddad two: Died aged 75 - aggressive reoccurring brain tumour, he was a hunter and fisherman and very active until he got ill. His daughter (my aunty) also died of brain tumour as a child. Grandma two still kicking aged 88 and still smoking! has zest for life, is very social, her house is like a railway station of visitors forever coming and going. She and Granddad number one both illustrates well how the mental aspect is very important to longevity. Both my parents still in reasonable health. Both active and neither large.
So Taking everything into account - genetics...brain tumour, popped up twice on one lineage, but I'm banking on paleo reducing my cancer risks. CHD with one grandma. But overall I'd say pretty normal for Caucasian heritage.
High risk activities: Snow sports. MTB, road cycling, so not too bad, low to moderate risk of coming to sticky end. Driving - don't drive all that much and I don’t speed, don’t drink so no drinking and driving. Low to moderate risk there.
Eating archevore diet - definitely should give a big boost.
So.....If I live to 85 or 90 and remain active and in good health then I should feel satisfied. But if with a pinch of fairy dust and I can make 95 -100 and have good quality of life, good eyesight and keep my hearing - then bring in it on.
I asked this question in my little poll recently, one of 5 questions. It seems most are thinking they will get to late 80, early 90's. 17% think they will get a 'ton'
note: this is not so much a goal per se, but what you realistically think, looking at the parameters, the age you will reach.
live long and prosper!


