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It's not
about life and death - it's more important than that
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Antiaging is big business. Antiaging medicines are a
great revenue generator. There is no real evidence,
however, to suggest that any aging process can be reversed -
or even slowed - by taking any substance.
We live better lives and - possibly - eat better food than
our predecessors. There is evidence that, on average, we
are living longer. This is the information age and we
have an enormous amount of information on healthy lifestyle
choices.
It seems to me that the main thing is NOT to extend our
lifespan to 120 or whatever, and then die after an extended
period of frailty and senility. The main thing should be
to extend the period of our lives that we are healthy, in both
body and mind, and then die - as we all must - after no more
than a short period of illness. It's not about life and
death - it's more important than that - it's about being
healthy for as long as we can.
The information we have about health was largely not
available to our ancestors; most of it has come only in the
last 20 or 30 years. It seems to me that there are 4
things that can make our lives longer - and more importantly
perhaps, more healthy for a bigger proportion of our lives:
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- We can make sure we're informed about healthy lifestyle
choices and put into practice the key information we've
learned. Diet is a major part of this of course
- We should exercise. We don't need to run marathons
- and probably shouldn't - but we do need to exercise
enough to kick up our metabolism on a regular
basis. This is important at any age, but
particularly as we get older. I know from my own
experience that if I do the exercise routine I've
developed, I feel good; if I don't I start to
develop arthritis and aches and pains in general
- We do better physically and mentally if we interact
socially
- We need to keep a positive mental attitude
Personally, I positively believe in these 4 things. I
gave an example in an earlier article - "Don't forget to
remember" - of a man who lived to be a centenarian.
He said that he had learned throughout his life what worked
for him. Generally he was healthy, but on occasions, he
forgot these lessons and his health then tended to
breakdown. I know this is true from personal experience
also. I know what's right but, sometimes, for long
periods often, I forget.
I don't believe it's about living a long life.
Perhaps that's good (but often it isn't); very often, living a life
that is healthy almost to the very end sounds more desirable
to me.
It isn't about life and death - it's more
important than that.
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