Longevity and Quality of Life: Tried and True Principles for Both
Introduction Whenever I write about longevity and REAL wellness, I almost wish I had had the making of the world.
In that world, human cells would be far, far fewer in number but much, much bigger in size.
Cell endings (telomeres) would be visible and contain pleasure-rendering nerves; the telomere caps that protect the end of chromosomes would come in sparkling colors.
In that kind of world, women would accessorize their most dominant and attractive cells, while men would showcase the length of their telomere caps.
Cells in that world would be the equivalent of T&A in ours - alluring and provocative, come-on body parts.
Long telomeres have been linked with minimal cell aging and lower risks of age-related diseases and premature death.
With healthy lifestyle practice, the size of these telomeres can be increased 10 percent.
For women, too.
The major consequence (and benefit) of the size and quantitative differences in my imaginary world and the real one (the 100 trillion or so cells in a human can only be seen under a microscope), would be this: cells in my wellness world would advertise physical quality-of-life states.
Long telomeres would be a status symbol, a mating advantage.
For this reason, appearances would motivate functional, longevity-enhancing lifestyle practices.
Besides the fact that we don't get to have the making of the world, we would probably screw things up if we did, yours truly being no exception (as if you didn't know that).
To paraphrase Friedrich Hayek's famous plea about economists, the curious task of wellness utopians is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.
Better to be humble and cautious, thereby realizing how little good might come from proposed interventions or how much harm might result.
The Latest Research Findings Re Longevity So, back in the real world, what are some highlight findings from emerging longevity studies? Or, as that silly shill for CNN Wolf Blitzer might say, "Coming Up! Breaking news from the Situation Room.
Don't move! You don't want to miss this!" Nothing revolutionary, actually.
No surprises.
This might be disappointing to some.
We want researchers to uncover breakthrough insights that promise easy ways to remain alive as long and in as good a condition as possible.
This seems a reasonable if not universal human desire.
After all, our time is short, at least relative to the age of the earth and similar measures of time, such as geologic epochs.
Other things being equal, if it were not too much trouble, everyone would adopt and sustain attitudes, habits and situations that promote staying alive and well as long as possible.
Why not? We were, every one of us, nonexistent for almost forever before we were born and we'll soon be nonexistent again, this time nonexistent forevermore.
So face it - every breath counts.
So, with that understanding set forth, here is the latest on the longevity research front.
Not a single surprise to reveal.
No fountain of youth-like water source discovered, no anti-aging plant revealed, no pill created in a Frankenstein lab - nothing like any of that.
Sorry.
Tried and True Longevity Principles But, since most folks don't live in accordance with existing principles for boosting longevity prospects, the tried and true (as far as we can tell, so far) variables are still worth attending, still likely to offer a few more months or years of good living.
Here's a quick summary:
g.
, Voltaire's El Dorado in Candide), real-life visionaries have carried out experiments in societies designed for healthful, peaceful living.
Great longevity was seldom neglected as one of the many goals of life in such places.
Alas, no evidence has yet been found that one scheme or another renders longer life in planned than in naturally-occurring environments.
While no non-fictional utopian setting for wellness purposes has been established, the future lies ahead.
Meanwhile, know that you have within your control to a considerable extent the power to not just wish you had the making of the world but to actually make your own mini-world, the one you inhabit in this universe.
Make the most of it - and take account of the above, well established realities for longevity.
May you live accordingly, as long and as well as possible.
And remember - look on the bright side of life.
+++++++ Note: The following articles were helpful in the writing of this essay and are recommended for further reading.
In that world, human cells would be far, far fewer in number but much, much bigger in size.
Cell endings (telomeres) would be visible and contain pleasure-rendering nerves; the telomere caps that protect the end of chromosomes would come in sparkling colors.
In that kind of world, women would accessorize their most dominant and attractive cells, while men would showcase the length of their telomere caps.
Cells in that world would be the equivalent of T&A in ours - alluring and provocative, come-on body parts.
Long telomeres have been linked with minimal cell aging and lower risks of age-related diseases and premature death.
With healthy lifestyle practice, the size of these telomeres can be increased 10 percent.
For women, too.
The major consequence (and benefit) of the size and quantitative differences in my imaginary world and the real one (the 100 trillion or so cells in a human can only be seen under a microscope), would be this: cells in my wellness world would advertise physical quality-of-life states.
Long telomeres would be a status symbol, a mating advantage.
For this reason, appearances would motivate functional, longevity-enhancing lifestyle practices.
Besides the fact that we don't get to have the making of the world, we would probably screw things up if we did, yours truly being no exception (as if you didn't know that).
To paraphrase Friedrich Hayek's famous plea about economists, the curious task of wellness utopians is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.
Better to be humble and cautious, thereby realizing how little good might come from proposed interventions or how much harm might result.
The Latest Research Findings Re Longevity So, back in the real world, what are some highlight findings from emerging longevity studies? Or, as that silly shill for CNN Wolf Blitzer might say, "Coming Up! Breaking news from the Situation Room.
Don't move! You don't want to miss this!" Nothing revolutionary, actually.
No surprises.
This might be disappointing to some.
We want researchers to uncover breakthrough insights that promise easy ways to remain alive as long and in as good a condition as possible.
This seems a reasonable if not universal human desire.
After all, our time is short, at least relative to the age of the earth and similar measures of time, such as geologic epochs.
Other things being equal, if it were not too much trouble, everyone would adopt and sustain attitudes, habits and situations that promote staying alive and well as long as possible.
Why not? We were, every one of us, nonexistent for almost forever before we were born and we'll soon be nonexistent again, this time nonexistent forevermore.
So face it - every breath counts.
So, with that understanding set forth, here is the latest on the longevity research front.
Not a single surprise to reveal.
No fountain of youth-like water source discovered, no anti-aging plant revealed, no pill created in a Frankenstein lab - nothing like any of that.
Sorry.
Tried and True Longevity Principles But, since most folks don't live in accordance with existing principles for boosting longevity prospects, the tried and true (as far as we can tell, so far) variables are still worth attending, still likely to offer a few more months or years of good living.
Here's a quick summary:
- Be sensible, not self-destructive.
(There is no free lunch for those who even dabble with smoking cigarettes or using/abusing other substances associated with adverse consequences, or for those who endure over long periods such misfortunes as poverty, minimal education, chronic stress, loneliness and Republican politics.
) - Do well in the genetic lottery, manage fortunate contingencies and hope random chance variables break well for you.
- Eat whole foods, preferably a plant-based diet with ample fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and the like with minimal sugars, packaged/processed imitation foods and, last but not least, minimize or shun animal proteins.
- Exercise.
Daily.
Vigorously. - Relax.
Breathe deeply, stay calm and meditate - if that suits your style. - Nurture a loving family and a socially/physically supportive environment, if possible.
(Not all families are capable of being supportive - it's not a simple choice for adults who have been rendered dysfunctional by unfortunate formative years.
) - Find things to fill your day that provide outlets for your talents, that enable happiness and joy, that excite in positive ways and that give added meaning and purpose.
g.
, Voltaire's El Dorado in Candide), real-life visionaries have carried out experiments in societies designed for healthful, peaceful living.
Great longevity was seldom neglected as one of the many goals of life in such places.
Alas, no evidence has yet been found that one scheme or another renders longer life in planned than in naturally-occurring environments.
While no non-fictional utopian setting for wellness purposes has been established, the future lies ahead.
Meanwhile, know that you have within your control to a considerable extent the power to not just wish you had the making of the world but to actually make your own mini-world, the one you inhabit in this universe.
Make the most of it - and take account of the above, well established realities for longevity.
May you live accordingly, as long and as well as possible.
And remember - look on the bright side of life.
+++++++ Note: The following articles were helpful in the writing of this essay and are recommended for further reading.
- Victor Katch, Add life to your years and years to your life! Health Yourself, September 17, 2013.
- Amanda L.
Chan, Healthy Lifestyle Changes Might Reverse Cell Aging, Study Suggests.
The Huffington Post, 09/17/2013. - Carolyn Gregoire, Want To Escape The Modern World? 9 'Utopias' That Really Exist, The Huffington Post, 08/21/2013.
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