Theories of Aging

As a baby boomer, aging is a topic of personal interest for many reasons. I’m concerned with the future of my health, happiness, and finances as I grow older. And, I’m aware of how important it is to stay relevant and connected for the sake of my career.

I’m one of those boomers who doesn’t have a big enough nest egg to enjoy retirement in my sixties. I need to keep working to keep a roof over my head and food on the table. This isn’t a complaint. It’s just fact.

Longevity can be genetic — in part

And, here’s the kicker. I have longevity in my genes. Many of my relatives have lived long lives well into their 90s. My mother, who will be 96 years old this December, worked in an office environment until she was 83 years old.

Even using a walker, she would drive to the office and three lovely ladies helped her every single morning get her car parked and settled into her cubicle where she worked all day, five days a week, transcribing doctor’s notes for nursing homes. Prior to this job, she was a registered nurse for decades working the surgical unit of the Memorial Hospital Systems.

This Scientific American article cites a genome-wide survey identified genes strongly associated with living beyond the century mark.

Habits

The life span of people is a combination of environment and genetics. We know that there are many good habits people can follow to live a healthy long life.

Exercise is the most critical. You don’t need to jog; walking at a good clip with your dog is plenty to get your blood pumping. The normal gait for a dog is fast, so Fido is your best exercise buddy.

Eat your veggies. A study from Harvard cited that people who eat a diet high in processed meats are at a higher risk of death than those who get their protein from plants. So, yeah…your mom was right.

Be nutty. Several studies have shown that nuts have beneficial effects on heart disease, high blood pressure, inflammation, diabetes and some forms of cancer.

Put down the cigarettes and vapes. Now.

Theories of aging

This article called Theories of Aging, from the American Federation of Aging Research, covers research including identifying mechanisms that affect aging that can lead to interventions to slow or alter aging.

Ancient philosophers believed humans have a predetermined number of breaths or heartbeats and that once used, death ensued. Today, scientists believe energy consumption limits longevity. Take the time to read the article, it’s intriguing.

Can humans live past 120 years?

The current world record was a woman who died at the age of 122 in 1997. The oldest living person in 2019 is 116.

“By the turn of the next century, a person who is 122 years old on the day of his or her death may be said to have lived a full, though not particularly long, life.” ~ Biologist David Sinclair

As I conclude this article, I encourage you to read this letter written by Chris Taylor titled Dear 22nd Century: The end of aging. It will blow your young mind. I promise. It blew my young 60-year old mind.

Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree

…And after a long time, the boy came back again.

“I am sorry, Boy,” said the tree, “but I have nothing left to give you-

My apples are gone.”

“My teeth are too weak for apples,” said the boy.

“My branches are gone,” said the tree.

“You cannot swing on them”

“I am too old to swing on branches,” said the boy.

“My trunk is gone,” said the tree.

“You cannot climb”

“I am too tired to climb,” said the boy.

“I am sorry,” sighed the tree.

“I wish that I could give you something… but I have nothing left. I am an old stump. I am sorry…”

“I don’t need very much now,” said the boy, “just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired.”

“Well,” said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could,

“well, an old stump is a good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.”

And the boy did.

And the tree was happy.