Live long and prosper

A 102-year-old woman was recently interviewed on television and asked by the reporter to what she attributed her longevity. She looked straight at the camera and with a huge, though toothless, grin, she said: ‘A glass of whisky a day, and a good man whenever you can get one.’Looking at the twinkle in her eye, it was not hard to see why she had reached such a venerable age with all her marbles (if not all her teeth). The woman was full of life.

In the last century in Britain the average life span has increased by more than 30 years. At the last count (in 1998) this was 74.8 years for men, and 79.8 years for women. Greater understanding of issues such as preventative medicine and nutrition have meant that people are looking younger and staying healthier for longer. Even without thedubious benefits of plastic surgery and anti-ageing creams (for which you have to take out a small mortgage), it is clear that 40 is the new 30 and 30 the new 20. Which must be a tad galling for the average 15-year-old.

And this is only the beginning. Implanting stem cells may one day enable doctors to trigger the brain’s ability to create new cells, thereby defeating degenerative diseases of all kinds. In the world of cardiac research, a newly developed drug could help the heart grow new vessels, eliminating the need for heart surgery. Vaccines that raise the good HDL cholesterol will become available and the possibilities suggested by gene therapy are seemingly endless.

Given that we have a longer life to look forward to, what are we going to do to ensure that this life is as good as it can be? We now have years and years to kill. When it comes down to it, it is not how long we can hope to live, but rather how we can continue to live hopefully.

Eat less and better
It could be that the simplest secret to remaining youthful is to eat less. We’re not talking Kate Moss-style limbs here since research has demonstrated that crash dieting affects brain function, energy levels and mood.

In the West we eat on average 40 per cent more than we need to, and overeating is one of the main causes of ageing. Research in animals and humans suggests that a lower calorie diet results in longer life, perhaps because if you eat less the body produces more melatonin, a powerful antioxidant. Dr Roy Walford, Professor of Pathology at the University of California, Los Angeles, is a leading proponent of the calorie restriction theory. Walford says that people may benefit from cutting their calorific intake by a mere 10 per cent, but that they should choose foods wisely to ensure that their diets include enough nutrients.

Look after your bones
It is never too soon to think about osteoporosis and how you can prevent it. A number of factors contribute to the likelihood of getting osteoporosis, including the menopause, diet and your genetic make-up. Perhaps the most important factor is your peak bone mass –the weight and density of your bones at their peak, which is normally at around the age of 26. By taking calcium supplements and doing load bearing exercises (carryingshopping helps, but don’t let that be an excuse to flash the plastic) you can help to maximise your bone density. Preventing osteoporosis will protect you from brittle bones in later life that can lead to fractures and disability.