Centenarian Secrets
November 09, 2007
BOSTON (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Right now, there are 55,000 people in the United States who are 100 years old or older. In fact, people older than 100 are the fastest-growing age group in the United States. How do they defy death? What are the secrets of longevity?
Frank Di Paolo junior is 100 years old.
“I am, honestly, 100 and a half years old,” Di Paolo says.
And he doesnt miss a beat! He drives to work every day, working in the office of a state senator.
“I met governors. I met senators. I met presidents and their wives. So honestly, I was happy. I was very happy,” Di Paolo says.
Happy and healthy at 100 and a half.
“I honestly believe that if you get enough rest, you exercise some, you eat well, youre going to live,” Di Paolo says.
One secret he believes to living a long life red wine.
“I think this has a lot to do with getting old.”
In fact, red wine contains polyphenols — chemicals that some research has shown can ward-off heart disease.
Thomas Perls, M.D., director of the New England Centenarian Study in Boston, has studied centenarians for more than decade.
Want to know how long youll live? Take a look at your relatives. Dr. Perls believes 30 percent of how well well age is in our genes.
“Our studies show exceptional longevity, which means living to 100 or older, runs very strongly in families,” Dr. Perls says.
Centenarians also tend to have certain personality traits.
“Many of them had very, very stressful lives, but what seems to be the key to them is they dont hold on to stuff. They dont dwell on it,” Dr. Perls says.
They are rarely depressed.
“I always laugh,” centenarian Ellen Doble says.
Genetic variations also slow down the aging process. In fact, 20 percent of centenarians, like Doble, had children after the age of 40, their fertility a marker for the rest of their body.
Diet also plays a powerful role in aging. Many doctors believe a rainbow diet will add years to your life. Red pigment in lycopene, found in tomatoes and watermelon, is a powerful antioxidant. Green foods, like spinach, contain folates, which build healthy cells. Brown foods, such as whole grains, have fiber and carry carcinogens out of your digestive system. Dont forget some white foods — garlic and onions support the immune system.
“Who would ever want to live to be 100?” Dr. Perls asks.
Most of us want to live longer, but quality of life is just as important. Most of us reach our physical peak between the ages of 20 and 30 and begin a steady decline after that. By age 70, we have lost 40 percent of our maximum breathing capacity. Muscle and bone mass have declined, and sight and hearing have gotten worse. But for people who live to 100
“The older you get, the healthier youve been,” Dr. Perls says.
Studies show centenarians have 60 percent lower rates of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.
“One of the reasons centenarians are rare, not a rare one single factor, but rather, its the combination of factors that makes them rare. Its a bit like winning the lottery. If you have one or two numbers, its pretty easy, but getting seven numbers, that makes you rare,” Dr. Perls says.
That combination of luck, lifestyle and genes can add up to a very long life.
“What do you think it takes to get to 100?” Dr. Perls asks Doble.
“Not dying, I guess,” Doble says.
And a positive attitude doesnt hurt either.
“You know, I got it in here that Im going to live ten more years,” Di Paolo says.
Dr. Perls’ studies show Seventh Day Adventists have the longest lifespan out of any group in the country. Most are vegetarians, they dont smoke, they exercise frequently and set aside time for spiritual activities.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Thomas Perls, M.D.
thperls@bu.edu
http://www.bumc.bu.edu/Dept/Home.aspx?DepartmentID=361