With the oldest baby boomers turning 60 this year, it¡¯s no surprise that
publishers are eagerly churning out books promising secrets to living longer.
Most boil down to a few truisms: eat right, exercise regularly, keep your mind
active and participate in social activities. If you did all of these, research
tells us you would indeed enhance your chances of reaching a vigorous old age.
But, as we all should know by now, the devil is in the details. Here are a few
to chew on:
ON DIET
¡°Try your best to make every meal as naked as possible. Skip the
decadent desserts for now ... Get the dressings on the side. Cook at home as
much as you can. Opt for steamed vegetables. If you just absolutely have to have
that Big Mac fix, just make sure the next meal¡¯s a cleansing salad.¡± (¡°Age
Smart: Discovering the Fountain of Youth at Midlife and Beyond¡± by Jeffrey
Rosensweig and Betty Liu, Prentice Hall, April 2006, p. 54)
¡°Each time you take a bite of food, chew at least 30 times before swallowing.
When you do, your food is predigested in the mouth by the enzyme ptyalin, found
in your saliva. As a result, the stomach doesn¡¯t have to work as hard, and
absorption of important vitamins and nutrients occurs more readily. As I tell my
patients, your stomach doesn¡¯t have teeth!¡± ("Secrets of Longevity" by Maoshing
Ni, Chronicle Books, June 2006, p. 32)
¡°Mindful eating not only helps us maintain an awareness of when we have had
enough food, but also when we have had enough of a specific taste. Usually,
after four or five bites of a particular food, taste buds become desensitized to
that food¡¯s flavor. That is why even if someone cannot possibly eat another bite
of grilled chicken, they may still have room for chocolate souffl¨¦.¡± ("The
Longevity Bible" by Gary Small, Hyperion, June 2006, p. 188-89)
ON EXERCISE
¡°The results of this study were pleasantly surprising. Of all
the different types of physical activities, dancing was the only one that
conferred beneficial effects on the mind.¡± (¡°Age-Proof Your Mind¡± by Zaldy S.
Tan, Warner, March 2005, p. 131)
¡°Every centenarian I have interviewed over the last 20 years walked for at
least 30 minutes as a daily activity, and most walked more than an hour.¡±
(¡°Secrets of Longevity,¡± p. 182)
¡°Becoming physically active on a routine basis may even boost your sex life.
A study of approximately 500 middle-aged men found that those who exercised
regularly reported more frequent and satisfying sexual encounters than their
less active counterparts. Another investigation found that the level of sexual
activity of middle-aged expert swimmers was comparable to that of the average
adult 20 years younger, after drying off.¡± (¡°The Longevity Bible,¡± p. 145)
¡°If you haven¡¯t exercised in months, or years, you¡¯ll find it tough to stay
committed the first month. After 30 days, reward your self with something¡ªa
slice of chocolate cake, a massage, a new dress, or an electronic gadget. You¡¯ll
feel terrific.¡± (¡°Age Smart,¡± p. 36)
