How Do You Want To Die?

The answer that we like best is, “I want to die young, but as late in life as possible” - Dr. William R. Kellas

Medical science has done an absolutely magnificent job of curtailing deaths from infections and traumas, which used to be the leading causes of death. As a result of their brilliant advances in controlling deaths form infection and trauma, the times when 1 out of every 2 people died from infection or trauma are gone. Instead, people now get to reap the consequence of how well they nourish and protect their bodies.

Degenerative Diseases Are Optional

Of the millions of deaths that occur yearly in the United States, most are related to lifestyle and nutritional factor related diseases.

The Perfect Goal - Achieving the Limit of Our Heredity

The goal, of course, is to maintain one’s body so well (See Six Habits of Health) that nothing cuts us short of our maximum longevity as set by our heredity

Heredity includes how many cellular replication binding buds we are born with. We don’t know what the limits are to our longevity potential, but scientists are quite certain that people are capable of living to at least 120 to 150 years of age. Laboratory animals are leading the way, up to 500 years of equivalent to human lifespan.

And, please note that scientists aren’t talking about a lessened quality of life type of living. They believe that we can have our natural strength and vitality and mental acuity literally until our cells are no longer capable of cellular duplication. Then we die, but not from disease, but because our time is truly up.

All of this reminds us of the Biblical Moses, of whom it was said when he was 120 years old - “His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.”

Telomeres and Lifespan

Why don’t we live as long as Adam, Methuselah and the patriarchs?

Answer: Because our telomeres die sooner in the polluted modern world with ozone in the atmosphere and ionizing radiation... which did not exist then.

What are telomeres?

Telomeres are the cell replication buds or protein binding sites at the end of each DNA strand. We are born with fifty to eight (very lucky draw of heredity) in each DNA strand that form the termination or DNA cap. How many we have is a gift of heredity.

Why do Telomeres Die?

During cellular replication cycles (if insufficient nutrients are available) or there are excessive free radical, oxidative events occurring, it is possible for a telomere to be damaged (and subsequently removed from the DNA structure). When the number of telomeres in the telomere cap goes to zero—that DNA cannot replicate itself again.

When Your Last Telomere Dies, You're Done!

As your life goes on your cells end up with fewer and fewer telomeres. When the telomere count goes to zero, cell replications can no longer take place. Then, regardless of your level of health, your time is UP.

Six thousand years ago… telomeres lasted longer… because there weren’t so many free radicals in the environment and nutrition was much superior (no mono crop farming or depleted soils).

Today, if we could get vastly increase our antioxidants, methylation facilitators, and general nutrition, all of which stand as bodyguards and maintenance crews to keep our telomeres safe… we could live substantially longer.

What's Your Individual Healthspan and Lifespan Forecast?

Both heredity and lifestyle play crucial roles in determining maximum lifespan, but lifestyle and nutrition have a larger influence than heredity in most cases.
Heredity is believed to account for about 20-30% of the variation in human lifespan. This includes the fact that some people have longevity genes that are associated with slower aging, better cellular repair and more telomeres.
However, lifestyle factors are thought to have a greater impact on lifespan than genetics, accounting for 70-80% of longevity potential. Diets that are rich in vegetables, berries, healthy fats are associated with longer lifespan. Also, physical activity and avoidance of harmful habits like smoking and avoidance of excessive stress correlate to longer lifepan.
Studies on centenarians show that most don’t have unique longevity genes but tend to share similar good lifestyle habits.

Lifestyle and Nutrition’s Role in Lifespan

Longevity genes can be turned off due to stress, toxicity, or environmental factors. Likewise, longevity genes can be turned on by good lifestyle and nutrition. Key longevity lifestyle factors include:

Nutrition: Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats (like the Mediterranean diet) are associated with longer lifespan. Calorie restriction and intermittent fasting have shown promise in slowing aging processes and reducing disease risk.
Exercise: Regular physical activity improves cardiovascular health, maintains muscle mass, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Active people tend to live longer regardless of their genetic predispositions.
Avoiding Harmful Habits: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use significantly reduce lifespan, often by causing preventable diseases.
Stress Management: Chronic stress, poor sleep, and mental health conditions are linked to accelerated aging and shorter lifespans. Mindful practices like meditation, yoga, and strong social connections promote longevity.
Environmental Factors: Exposure to pollution, hazardous work environments, or harmful chemicals can shorten lifespan, often overriding genetic advantages.

The Consensus

People who lead healthier lifestyles are much more likely to reach their maximum genetic potential, while those with poor habits may fall well short of it.

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The information on this website is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of the Healthy-Living.Org staff and contributors. It is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and it is not intended as medical advice. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for modification of any medication regimen. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before starting or discontinuing any medication, or if you suspect you have a health problem. You should keep in mind that cited references to ongoing nutritional scientific study are most likely not accepted by the FDA as conclusive. These references and mentions of benefits experienced by others are disavowed as product claims and are only included for educational value and as starting points for your own research. No food or supplement can be considered safe for all individuals. What may benefit 999,999 of a million people may harm you. Therefore, no one can take responsibility for your health except you in concert with your trusted health professional.