Book Review (Living to 100)
Is there a connection between living ecologically
and how long we live? How about a connection between
our happiness and lifespans? Those two questions
are the focus of many studies and this is a review
of a new one.
Book: Living to 100
by: T. Perls, M. Silver
date: 1999
This book agrees with the other studies on aging
and doesn't have much new. It was interesting
to see that the role of pollutants is now considered
significant (air pollution mostly). It is difficult
to prove this using the elderly so the book appeared to
have two sets of conclusions. I think both are valid
and we need to merge the two together. Here are results
from just looking at old people.
To live a long and enjoyable life:
1. Attitude. A positive attitude and viewing changes
as opportunities was common.
2. Genes. Good genes are important.
3. Exercise. Try and retain muscle tissue.
4. Investigate. Active minds and interests
were common.
5. Nutrition. Fresh fruit and vegetables.
Stay away from fats and sweets.
6. Stress. Just say no to stress.
A slightly different picture is presented by the following
steps to determine our lifespan. Fill out the form to
predict your lifespan. Circle the answers then add the
numbers.
Yes no
--- ---
1. Do you smoke or chew tobacco? -10 0
2. Do you eat processed meats (hot dog, bologna, bacon) over
twice a week? -3 0
3. Do you eat charred fish, poultry, regularly -2 0
4. Do you avoid saturated fats and sweets? +3 -7
5. Do you eat sparingly and focus on fruits and vegetables +5 -4
6. Do you drink more than 2 beers or glasses of wine/day -6 0
7. Do you drink often but never more than two drinks? +3 0
8. Do air pollution warning occur near you? -4 +1
9. Do you drink more than 16oz of coffee each day? -3 0
10.Do you drink moderate amounts of green tea instead? +3 0
11.Do you take an aspirin each day? +4 0
12.Do you floss +2 -4
13.Regular bowel movements every 1-2 days? 0 -4
14.Sexually promiscuous -8 0
15.Maintain a sun tan? -4 +3
16.Live in a noisy environment? -7 0
17.Overweight? or underweight? if yes choose from -7 - -25 ? +2
18.Close contact with family and friends +5 -4
19.Is stress a problem? (adjust numbers if occasional problems)-7 +7
20.Family history of diabetes? -4 0
21.Did parents live to be over 75? 0 +10
22.Did either parent require daily assistance before 75? -10 0
23.Did more than one relative live to be 90 and in good health +24 0
24.Do you exercise regularly? 0 -7
25.Do you exercise at least 20 minutes each day and watch heart +7 0
26.Do you take vitamin E and selenium each day? +5 -3
Add up all the numbers, divide by 5, add 84 if male and
87 if female.
jeff
