SECRETS OF LIVING LONG

 

Many articles include advising the reader by inducing them to start exercising, walk extensively, think positively, develop interest in living, change your perspective, change your lifestyle, etc.

Sorry, I don't agree with this 'Secrets of Living Long'.

Here is why.

While many articles provide some positive and motivational advice, it oversimplifies the complexities of aging and health.

It may be noted that discipline in diet and health awareness should start from a young age. Developing healthy habits early on can significantly impact one's health trajectory.

Main causes for reduction in expected longevity of human life

1. Lifestyle Factors

• Sedentary lifestyle: Many people become less active with age, increasing the risk of chronic diseases.
• Poor diet: Unhealthy eating habits can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, and other health problems.
• Stress and anxiety: Chronic stress and anxiety can contribute to various health issues.

2. Immune System Changes

• Immune system decline: The immune system's ability to fight off infections and diseases declines with age.
• Increased inflammation: Chronic inflammation increases with age, contributing to various health problems.

3. Genetic Predisposition

• Family history: Genetic factors can contribute to disease risk, especially if there's a family history of certain conditions.
• Genetic mutations: Certain genetic mutations can increase disease susceptibility.

A more comprehensive approach to healthy aging should include:

• Early intervention : Developing healthy habits from a young age.
• Consistency : Maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout one's life.
• Holistic approach: Addressing physical, mental, and emotional health.
• Regular health check-ups: Monitoring health and addressing potential issues early.

Genetic and environmental awareness: Understanding one's genetic predispositions and environmental factors that may impact health.

Simply adopting practices like meditation, positive thinking, and regular exercise may not be sufficient to completely negate the cumulative effects of years of unhealthy habits, environmental factors, and genetic predispositions. This doesn't mean that one shouldn't adopt these practices. By incorporating practices like meditation, positive thinking, and regular exercise into our routine, we may not be able to entirely reverse the damage, but we can certainly improve our mental resilience and increase our chances of living a longer, healthier life. These practices are essential, regardless of when we start them, even if it's at a later stage in life.

By acknowledging the importance of early intervention, we can leverage consistency, healthy lifestyle choices, and preventive care to mitigate these risks and promote healthy aging. Furthermore, adopting a holistic approach to health enables us to work towards promoting healthy aging and reducing the risk of age-related diseases.

During our casual gathering at Laxman's home last Tuesday, I discussed the topic of lifespan with friends, Gopalakrishna, Ramakrishna, and Laxman. My perspective is that our genetic makeup, influenced by our family's medical history, predetermines our lifespan. However, by adopting a principled and healthy lifestyle, we may be able to extend our lifespan by, say, 10+ years. Conversely, succumbing to unhealthy habits can significantly reduce our lifespan from the predetermined genetic baseline.

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end- written ಸಂಟೈಂ ಇನ್ March 2025

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