Does anyone know the secret to a long and healthy life?

Sunnygirl1: Good genes are your strongest assest.

My brother was just 16 when our dad died and although he cut out salt, became a vegan and a 26 mile marathon runner, he was faced with a quad bypass at age 50 (bypasses weren't available in 1967 for my dad).

Sunnygirl1: Generally, long life goes hand in hand with your genes, e g. I didn't take after my father's genes as he died when he just 50 of a massive coronary. I tend to have my mom's genes as she lived to be 94.

We live in a fallen world and such are decaying and will experience death at some point. Rains on the righteous and unrighteous alike. Having said that, I do think the poster who mentioned CARE along with others are onto something. Beyond good genes, I do think how well we eat, exercise, meditate, pray, read scripture for those inclined and protect our thought life and emotions are paramount to living well and managing stress.

The stress part is the biggest for me and something I work on, especially breathing. Getting better at watching my breath when under stress. I work on my laptop for work all day but I get up about every hour or sooner and walk/pace around for about 10 minutes. This is in addition to working out in the mornings which helps get my mind and body in gear in the right direction.

My parents are often negative and yet they are well into their 80s which is beyond me sometimes. Both they both have longevity genes too I think. After mom developed Type 2 diabetes it has been a struggle though she has done well to get to 86 years. She ate A LOT of carbs, processed stuff and rarely exercised at all except for yoga on occasion. Dad did better but stubborn and often would not follow up with his doctor so it took a crisis to get his attention.

My husband was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago (desmoid tumor in the stomach) at 43. It was too big to operate or treat too aggressively, so he's been on low dose of tamoxifen and sulindac, but really cleaned up his diet, take his supplements and rests well. In that time the oncologist is still stunned at how rapid the tumor has shrunk. Said with the meds alone it normally takes 3 to 4 years to see the level he's at now. Started out the size of a duck-pin, now the size of a lime. Just never know.

The sad thing is that some people do all the right things and then get hit with AD or cancer out of nowhere. It's so cruel. I can't see why that makes sense in any universe

The secret is inside of all of us.God designed us to adapt everything we are involved in.
God has given us the human tools to strive and keep alive,in your life.And these rules are very simple.For examples: if you were a car,you would need to maintain this machine,so it can operate correctly.On the inside,you would keep it clean,neat,wiping down the windows and vacuum the seat and floor.On the outside,you would go to the car wash,give it a waxing,check for scratches and dents,and so.Under the hood,which is the heart of this car...there are numberous areas to check....so it runs smoothly.
We,as humans need to do the same thing.On the inside....we eat good and healthy foods,drink a lot of water,milk and juices,don't smoke or do drugs,(that's really not necessary for living), and take medications,if need be.Do puzzles for your brain,do exercise for your body,take long showers to cleanse all toxins from your day,and take a walk for your lungs and legs.Be apart of life!!!! For your outsides...wear lovely clothes,( it will pick up your spirits),use gentle shampoos and get your hair styled,stay out of excessive sun,and lose weight,if need be.And don't forget to pray.Bring God in your life and become a heart and soul member with him.Go on outings with friends,join social groups,do well at your job and accomplish positive attitudes and goals.Go to adult colleges and join a class about something new to learn.Meet new people.Sleeping is very important for a healthy body and mind.Remember when your parents taught you manners...like say please and thank you....well it still applies today,as adults.Keep kindness as a rule and do it! Basically,the secret is no secret.It doing good everyday and loving life,so you can continue your life for another day.Now,there are some that can't follow these rules,due to physical &/or mental limitations.And we hope they are not alone to strive for themselves.We hope their Caregivers,Parents,Teachers,Babysitters,
Siblings,and other people to this person,can help them experience a good life as well.
That's it! Stay true to yourself.And don't forget to smile! M : )

We know that aging well is partly genetic. However, there is a lot to staying active, & walking is recommended art least 30 min. per day. We also know that smoking , eating refined sugar, and gorging ourselves on fatty, deep fried foods is also not healthy. Being connected socially is also very healthy. Meditation is especially beneficial for our brains. In other words, it is our individual responsibility to seek health, have our regular medical checkups, and also to basically be sensible about moderation with all things in our lives.

My parents are in their mid-90's and they use to walk 2 miles a day, come rain or shine, for decades.

I'm not sure we are in control of anything in this world, but I do look at my cousin, who suffered VD mixed with AD at age 63. I try to avoid what she did, just in case.

She had a terrible diet for many years. She refused to even consider fruits and vegetables, except for bananas. She ate a diet rich in processed foods for years. She had no social life and would only leave the house once a week for groceries. She was disabled due to arthritis. She stopped coming to family gatherings. And her father suffered from dementia in his 70's.

I'm related to her on her mom's side, who died in her 80's with no dementia. She was a Type I diabetic from a young age and survived to that ripe age with no amputations, no blindness and no kidney failure! (For many years there were no portable blood meters. She eventually passed away from cancer.)

There is an acronym for long-term health: CARE. It stands for Circulation, Assimilation, Relaxation, and Exercise.

ASSIMILATION includes diet, but it also includes thoughts and emotions. In other words, we are what we absorb. There is conflicting advice out there concerning diet. You may want to research it and decides what makes most sense to you. (I personally favor the ketogenic diet.) Also, as we age we tend to have insufficient stomach acid, which we need to break down food and absorb nutrients. Betaine hydrochloric acid (HCL) in capsule form is a blessing for many. Apple cider vinegar in water also helps many. Alkalizers like Tum's give instant relief but lead to long-term damage, since they lower an already low level of stomach acid.

RELAXATION includes sleep as well as fun activities and socialization. For many, it also includes prayer and meditation.

CIRCULATION and EXERCISE are closely related. We need to work our brains as well as our bodies to stay physically and mentally healthy.

God bless!

No

THERE IS NO SECRET! Each day is a gift and you make it the best you can for yourself.

I think some of it is heredity. My mother's one brother lived to be 103, had knee surgery at 100. he was still driving at 99 to church down the road, but the doctor didn't feel it was safe anymore at 100. Her sister only lived to 80 something. my father is 91 but he has dementia. worked hard all his life, never smoked/nor drank. I think it just all depends on the persons own body make up.

We have a good deal of longevity in our family on both sides. My 95 year-old mother has had dementia since she was 90. I'm trying to avoid that, of course, but for 40 years, my husband and I have exercised, eaten whole foods taken vitamins, and enjoyed coffee and alcoholic beverages. We pursue new activities and lots of reading and music. We hope that this healthy lifestyle will ward off dementia, but honestly, the quality of life now is so good because we live this lifestyle, the journey has become as important as the goal.

. Contact with people, eating healthy, keeping up with your MD appointments, and a positive attitude will help a great deal.

It's What you put into it, cook, really cook heathy food,

Well that sounds good. I'll have to check out that study.

I drink one cup of coffee per day and cut my alcohol way down. I used to have a glass or two or wine most evenings, but I now just drink at socials a couple of times a year. I may have to revisit that decision.

I have a ways to go before I'm in my 70's, but I dare say, I will have a few extra pounds when I get there. lol

My dad is 78 and my mom is 75 years old. They have pretty good mental and physical health, except my dad had bypass 15 years ago! He stays very active, sees doctor regularly and takes his meds. He eats lots of cookies and ice cream, but I leave him alone. It's his choice at this point.

My grandmother was over 90 when she died, not healthy exactly but still involved in the community and able to live on her own until she tripped and broke her hip. Her sister lived to be over 100, but she had dementia the last 10 years or so and lived in a long term care home. Now my mom is 96, and she was also doing pretty well on her own until she was 90, but now is physically frail and has dementia. Odds are that I will have a very long life, escaping physical and mental infirmity would be a nice trick!
The UCIrvine 90 plus study has posted some interesting conclusions so far, I like the ones that say it is better to be overweight in your 70's and drink moderate amounts of alcohol and coffee, I think that is something I could manage! ;)