Longevity and nutrition
Can we all really live to 100 and beyond?
Aging is a part of life; yet so is the fascination of aging and the quest for longevity. The allure of eternal youth and the desire to extend the boundaries of human existence have fuelled a myriad of cultural narratives and scientific endeavours.
As societies have evolved, the methods for seeking longevity have persisted and advanced. More recently, science has stood at the forefront of longevity, exploring the intricacies of genetics, lifestyle, and medicine to help us better understand the secrets of a longer, healthier life.
People are living longer than ever before. Since 1900, life expectancy has increased, on average (rounded) in the UK from 46 to 82 years and is projected to reach 91 years by 2100. Whilst advancements in medical science and improved living conditions have probably contributed to this, other countries such as Greece (83 years), Italy (84 years) and Japan (85 years) demonstrate what is possible (compared with global averages at 73 years). However, even this is a far cry away from the oldest reported human at 122 years (Jeanne Calment; 1875–1997).
A man and a woman eat a salad. Credit: Tassii via iStock
A man and a woman eat a salad. Credit: Tassii via iStock
In the same timeframe, we have unfortunately also witnessed an increase in non-communicable disease with heart disease, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease remaining stubbornly high on the ’top ten’ list. And although recent research highlights a global increase in ‘healthy life expectancy’ or HALE (the period in life that one is in good health), the difference between life expectancy and HALE continues to remain a global concern, with much of the period for poor health emerging in our latter years.
It was Martin Luther King Jr who said: “The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important” (perhaps for different reasons, but maybe he had a point!). With this in mind, and whilst continuing our focus on the quantity of years, we should not overlook the quality, specifically the development of good health and wellbeing by addressing the risk factors to promote greater freedom from debilitating disease.
More recently, there has been a new revival in longevity with books, articles, films and research exploring our fascination with the concept. The most notable of these stemmed from the AKEA study in Sardinia and extended to worldwide ‘longevity hotspots’ or ‘Blue Zones’ – areas with higher proportions of centenarians and supercentenarians (>110 years).
This has recently been portrayed through the Netflix documentary ‘Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones’ which highlights individuals and communities who display remarkable physical and mental health for their age.
The docuseries uncovers commonalities across these zones (i.e. from Sardinia to Okinawa to Nicoya, Costa Rica) where factors such as daily physical movement, life purpose, social belonging, stress reduction and natural wholefoods play a role in feeding into a potential ‘elixir of youth’, a formula for good health and longevity. Recognition of these influences is one thing, implementation of them is another.
Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones | Official Trailer | Netflix
Within the longevity formula exists a complex mix of dependencies such as environment, genetics and diet. Knowing what to do and then facilitating change are often barriers to success. We must acknowledge that those who were interviewed for the Blue Zones live in an environment that facilitates a healthier lifestyle with access to particular foods (as well as restrictions), opportunities for activity and a strong social fabric.
Nutritionally, it is also interesting to note the link between general dietary commonalities across the Blue Zones and the associated reduction of chronic diseases.
In fact, if we delve a little deeper into each of these nutrition commonalities, we start to see mechanistic patterns which may be at the heart of improving not only the quality of our health, but also the quality of our aging.
Join Dr Mark Cortnage and Professor Justin Roberts from Anglia Ruskin University as they take a light-hearted look at the factors affecting longevity and ask whether our diet really is at the heart of this. They will delve into the Blue Zones diet and explore whether we could actually create a Blue Zone here in Cambridge.
Come and join us for this free event at 11:00, Saturday 16 March at our East Road Campus or online.
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