The first thing to understand about aging is that the end of the human life span is determined by many factors, some inherited and some chosen. Among the most well-known factors in determining life expectancy are blood type, gender, diet, amount of sun exposure, and amount of exercise.
There are others, but I’ve only mentioned those that can be controlled, altered, or reversed. Aging is a process that will take place in each individual, whether they are born at ten, fifty, or eighty. Some individuals start aging before they hit the maximum age, while others start aging at a much earlier age.
As a person ages, they are more likely to develop chronic illnesses, which is a positive development because it means that those illnesses can be avoided. People who have a life expectancy of seventy-five and above are considered to be in good health, but anyone who is less than that should watch their weight and exercise more.
While most people will die during their seventies, it is possible to have an extended lifespan, in part due to advances in medicine and research, and in part due to prevention. The sooner that the person reaches the maximum life expectancy, the fewer illnesses, and diseases that they will develop.
While some causes of aging can be treated, preventing aging by preventing injuries and illnesses that occur with age can be accomplished through exercises, eating healthy, and using prescribed drugs that are prescribed by a doctor. People who start aging before they are old and start to wear themselves out do not have as good a chance of preventing a long life as people who are younger. It’s just how things work.
Smoking and drinking are two things that are known to cause premature aging, but genetics also plays a huge factor in this equation. Smoking is known to cause cancer and heart disease, while drinking is known to lead to strokes and heart attacks. This isn’t the whole truth, though, because even alcohol can cause heart problems.
However, studies have shown that the amounts of antioxidants in your system may be able to increase lifespan. Antioxidants are said to “buy” your life, preventing a host of illnesses and diseases that might otherwise befall you as you age. Research shows that supplements containing alpha-lipoic acid and other antioxidants may increase lifespan.
Vitamins and minerals have been proven to extend lifespan by various means, but researchers have not figured out exactly how. Eating well and getting enough exercise are just two ways that vitamins and minerals can extend lifespan.
Some other things that you may want to avoid include animal fats, red meat, processed foods, and saturated fats. These are known to increase life span by delaying aging.
Smoking also decreases lifespan, but only by a few months, while the effects of cigarette smoke are felt with age. Just like with smoking, prolonged use of alcohol does not prevent aging, while moderate use of alcohol can.
You can also extend your life span by keeping a diary of what you eat and when you eat it, as well as a list of vitamins and minerals that are recommended for you, and follow it closely each day. After forty years of aging, a person who has made these food choices will likely live longer than someone who doesn’t.
