Posted on 04/01/2008 8:59:15 PM PDT by traumer
Secrets to Living Longer with Barbara Walters
Take a guess. How many people are at least 100 years old in the United States? Would you believe more than 84,000 and climbing at an astonishing rate? By the time America's baby boomers reach that milestone, there could be more than a million centenarians.
My new special, "Live to Be 150 ... Can You Do It?" takes you way beyond nips and tucks, Botox and exercise, but rather to the cutting edge of the search for a longer, healthy life.
What you will see could not have happened just a few years ago. Whether you're 20, 40 or 60 years old, living well past 100 could actually be possible.
Over the last two years, I have talked to some of the world's top scientists, who told me about cutting edge breakthroughs in our understanding of how the body ages.
And they showed me how they are already growing human body parts in the lab for implantation into people. The heart research lab at the University of Minnesota took just a few days to grow a living, beating rat heart from stem cells. Amazing.
I also spoke with two scientists in Boston who say that in the next five years, they plan to have a drug on the market that will treat several of the major diseases of aging. This drug is based on the "good stuff" in red wine called resveratrol.
I also dined with a group of calorie restrictors. They weigh and measure every morsel of food they put in their bodies -- and consume 30 percent fewer calories than the average American. These calorie restrictors claim they have incredible energy and improved eyesight and memory. Experts say this is the only proven way to extend life.
And if you are feeling a little apprehension about living longer and longer, don't worry. I met a group of people who have all reached the age of at least 100. And it's not just lucky genes because genes account for only 25 percent of how long we live.
So at 100, could you still drive? Will romance be more than just a sweet memory? The stories of these remarkable centenarians will inspire you and just might calm your fears about getting old.
bmp
I’m not sure I’d want to live to be 150.
Besides if it became routine, congress would change retirement age to 125.
Wew, Babwa Wawa has wived to be won hundwed and fifty, so maybe we can too.
I know she’s not 150, but if I were to look as bad as she does now, I would have to seriously think about whether I would want to still be around or not.
We were talking about this in our Bible Study group today.
Four things that really matter to longevity:
1) The elimination of genetic triggers that drastically lower lifespan. Innovation may accomplish this in our lifetimes.
2) A metabolic thermostat that is easy to calculate. If a person is barely out of high school when they marry and have children, then are a grandparent in their early 40s, they most likely have their thermostat set on high and will not live much past their 60s.
However, people who don’t marry until they are in their 30s and have children later as well, and are only grandparents in their 60s, are a good indicator that they will live into their 90s and beyond.
3) Those who avoid having serious diseases in the major age windows for those diseases. That is, particular diseases occur most frequently in people of certain ages. If you avoid these diseases it usually means that you are healthier than is typical.
4) Self-control and not engaging in risky behavior.
Oh Great, they will repeal the 22nd Amendment and Bill and Hillary Clinton can take turns being President for the next 90 years.
I don’t want to live till 150 to watch BARBARA on TV...
But with Obama or Hillary health care - ANYTHING is possible!
That would mean having to work until you’re 140. No thanks.
As long as I could still run a 4.5 forty and still look like I’m 25. ;-)
Resveratrol... I’ve heard good things about this.
Why would you want to?
Errrrrrrr....no thanks... don’t prolong the inevitable on me. The train to Old Geezerville has to arrive at the destination and then it’s time to get off the railway for good.
Barbara clearly doesn’t believe in God or an afterlife. Living as long as she can in this body seems her only option. Sad.
GRRRRRRRRR...
Don’t even bring up retirement age.
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