Is Reaching the Age of 120 Achievable for Those Currently in Their 60s and 70s?

The Quest for Healthy Longevity

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

When a centennarian on the Greek island of Ikaria (one of the Blue Zones) was asked by Dan Buettner in the Netflix Series “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” : Which is the best tea to drink every day? She responded: Wine.

The pursuit of longevity has captivated human imagination for centuries. The idea of living a full life to the age of 120, once considered a pipe dream, has become a subject of serious discussion and scientific inquiry in recent years. This is what I call Healthy Longevity. Advances in medicine, lifestyle changes, and improved healthcare have led many to question whether it is indeed possible for individuals currently in their 60s and 70s to reach the coveted age of 120. This essay delves into the factors that influence longevity, explores the potential avenues for extending human life, and considers the plausibility of this ambitious goal.

Factors Influencing Longevity

1. Genetics: Genetic factors play a significant role in determining an individual’s lifespan. Some families exhibit remarkable longevity, suggesting a genetic predisposition to living longer. However, genes are only one piece of the puzzle, and lifestyle choices also have a profound impact.
2. Lifestyle Choices: Lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, and stress management, have a substantial influence on longevity. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can mitigate the risk of chronic diseases and contribute to a longer life. People in their 60s and 70s can still make positive changes to their habits to improve their chances of living longer healthier lives.
3. Advances in Medical Science: The rapid advancements in medical science hold promise for extending human life. Innovations in regenerative medicine (e.g. stem cells), personalized healthcare, and early disease detection may contribute to longer and healthier lives.
4. Healthcare Access: Access to quality healthcare is crucial for increasing life expectancy. Timely medical interventions, preventive care, and early diagnosis of diseases can significantly impact an individual’s overall health and lifespan.

Potential Avenues for Extending Human Life

1. Anti-Aging Therapies: Researchers are exploring various anti-aging therapies, including senolytics (drugs that target senescent cells), telomere extension, and gene therapy. These treatments aim to slow down the aging process and potentially extend life.
2. Caloric Restriction: Caloric restriction, or reducing calorie intake while maintaining essential nutrients, has shown promise in extending the lifespan in various animal studies. Research into its effects on humans is ongoing.
3. Healthier Diets: Adopting diets rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and plant-based foods has been linked to increased longevity. A balanced diet can reduce the risk of age-related diseases.
4. Exercise and Physical Activity: Regular physical activity not only improves cardiovascular health but also enhances mental well-being. Engaging in exercise can increase life expectancy and improve the quality of life for individuals in their 60s and 70s.
5. Mind-Body Practices: Practices such as mindfulness meditation and stress reduction techniques can have a positive impact on both physical and mental health, potentially extending life.
6. Having a strong purpose: It could be business or personal
7. Socialising with friends and family: this is a common factor in most Blue Zones referred to at the introduction as….”wine” :).

My Own Longevity Journey

I have published a detailed article on the 8 areas I experiment with on my own body based on all the books and articles I read on the subject of healthy longevity. Here is a slightly updated list:

1. Supplements
   I am taking NMN, Resveratrol, Vitamin C, statins, Zinc & Magnesium and fish oil on a daily basis with some breaks every now and then. Have tried Metformin and Spirulina but gave them up for now.
2. Diet — I used to mainly eat a vegetarian diet, lots of olive oil, wholewheat, no cow milk, no sugar, no fried foods, less than 4 units of alcohol per week. Now I eat a lot of chicken and turkey meat to meet my protein intake goal of 2g per Kg of body weight.
3. Intermittent Fasting — This is not under diet because it is not about what to eat or what not to eat it is more about when to eat it. Most days I do 16–8 (that’s a 16 hour fast with an 8-hour eating window) but sometimes I go up to 20–4 or even 23–1. It supports caloric restriction mentioned in the previous section.
4. Exercise — At least 5 days a week I do cardio (running) and strength training (boxing and weights), usually 45 minutes to an hour and a half each session.
5. Mind — Practice daily meditation, seek a sense of belonging (by being close to friends & maintaining strong family connections), have a strong purpose — “a big hairy audacious goal” (BHAG).
6. Sleep — I aim to sleep at least 7 hours — ideally eight, consistent bedtimes, allow at least 3 hours without any food intake before going to bed, measure REM and Deep Sleep, and aim to maximize both. I used to use 3 wearable devices (now the two most accurate: Oura and Garmin) and a smartphone app to track my sleep.
7. Breathing — Inhale and exhale mostly from the nose — even during running — count 4 in 8 out at least 10 times before sleep ideally multiple times per day, tried mouth tape for sleeping — that sounds scary I know.
8. X Factors — Could not think of a good category to group them under so X: Sun exposure otherwise vitamin D supplement, cold showers, sex.

Talking about personal journeys it is worth watching Chris Hemworth’s Nat Geo Series called Limitless.

Plausibility of Reaching 120

While the pursuit of living to 120 is an enticing idea, it is essential to approach this goal with a dose of realism. Several challenges and uncertainties need to be addressed:

1. Individual Variability: The human body’s response to longevity interventions varies widely from person to person. What works for one individual may not work for another.
2. Ethical Considerations: Extending human life to such an extent raises ethical questions regarding resource allocation, overpopulation, and the quality of life in old age.
3. Unforeseen Consequences: Prolonging human life significantly may have unforeseen consequences on societal structures, retirement systems, and healthcare resources but that should not be a reason not to pursuit healthy longevity.
4. Scientific Uncertainties: Many of the promising longevity interventions are still in experimental stages and require further research to validate their safety and efficacy.

Conclusion

Reaching the tender age of 120 is a tantalizing prospect that captivates the human imagination. While significant strides have been made in understanding the factors influencing longevity and exploring potential avenues for extending life, the achievement of this ambitious goal remains uncertain. Individuals currently in their 60s and 70s can undoubtedly take steps to improve their health and increase their chances of living longer. However, the quest for extreme longevity involves complex scientific challenges that warrant careful consideration and a lot of experimentation. As science continues to advance, the pursuit of longer, healthier lives will remain a topic of fascination and debate in the years to come.

I subscribe to the maxim:

“If you can imagine it, it can be done!”