How to Live a Happy and Healthy 100 Years Part 1

It seems to me that in my practice, I am treating more and more elderly people. I have not done a formal study of this but I'm fairly sure that I am seeing more elderly patients than I saw back in the 1970's. So when I read this astounding statistic the other day, it rang true to me.

In 1993 there were 4,000 people in Germany who were 100 years old. Today, the article said, there are an estimated 23,000! Also, the fact is that the fastest growing segment of the US population is the 85 and over group!

These two facts certainly got my attention. Many of the patients I see in this age group are quite alive. They are alert, interested and interesting, active and fit. Most belong to clubs, play cards, travel on senior's trips, and dance, do Tai Chi or bowl. These people are aging "successfully".

So, how can the rest of us "age successfully"? The rest of us have generally lived at a time when much more was known about food, sanitation, exercise, nutrition and health. For example, when the 85 years olds of today were our age (and here I am talking as and to the Boomer generation), there was no such thing as a smoking section. There were no such things as non-smokers' rights. In fact, non-smokers were somewhat unusual. In the 50's and early 60's one could smoke anywhere and everywhere. You would never think of asking a smoking guest in your home to smoke outside.

Few questioned the quality of drinking water. Water quality was not an issue and neither were environmental controls. I remember fishing in small streams in rural Ontario with my Grandfather in the 50's and the water in these creeks was way worse than you would see today. Cars, factories and homes polluted both water and air to a far greater degree than they do now.

To quote from an article which appeared in the publication January 1, 2001 issue of Dynamic Chiropractic authored by a Dr. J. Maher "It is becoming increasingly clear that aging is not necessarily equivalent to decay and decrepitude. Factors such as diet, nutrition, and exercise have been underestimated or ignored as potential moderators of the aging process. Mental activity is of paramount importance for maintaining the ability to cope adequately with stress, with health problems, limitations and handicaps, and particularly for the persisting capability to enjoy life."

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