Let's talk about longevity and how the science can sometimes be BS.

A listener recently shared a prominent news story with me that suggests that humanity is hitting the upper limit of life expectancy and that people will top out at a maximum age of around 87, 90 for women and 84 for men. To quote the lead study author, S.J. .Olshansky, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at University of Illinois, Chicago: “We’re basically suggesting that as long as we live now is about as long as we're going to live, we're squeezing less and less life out of these life-extending technologies.”

In this episode, I talk about why this is a great example of how science can be stupid, inapplicable, misinterpreted and misapplied. There are highly competent researchers doing great, important work, with likely highly reliable results, but we also know that this is not always the case. In the case of the Blue Zones, principal researchers admittedly took their liberties with the information about eating habits in order to advance their plant-based agenda. The ways that research relating to exercise physiology can often deliver distorted conclusions because of factors like the nature of the subjects, the duration of the study, and the failure to control confounding variables is something I’ve discussed on the show before, and while I agree that we’re not magically going to live longer because of amazing new drugs, a far more interesting discussion to me is how we are ruining our natural human lifespan potential in modern times.

My personal view on this is that almost everyone has the potential to sail smoothly to 100, taking advantage of modern medical intervention when necessary, but mainly by simply not getting in our own way (and this even includes people that have been dealt a bad hand with genetics such as a family propensity for obesity, heart disease, cancer, and so forth). In this episode, I talk about some ways to not become a statistic and how to actualize your human potential by getting out of your way and doing some cool stuff too, and why the main emphasis must always be on health span, not lifespan.

TIMESTAMPS:

According to a recent article advances in medical technology and genetic research are not translating into lifespan overall. Are we really at a plateau? [00:51]

The problem with these studies is that the scientists are looking at a population that is leading a very unhealthy lifestyle in general. [06:57]

In any scientific study, there are many variables so one always needs to view the results accordingly. [11:08]

You may have familial genes for predisposition for things like obesity, heart disease, cancer and so forth, but you need environmental influences to trigger those diseases. [12:07]

Can we do anything to defy those statistics about how long we are going to live? [17:05]

Sleep, rest, relaxation, recovery, and downtime are critically important. [21:45]

Circadian rhythm is a number one concern, according to Dr. Kruse. Minimize the light in your home after dark. [23:47]

Clean up your act. You cannot focus on longevity if you have crap in your life. This includes toxic relationships. [34:58]

Look at your behavior patterns. Be positive. Envision your happy healthy life because you are taking control of your diet and exercise for sailing into the long future. [40:22]

The media programs us to believe something that gets us to limit our thinking. [43:49]

When you focus on plant-based eating, for whatever reason, it is high risk unless you also get nutrient-dense foods. We need protein. [46:35]

Walking is the single most essential requirement for your health and longevity. Move frequently and take breaks from your work. [49:57]

Sprinting added to your daily routine is very valuable. [59:56]

Digital technology has played havoc on our social connections. Don’t put health and longevity on the back burner. Care about it! 01:05:42]

Beware of how consumerism is luring you with its profit-based goal of making money. [01:11:38]

Set simple doable goals. [01:17:33]

LINKS:

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