Gaby
Immortality remains a concept straight out of science fiction and an unfulfilled dream for billionaires. However, lifestyle changes that can be made today can help extend life. For instance, healthy eating, quitting smoking, and exercising are the secrets to longevity that could add an extra 15 years to your life.
Moreover, experts have exciting developments that could eliminate the harmful cells responsible for the aging process. Journalists from the Daily Mail spoke with leading scientists around the world who are fighting aging and gathered their secrets to longevity.
Secrets to Longevity from Dr. David Clancy
Dr. David Clancy, who has spent decades researching ways to delay age-related decline, offers two key pieces of advice for extending life: calorie restriction and physical exercise. While this may sound straightforward, the mechanisms by which healthy eating and exercise influence the aging process are quite complex.
According to Dr. Clancy, these measures can help cleanse the body of senescent cells, commonly known as “zombie cells.” These cells release compounds that accelerate aging.
A stronger immune system in youth helps the body eliminate these “zombie cells,” but this ability diminishes with age. Some scientists believe that aging can be slowed down with medications that “cleanse” these senescent cells. However, Dr. Clancy asserts that the onset of gray hair and joint pain can be mitigated through regular exercise and dietary restrictions.
A 2019 review by researchers found that physical activity benefits the immune system by reducing the burden of “zombie cells” in skeletal muscles and fat cells. However, another recent study indicates that this is only possible with intense, exhausting workouts.
When it comes to calorie restriction, Dr. Clancy suggests a method that worked for his aunt, who lived to be 90. Her secret to longevity was not exercise, but rather a “relatively easy life” and a weekly “liquid diet” for one day a week, during which she consumed only tea, coffee, or water. According to Mr. Clancy, the main drawback of these longevity secrets is that they are very difficult to maintain consistently.
Secrets to Longevity from Dr. Andrew Steele
According to Berlin-based scientist Andrew Steele, it’s never too late to start exercising against aging. He believes that taking the first step is better than doing nothing at all.
Mr. Steele states that exercise can improve physical fitness even in people over 90. In his book “The New Science of Aging,” he references a 2014 study in which a group of 90-year-old retirees underwent a 12-week resistance training program. The results showed that participants increased their muscle strength and walking speed, indicating some improvement in their health and longevity.
Dr. Steele notes that during a run, you can feel your muscles working and your heart beating. Thus, exercise is beneficial for both muscles and the cardiovascular system. It is also known that physical activity reduces the risk of developing cancer and dementia.
Dr. Steele also believes that each sign of aging triggers the next. Therefore, interrupting this process through exercise should help people live longer.
In the expert’s view, medications being developed to prevent aging processes cannot be a true miracle in a pill that solves all existing problems. He suggests their use for eliminating “zombie cells.” However, there may be other factors related to gene therapy. For this reason, Mr. Steele believes that exercise remains the simplest way to increase lifespan.
Secrets to Longevity from Professor Richard Faragher
Biogerontology expert Richard Faragher does not believe in anti-aging supplements, as you can never know how much of them is placebo. He states that there are many things with dubious evidence.
Professor Faragher has dedicated decades to studying aging and believes that there are no universal secrets to longevity. However, he thinks that basic lifestyle changes, such as monitoring weight, regular exercise, moderate alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking, can increase lifespan.
As Professor Faragher points out, following these recommendations can extend life by about 15 years. However, he notes that people often do not like these suggestions.
The expert also believes that if humanity can manage the accumulation of “zombie cells,” it will be one step closer to controlling aging. While exercise can help the immune system eliminate “zombie cells” and prevent aging, Mr. Faragher advises people to first focus on the basics.
According to him, one should first achieve a healthy weight, avoid waking up with a hangover six days a week, not be out of breath every ten minutes, and maintain a healthy diet. Only then can one begin to transition to exercises that strengthen the immune system.
