Buzz
How far are you willing to go to add years to your life? You’re already eating healthily (most of the time, at least), staying active (when it suits you), and you’ve quit smoking after several attempts. But what other extraordinary steps are you ready to take?
Throughout history, people have experimented with countless methods to boost longevity, some more appealing than others. For instance, did you know that Taoist sexual practices, when executed correctly, were believed to grant eternal life? Over the ages, humans have consumed rattlesnakes, caterpillar fungus, and bee pollen in their quest for a longer life. They’ve also ingested mercury, kombucha, and colostrum—the nutrient-rich milk produced by new mothers.
Today, we have a better understanding of strategies that can genuinely make a difference. Here are some of the more unconventional approaches.
10. Practice Caloric Restriction
As early as 1934, researchers discovered that lab rats on near-starvation diets lived significantly longer than anticipated. This finding was further validated by R. Weindruch and colleagues in a 1986 study involving mice. Since then, nearly every species tested has shown similar outcomes. Animals provided with essential nutrients but kept on a calorie-restricted diet tend to live longer, staying hungry yet healthy.
Now, humans are adopting this approach. The CR Society consists of individuals committed to extending their lives through calorie-restricted diets. Those who follow this regimen often display anti-aging benefits, such as improved insulin sensitivity and lower blood pressure.
The Okinawans, one of the world’s longest-living populations, incorporate calorie restriction into their lifestyle. Their practice, known as hara hachi bu, involves eating until they are 80% full, consuming around 1200 calories daily.
Could starving yourself lead to a longer life? Possibly. However, whether you’d enjoy that life without your favorite treats is another matter entirely.
9. Learn a Language
A sharp and healthy brain is essential for a long and fulfilling life. As the brain ages, it becomes increasingly challenging to make sound health decisions and maintain overall well-being.
Multiple studies have demonstrated that being bilingual or multilingual can significantly delay the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s, two severe age-related conditions. Dr. Fergus Craik and his team at the Rotman Research Institute in Toronto discovered in a study of 200 patients that individuals who spoke two or more languages for many years experienced a delayed onset of Alzheimer’s, sometimes by as much as five years.
This phenomenon may be attributed to the enhanced brain reserve developed through bilingualism, allowing the brain to function effectively despite damage. The cognitive advantages of speaking multiple languages, such as improved executive function, are widely recognized.
This benefit was observed even in individuals who acquired a second language later in life.
8. Reside in the Mountains
Mountain dwellers tend to enjoy longer lives. The evidence is clear: whether it’s the long-living communities in the US, with seven out of ten located in Colorado’s high-altitude counties, or the small Sardinian mountain village of Ovodda, where men are just as likely as women to reach 100, the health benefits of mountain air are undeniable.
Perhaps it’s because living on a mountainside means half your walks are uphill, providing a natural cardiovascular workout every time you step outside. Whatever the reason, relocating to the mountains could add years to your life.
Plus, you’re treated to breathtaking views every single day.
7. Embrace Religion
Do only the good die young? It seems that, regardless of your faith, believing in a higher power might keep you on Earth longer than those who don’t.
Numerous studies highlight a strong link between religious faith and improved health. In a meta-analysis of 42 independent studies, Michael E. McCullough from the National Institute for Healthcare Research found that non-religious individuals had a higher mortality rate when followed up over time.
The Seventh Day Adventists in Loma Linda, California, serve as a prime example. They are among the longest-living communities in the US, even those who don’t adhere to the church’s vegetarian diet.
It remains unclear whether this longevity stems from the strong social support within religious groups or some form of divine influence.
6. Gene Therapy
While not yet available for humans, in 2012, researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre extended the lifespan of mice by up to 24% using gene therapy. The breakthrough was that the treatment was applied to adult mice. Earlier attempts involved altering genes in mouse embryos, but such methods are unlikely to be deemed ethical for humans.
Pro tip – the earlier the treatment, the more effective. Mice treated at one year old lived longer than those treated at an older age.
5. Become Wealthy
If you were considering a minimalist lifestyle free from material possessions, think again if longevity is your goal. Wealth and a long, healthy life are strongly linked worldwide. Poorer nations naturally have shorter life expectancies due to limited healthcare funding, but even in wealthy countries, the affluent outlive the less fortunate.
You might want to rethink leaving the rat race. The wealthy truly enjoy advantages that the less privileged do not.
4. Strive Diligently and Manage Stress
Further disappointing updates. The Longevity Project, an extensive study examining data spanning eight decades, starting from 1921, on a cohort of 1,500 children, uncovered unexpected insights. Children who were carefree, cheerful, and humorous tended to have shorter lifespans compared to their more diligent, focused, and cautious peers. As they grew older, these individuals showed greater dedication and involvement in their professional lives. Perhaps it's time to reconsider a more serious approach.
This contradicts previous studies that linked happiness directly with health. Indeed, the two are related, but it's more likely that individuals are happy because they are healthy, rather than health being a result of happiness.
3. Contribute Positively to Society
It’s not just about focusing on yourself. Interestingly, one of the most effective ways to benefit yourself is by assisting others. A comprehensive analysis of over thirty long-term studies conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service revealed that engaging in volunteer work can significantly extend your lifespan, particularly when your motivations are entirely selfless.
Beyond longevity, volunteering helps expand your social circles, and having a strong network of friends in later life also contributes to a longer life. Interestingly, this effect doesn’t seem to apply to family relationships. As the saying goes, you can pick your friends...
2. Regenerate Body Parts
At the time of death, typically only one critical organ fails, while the rest of the body remains functional. Imagine being able to cultivate replacement organs in advance, ready to step in when your current ones give out.
This technology is already a reality. For years, medical professionals have been regenerating skin, and more recently, they’ve advanced to more complex organs like the heart and bladder. A key benefit is that these tissues are developed from the patient’s own cells, eliminating the risk of rejection.
The latest innovation involves 3D printers that utilize computer imaging to produce cell-based structures. These are precise replicas, ensuring a perfect fit within the patient’s body.
While growing a new brain isn’t feasible—since your existing brain holds all your memories and experiences, making a new one essentially a blank slate—replacing other failing organs is now a tangible reality, no longer confined to science fiction.
1. Use Medications – The Correct Ones
The desire for everlasting youth has fueled countless ventures over the centuries, with countless remedies marketed as life-extending solutions. However, certain drugs genuinely exist that have been shown to extend lifespan in animals and likely hold potential for humans as well.
One such drug is rapamycin. Research conducted by David E. Harrison and his team, published in Nature in 2009, demonstrated that administering this drug to mice extended their lifespans by as much as 14%.
Is there a downside? Indeed, rapamycin is commonly given to organ transplant recipients to prevent rejection by weakening their immune systems. However, a compromised immune system increases susceptibility to diseases like cancer.
Nevertheless, the findings with rapamycin suggest that the idea of taking a daily pill to boost longevity is not just a far-fetched fantasy.
