thoughts on the news of the day: old age

hmmm…..

            President Obama is turning 50.  And there are pictures all over the net of his gray hair that has changed since he took office.  We are getting older – that’s a fact.  And most of us want to live a long, long time.

            Recent research on people 95 and older has shown, though, that all the things we thought would help us to live longer turn out not to be so true.  Smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and poor eating habits didn’t seem to make much difference in the study group.  One woman who was 107 had smoked for 90 years!

            What seems to matter in the longevity curve is genes.  Those who had relatives of old age seemed to live longer lives also.  So if Aunt Helen lived to be 92, you might, too.  Or maybe not.  Disease is still a factor.  And this study is no excuse to give up your clean living.  Genetics isn’t everything.  Good diet, exercise, not smoking, etc. can still add years to your life.

            I want to live a long life.  My grandmother lived to be 94 and my Dad will celebrate his 91rst  birthday tomorrow.  So my chances are pretty good that I will be around for a long while.    But I still think I’ll eat my vegetables, walk my dog and give up sweets.  That can’t hurt and it might help.

            hmmm…..