Can anyone live a hundred years?

There are families where generations live to a ripe old age. According to current knowledge, however, there is no evidence that this is due to genetic control of life expectancy. Just as there is no evidence that aging is genetically programmed. It is determined by a number of factors, such as, among others, the accumulation of random damage to genetic material, and key proteins and lipids for life, but not by one particular gene. Non-genetic factors play an important role in this process: the level of oxidative stress, the rate of metabolism, inflammatory processes and the body's capacity to fight them. The environment, technological development and access to medical care are crucial. Thus, no matter what genetic predispositions we come into the world with, we cannot determine from laboratory tests how long our lives will last, but we can certainly influence their length.

Research on life expectancy confirms that appropriate behavior slows aging and proper prevention reduces the risk of developing diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, which depend on genetic predisposition. It is already known that genes influence certain aspects of health, but life expectancy depends largely on individual decisions made by each of us. It is estimated that in the 21st century, life expectancy in industrialized countries will remain high and still remain higher than in developing countries. The condition, however, is that there are no epidemics, wars or birth disasters, and that climate warming is stopped. Scientists promise that an important step to raise life expectancy will be the development of tissue engineering, which will succeed in slowing down unfavorable processes for the body. Extreme optimists argue that it will even be possible to double the currently attained average age by correcting unfavorable genetic predispositions. Advances in therapies and the creation of modern drugs also offer hope for longevity.

There is a growing number of centenarians in Poland and around the world. However, their high life expectancy depends on a variety of variables, and it is not easy to point clearly to the universal parameters on which it depends. An international group of researchers, at the initiative of health promoter, American journalist Dan Buettner, under the auspices of National Geographic, began a several-year demographic study in 2000 to select the regions in the world where the most centenarians live and to study exactly why this is possible. Initially, five places were selected. They were the province of Nouro in Sardinia, Italy, the Japanese island of Okinawa, the Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica, the Greek island of Ikaria and the town of Loma Linda in California. Why is it that people there live really long lives? It's a legitimate question, if only because life in these places has usually been hard and not very prosperous and also requiring intense physical exertion related to food production, among other things. Research and lifestyle analysis have uncovered local secrets that most likely contribute to life extension. In the conclusions to the study and in a report produced for Netflix ( Living 100 Years: Secrets of the Blue Zones) years, it was noted that despite territorial and climatic differences, certain behaviors are similar. On this basis, they tried to emerge a recipe for a long life in good health.

In Okinawa, the oldest residents live a lifestyle full of philosophical serenity, underpinned by ikigai, or a sense of purpose, but also by physical labor in the garden and a diet that is only meant to satisfy 80 percent of appetite. In Sardinia, in addition to a regular Mediterranean diet, the mountainous terrain, on the other hand, forces the elderly to take demanding daily hikes on uneven paths. In contrast, people living on the two ends of the world - the Greek island of Ikaria and the Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica - are long-lived thanks to a diet based on local products, rich in fruits and vegetables, and the cultivation of traditional social and family relationships. In California, the Seventh-day Adventist community, maintains physical activity into old age and follows a plant-based diet. All the aforementioned communities live without the undue stress of competition and under good, systematic medical care. It can be said that based on the research presented by Dan Buettner, a pattern of longevity is emerging. It's diet, exercise, and an active family and social life. While the first two parameters have long been obvious to most, the third in many societies leaves much to be desired. Especially in places where, for example, retirement condemns people to loosening social ties and deepening loneliness. Studies show that the lack of purpose for one's existence and companionship in the daily activities of the elderly shortens life, takes away vital energy and often contributes to premature death.

These three key elements for a healthy life expectancy are almost equally important. The basis for success, however, is a simple diet rich in legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals and herbs, with a minimum of meat and no highly processed foods or sugar. It is this that ensures vitality, the desire to stay on the move and sports activities, maintains cognitive function and adequate concentration, and delays the onset of age-related diseases. One could say that the recipe for longevity is trivially simple, but as it turns out, not so easy to transfer to highly developed areas of the world. Unfortunately, where civilization is ruled by processed food, the lack of need to move about on one's own, and the convenience of daily life, it turns out that life expectancy is not growing as fast as expected. Switching to a healthier lifestyle often proves too demanding. And modern societies, accustomed to conveniences, are not ready for the effort. Currently, people prefer to believe that advances in science and medicine will determine longevity. However, all indications are that it will not be a sufficient factor to live to a hundred. It will most likely only work in combination with a healthy lifestyle.