It is a known fact that thanks to modern medicine people are living to be older than ever before. But that said outside of medical assistance are there things you can do to increase your longevity? This study shows the answer is yes and probably not what you think.

We are always being told eat right and exercise right? Well in this study which has data that spans decades it was not even in the list. Back in 2003 a place was created in California called "Leisure World". Part of being a resident there was agreeing to participate in a study following the changes of age and longevity dubbed the Leisure World Cohort Study. .And we're talking 1600 subjects over 90 who have been tested every 6 months for all those years.  It is the largest and longest study of its kind. So what is the magic elixir to reach 90?

  • Drink coffee and alcohol in moderate amounts
  • Chub up a bit in your 70s as those who do tend to live longer than normal or underweight people did.

So is there a down side?  Here is the sobering part  of the study that will make me continue to eat right and exercise as long as I can.  Almost half of the people in this study over 90 suffer from dementia and also another almost 80% are disabled. Both are more common in women than men.

There were also findings about genes and so on.  I think the key I am taking from this is moderation.  The other thing is living past 90 is fine but I prefer to do it moving and healthy so I don't think I'll hang up my sneakers just yet.

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