Unveiling the Secrets of Longevity: The Latest Research Findings
We all want to live healthy, fulfilling lives. My own life goals include artistic pursuits, travel, service to others, establishing a charitable organisation that supports young people, cultivating a garden/kitchen and spending fun time with my loved ones. I see myself living a long, strong, flexible, energetic and joyful life. Longevity is a topic that captured my imagination as a teenager having conversations with my paternal grandmother. Because of her own health issues I was inspired to focus on health and wellBEing as a fundamental to all other aspects of my life goals and ambitions. I sensed early on that living intentionally was a huge part of success. I also intuited that if I took care of myself then I would prolong my life and it would not be necessary to rush and charge through my ambitions, thus reducing the stress that I have witnessed contributing to the demise of the health of many people around me.
WellBEing and longevity is now studied by the greatest minds in institutions throughout the world to answer our deep desires about the secrets to living a longer. While genetics and environmental factors play a huge role, and have been part of my own strategies for wellBEing and longevity, recent research suggests that simple habits can significantly impact our lifespan. In this article, we explore easy and practical habits that have been linked to longevity, empowering you to make positive changes that may extend your years and enhance your well-being.
In our quest to crack the nut on how to live long and fulfilling life, researchers worldwide are dedicated to unraveling the secrets of longevity. Groundbreaking studies in the field of aging by experts such as Drs Aubrey de Grey, David Sinclair, Valter Longo, Peter Attia, Cyntia Kenyon, Brian Kennedy, Linda Partridge, Michael Rose and James Kirkland have shed light on the factors that influence our lifespan and identified easy habits that can help prolong it. In this article, I highlight the latest research on longevity and wellBEing and the fascinating discoveries, as underpinning for my practices of nearly 4 decades which have contributed to and resulted in me having truly stopped the ageing clock and ensured the keys to my energetic strong and living a healthy life.
There are several leading scientists and thought leaders in the field of psychological and emotional practices that contribute to longevity. Here is a list of a few notable individuals:
Dr. Kubzansky - a professor of social and behavioral sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her research focuses on the psychological and emotional factors that influence health and longevity, including positive emotions, resilience, and stress management.
Dr. Folkman was a renowned psychologist and a pioneer in the field of stress and coping. Her work on the concept of "coping strategies" and the importance of positive emotional experiences in managing stress has had a significant impact on the field of longevity research.
Dr. Seligman - a leading figure in the field of positive psychology. His research explores topics such as happiness, well-being, and character strengths. He has written extensively on the connection between positive emotions and longevity.
Dr. Lyubomirsky - a professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside. Her research focuses on happiness and well-being, including the practices and strategies that promote long-term happiness and life satisfaction.
Dr. Davidson - a neuroscientist and the founder of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research explores the neural correlates of emotions and the impact of mindfulness and meditation on well-being and longevity.
Other noteable biologiests, geneticists and physicians include:
Dr. de Grey - a biomedical gerontologist and the Chief Science Officer of the SENS Research Foundation. He is known for his research on regenerative medicine and strategies to reverse aging. Dr. de Grey's work focuses on identifying and repairing the damage that occurs in the body as we age. Some of Dr. de Grey's notable works include "Ending Aging: The Rejuvenation Breakthroughs That Could Reverse Human Aging in Our Lifetime" (2007) and "The Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Aging" (1999). He continues to publish and present research on regenerative medicine and strategies to reverse aging.
Dr. Sinclair - is a geneticist and professor at Harvard Medical School. He is recognized for his research on the molecular and genetic mechanisms of aging. Dr. Sinclair's work has centered around understanding how sirtuins, a class of proteins, play a role in longevity and developing interventions to slow down the aging process.Dr. Sinclair has contributed to various publications and research articles, including "Lifespan: Why We Age—and Why We Don't Have To" (2019) and "NAD+ metabolism and the control of energy homeostasis: A balancing act between mitochondria and the nucleus" (2013). His work focuses on the molecular and genetic mechanisms of aging and interventions to promote longevity.
Dr. Longo - a biogerontologist and professor at the University of Southern California. He is known for his research on fasting, caloric restriction, and their effects on aging and longevity. Dr. Longo's work has shed light on the potential benefits of intermittent fasting and fasting-mimicking diets for promoting health and longevity. Dr. Longo has authored several publications, including "The Longevity Diet: Discover the New Science Behind Stem Cell Activation and Regeneration to Slow Aging, Fight Disease, and Optimize Weight" (2018) and "Fasting, Circadian Rhythms, and Time-Restricted Feeding in Healthy Lifespan" (2016). His research explores the effects of fasting, caloric restriction, and dietary interventions on aging and healthspan.
Dr. Attia - a physician and longevity enthusiast. He is the founder of Attia Medical, a medical practice focused on longevity and optimal health. Dr. Attia's work explores various aspects of health and wellness, including nutrition, exercise, metabolic health, and their impact on longevity. Dr. Attia shares his insights on longevity, health, and wellness through his podcast "The Peter Attia Drive" and his website, where he regularly publishes articles and resources. While he doesn't have a specific recent publication in a traditional sense, his work encompasses various aspects of health, longevity, and performance optimization.
Dr. Barzilai - a physician-scientist and the director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He has conducted extensive research on the genetics of exceptional longevity and the factors that contribute to healthy aging. Dr. Barzilai's work has contributed to the understanding of genetic factors that may influence longevity and age-related diseases. Dr. Barzilai has contributed to numerous publications, including "Metformin as a Tool to Target Aging" (2016) and "Genetic Studies Uncover Longevity Pathways" (2016). His research focuses on the genetics of exceptional longevity and identifying factors that contribute to healthy aging.
Dr. Partridge - a geneticist and the former director of the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Aging. Her research primarily focuses on the genetic and environmental factors that influence aging and lifespan. She has made significant contributions to our understanding of the interplay between genetics, lifestyle, and longevity. One of Dr. Partridge's notable achievements is uncovering the relationship between diet and longevity. Her research has demonstrated that dietary interventions, such as calorie restriction, can extend lifespan and improve healthspan. She has investigated how nutrient-sensing pathways and metabolic processes impact aging and age-related diseases. In her work "The New Biology of Aging" (2015) Dr. Partridge examines the emerging concepts and advances in the field of aging research. The paper discusses the genetic, environmental, and cellular factors that contribute to the aging process and the potential for intervention.
Dr. Kirkland - a physician-scientist and the director of the Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging at the Mayo Clinic. He has conducted pioneering research on cellular senescence, inflammation, and age-related diseases. Dr. Kirkland's work focuses on developing interventions to target senescent cells and mitigate age-related health decline. Dr Kirkland's work includes "Targeting Aging" (2020), published in the prestigious journal Cell, and "Senolytics: A Translational Bridge to Longevity?" (2020).
Dr. Kenyon - a molecular biologist and professor at the University of California, San Francisco. She is renowned for her significant contributions research on the genetics of aging and the role of insulin signaling in longevity. Her groundbreaking work with roundworms (Caenorhabditis elegans) has provided valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms and genetic factors that influence lifespan and aging. By identifying key genes and signaling pathways, she discovered that manipulating specific genes can dramatically extend the lifespan of these worms. This groundbreaking finding paved the way for further investigations into the genetic regulation of aging in other organisms, including humans.
Dr. Kennedy - a biologist and the CEO of the National University Health System in Singapore. He has conducted extensive research on the biology of aging and the factors that contribute to lifespan extension. Dr. Kennedy's work focuses on understanding the role of genes, metabolism, and stress response pathways in aging and longevity.
Essentially the work of the above pioneers focuses on both the physical and psychological/emotional aspects that prolong health and are all worthy of further investigation as a way to prolong life and ensure we enter an age where it becomes nothing but a number.