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No one expects to live forever, but we are all aware of our mortality and wonder how long we can live. Of course, that time has changed significantly over the course of history. Even as recently as the 1700s, the average person around the world only lived into their 30s, according to a data report from the University of Oxford.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once said that if someone like him were alive today, he would “get a driver’s license at age 5, get married at 9, get divorced at 15, and move to Florida in his late teens.” “It’s going to be a big deal,” he once joked. …And eventually people will start saying things about you like, “Oh, wow, he’s 28 years old and he’s still very guarded.” ”

Today, many factors help explain why we live longer than before, and why someday we may be able to live even longer.

What is the average lifespan?

The average person is expected to live 76.1 years in 2021, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. This number was down slightly from the previous year, but this is likely due to increased mortality related to heart disease, chronic liver disease, and suicide.

However, life expectancy varies from country to country, and currently the average life expectancy worldwide is 73 years. In some countries it may be higher. “The current life expectancy for people living in the United States is 76.4 years for both men and women, 79.3 years for women, and 73.5 years for men,” says Dr. Julia Adamian, chair of NYU Langone Internal Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. York City.

Why do some people live longer than others?

These numbers are most commonly influenced by genetics and individual lifestyle factors such as dietary choices and activity level. Dr. Amit Shah, an internist and geriatrician at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, says genetics plays a big role, and that “up to 25% of longevity is genetic.” The rest is determined by “factors within our control,” he says.

“Some people are more susceptible to diseases like certain cancers and diabetes,” agrees Dr. Justin Jones, primary care physician and chief medical officer at Revere Health in Utah. They emphasize that such predisposing factors need not be decisive in the following cases: A person takes care of himself.

Socioeconomic status also plays a major role in healthy aging and longevity, with poor communities with limited access to health care being hit hardest. The social environment also plays a role. “People living in societies with the longest-lived people (outlined in The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner) have high levels of social engagement with the role older adults should play in their families and society. ” says Shah.

This is further evidenced by 80 years of remarkable scientific research on happiness. A Harvard University study found that the presence of strong and regular relationships ultimately makes a significant difference in both the quality of life and the length of life left.

how to live longer

Therefore, to live a long life, it is important to maintain meaningful relationships and feel important. “I believe it’s very important to have a purpose in life, whatever that means to an individual,” Shah says. “As one of my long-lived patients said, ‘Doctor, you need a reason to get up in the morning!'” He maintains a healthy weight, gets regular physical activity, and He says it’s also important to address heart risks. Factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

What is the Blue Zone Diet? How to eat like the people who live the longest.

“The best way to ensure longevity is to develop healthy eating patterns and exercise habits,” Jones agrees. In addition to making good dietary choices, such as eating high-fiber foods, lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables, you should also avoid foods known to cause the most harm (such as super-healthy foods). ), he says, is also important to avoid. – Processed foods, added sugar, and excess red meat. Avoiding “modifiable risks” such as tobacco products and limiting alcohol intake are also recommended. “Finally, don’t underestimate the benefits of consistent preventive care from your doctor, including annual checkups, regular blood tests, and age-appropriate cancer screenings,” advises Jones.

“We are defined by what we eat and drink, how much we move, what we think, how we view events, our resilience, and how much we care for each other,” says Adamian. “There is no secret to longevity, but these are the main ingredients.”

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