Longevity factors have changed.
No one escapes the passing time. However, some seem to age more slowly than others. What is their secret? Do they have better genes? Impeccable hygiene of life? “Thirty years ago, we considered that longevity was linked to more than 50% to genes. Today, we consider that each passing year sees this figure is reduced, we therefore run rather around 20-25% depending on the studies and we are now emphasizing behavior and environment. This is logical because if our body wears faster, our longevity decreases”explains Dr. Christophe de Jaeger, gerontologist and researcher specializing in aging.
There are also genes that promote resistance from our body to deleterious behavior. Also, when you have grandparents who have lived for a very long time, you can naturally think that you will live for a very long time. “But studies on twins that lead very different lives have highlighted that they had very distinct life expectancy, which means that everything is not in the gene and that behavior also comes into account. It is therefore advisable to avoid toxic behavior (tobacco, alcohol, drugs, pollution, stress, lack of sleep) and to have nutritional behaviors and adapted physical activities” continues the specialist.
In terms of nutrition, it is no longer cholesterol that is in the viewfinder of doctors (or less than before) but sugar. For good reason, sugar is at the origin of glycation, a mechanism that damages all different physiological systems (cardiovascular, cerebral, neurological, etc.). “To promote its longevity, it would be necessary to reduce this taking of sugars, which is all the more complicated since active sugar our brain receptors of satiety, recognition, and happiness. Sugar is addictive so it helps to live on a daily basis but in the long term, it will accentuate the process of senescence”confirms our expert.
Moderate, regular, adapted physical activity is also effective in the proper functioning of our body by allowing us to eliminate certain waste, to maintain low voltage and to reduce our sugar level. It also contributes to our well-being but without switching to excess because it becomes deleterious. We observe that overall, high -level athletes age badly. Conversely, many people think they have sufficient physical activity when it is not. “Hence the interest in requesting a specialized doctor who can advise on the activity that best corresponds to our body, our age, our sex, etc.”concludes Dr. Christophe de Jaeger.
Thank you to Dr. Christophe de Jaeger, gerontologist and researcher specializing in aging, author of “Medicine of Longevity, a Revolution” (Editions Guy Trédaniel).
