So You’re 40. here’s How To make it to 80. comfortably
Chronology is one thing, but is it possible to biohack your way to a younger biological clock? Yes, says the latest approach to ageing.
Hack your biological clock for a longer lifespan.
THE BRIEF
Time to read: 5 minutes
Time to action: 30 minutes
Mantra: Age is chronology, not biology
Main message: Altering your body chemistry can produce some life-expanding results
Stat: 81 years: The average UK life expectancy – but it’s possible to live better, for longer
Health can feel like never-ending war. Fighting cravings. Duty over desire. Sacrifices for longer term betterment.
But one of the most notable battles is chronology vs biology. And it’s even bigger than Arnie in the 80s. If you can get your biology fighting for you, can it actually boost your chronology? It turns out the answer is yes – but there is a right way to do it.
Below we have listed the 4 key things to keep in mind as you work to reactivate your age and grow younger…
1. Your can only digest a finite number of calories
It’s time to talk telomeres – those little protective caps on the end of your chromosomes. The longer the telomere, the better it is for your life expectancy.
As you go through life they get shorter, so the challenge for longevity (and you) is to see if they can be lengthened. To date, the results are encouraging: when mice were fed a restrictive calorie-controlled diet, their telomere length increased and they lived longer.
For you – assuming you’re not a mouse – the food consumption equivalent is essentially intermittent fasting. There are already countless studies that show the health benefits of intermittent fasting, especially on lowering blood pressure, something the UK could desperately do with right now.
2. Happiness slows the count
Are you happy on the inside, or are you just playing your Joker for the outside world? Alas, you can fool other people, but not your body.
You see, happiness comes from your neurotransmitters releasing endorphins which in turn help you to live longer. As a FORM reader, you’ll know about the SELF(ish) theory: the idea that you must take care of yourself to care for others. Your happiness and health simply cannot be neglected if you want to watch out for those you care about for as long as you are able to.
This is evidenced by your body's chemical reaction to the release of endorphins. Happiness has been the subject of a myriad of trials, concluding with an average 9% drop in the likelihood of dying for every additional point on your happiness scale.
3. The first 40 years are free
The flip side in seeking out a healthier lifestyle and searching for even more happiness is knowing what to avoid as much as what to aim for.
It’s the usual suspects, of course: cigarette smoke (not just the cigarette); fried foods; alcohol; sugar. They all produce free radicals within your body, which are essentially pollutants. Obviously you can’t avoid them all of the time, so with the exception of cigarettes, aim for the 80:20 rule – which is as close to having your cake and eating it as you can get. There’s no point in cake otherwise.
Your first 4 decades are still possible even at 20:80, but if you want to look forward to the next 40 years, stick to the 80:20 rule. We’ll meet you back here in 2063 to see how you’re getting on.
4. Aim for balance, not perfection
Pollutants can be combated with antioxidants. Remember to add things like blueberries, kale, and olives to your diet – they’re more than just preventative, they’re also proactive. They can help you to live a good and longer life.
Always remember to find the balance with proactive change and actively enjoying your life. As much fruit and veg (frozen or fresh) as the cost of living will allow, coupled with a good portion of protein, and you’ll be on track without too much compromise.
The keys to beating the biological clock lies within fighting free radical damage, keeping your telomeres long, and fundamentally recognising your own enjoyment of what surrounds you. Happiness in a lifestyle balance is the key to giving yourself longevity for as long as your protein synthesis allows it.
Think well, eat well, work out well. The chronology might keep ticking over, but the biology? That’s just a number that can go up very, very slowly – if you want it to.
DR DRAGON
A GP for an eclectic community, Dr Dragon is a prolific author in the world of health. Award-winning for his content creation and ability to answer the actual questions asked of him, his theories are always worth listening to for those looking for the little things that can make a real difference in our lives.
