Tag: Longevity

Understanding Longevity: Key Biomarkers for Better Health

August 22, 2025
Portrait of smiling middle easter woman using Pilates ring

Longevity Isn’t About Defying Death. It’s About Enhancing Life.

What if your biological age mattered more than the number on your birthday cake? That’s the promise of longevity markers: biological indicators that reveal how well your body is aging and how you can intervene to live not just longer, but healthier.

Longevity markers are measurable biological signals that reflect your rate of aging, disease risk, and overall vitality. Unlike chronological age, these markers help assess biological age: how well your body is functioning at the cellular, metabolic, and systemic levels.

Key Biomarkers To Watch

HEART & METABOLISM

  • Blood Sugar & Insulin : How your body handles sugar. High levels can signal diabetes risk.
  • Good vs. Bad Cholesterol Ratio: A simple way to gauge heart health.
  • Cholesterol Particle Count: A deeper look at the type of cholesterol that clogs arteries.

INFLAMMATION & CELLULAR STRESS

  • Inflammation Protein: Tells you if your body is fighting hidden inflammation.
  • Immune System Alarm: Signals chronic stress or aging in your immune system.
  • Cell Stress Signal: A marker that shows how hard your cells are working under pressure.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH & MOBILITY

  • Grip Strength: A surprisingly powerful predictor of overall health and longevity.
  • Walking Speed & Balance: Reflects how well your body and brain coordinate movement.
  • Sit-Stand Mobility Test: Measures how easily you can get up and move. An important factor for independence.

GENETICS & HORMONES

  • Alzheimer’s Risk Gene: A genetic clue about brain aging and memory.
  • Cancer Risk Genes: Help to assess your inherited risk for certain cancers.
  • Testosterone & Estrogen Sex Hormones: Affect energy, mood, muscle, and aging.

Add LIfe To Your Years

Longevity isn’t just about adding years to your life, it’s about adding life to your years. By understanding and tracking these key biomarkers, you gain insight into how your body is aging and where you can intervene.

Whether you’re optimizing your diet, refining your exercise routine, or exploring cutting-edge therapies, these markers offer a roadmap to a longer, healthier, and more vibrant life.

Start small. Get curious. And remember: the goal is progress, not perfection.

108-Year-Old Japanese Woman Is Crowned The Oldest Barber In The World

March 18, 2025

“At the astonishing age of 108, Shitsui Hakoishi has been certified as the world’s oldest female barber. Shitsui’s salon is around a three-hour drive from Tokyo, located on the fringe of Tochigi Prefecture surrounded by mountains. In her compact workspace, one will find vintage items such as a pair of scissors that she has been using since the pre-war period”.

Shitsui was officially recognized as the oldest barber in the world by Guinness World Records. She has no plans to retire.

Why American Life Expectancy Is Falling

February 17, 2025

A Mayo Clinic news article written in August 2024 discusses the reasons for the decline in life expectancy in the United States.

The US outspends every country in the world in healthcare. Yet people in the U.S. still live shorter lives than do people elsewhere in the industrialized world.

The Mayo Clinic article cites three main reasons for the decline in longevity.

  • Deaths from opioid drug overdoses.
  • Consumption of overly processed foods such as toaster pastries and sugary cereals.
  • Sedentary lifestyle.

Read the full article at mcpress.mayoclinic.org

Actor Dick Van Dyke Turns 99

December 16, 2024

Dick Van Dyke was born in 1925, and turned 99 on December 13, 2024. His career started in the late 1940s as a radio DJ in Illinois. From there he moved on to television, Broadway theater, and motion pictures.

The actor married for a second time in 2012 to Arlene Silver, who is 46 years his junior. He attributes his well-being to staying active and to his wife. He says that they are very close and that he loves her more every day.

Dick Van Dyke is best known for his role in the movie Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Bye Bye Birdie, and for his tv series The Dick Van Dyke Show.

The life of Dick Van Dyke is celebrated In this 7-minute Coldplay video All My Love.

How Mick Jagger Stays Fit At 83

September 3, 2024

The following article details how Mick Jagger stays in shape at the advanced age of 83.

“Mick Jagger’s health and fitness routine has been instrumental in maintaining his appearance for over twenty years. Here are some key aspects of his routine:

  1. Workout Regimen:
    • Jagger dedicates approximately 3 hours per day, 6 days per week to his workouts.
    • His routine includes a variety of exercises to prioritize flexibility, cardio, and strength.
    • Activities in his workout regimen include ballet, weight training, Pilates, jogging, running, swimming, cycling, and dancing.
    • He also incorporates dynamic stretching to maintain maximum flexibility.
  2. Cardiovascular Commitment:
    • Jagger places a strong emphasis on cardiovascular exercise for heart health and overall endurance.
    • He engages in daily running and includes activities like swimming, cycling, and dancing to further enhance his cardiovascular fitness.
  3. Balanced Diet:
    • Jagger follows a health-conscious diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, chicken, and fish.
    • He has also reportedly tried the keto diet, a high-fat, very low-carb regime that some followers claim helps reduce body fat levels.
    • Jagger’s ex-wife introduced him to the benefits of organic foods, which he has incorporated into his diet.
    • In addition to a balanced diet, Jagger takes multiple vitamins, cod liver oil, ginseng, and ginkgo biloba to improve endurance and brain function.
  4. Consistency and Discipline:
    • Jagger’s commitment to his health and fitness routine is evident in his consistent and disciplined approach.
    • He maintains a regular workout schedule, even when on tour and prioritizes his physical well-being.”

Article Source: Poe.com

The Link Between Flexibility and Longevity

August 27, 2024

One of the four components to a rounded exercise program is stretching. The Exercise Medicine Clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, performed a study to learn if and how flexibility affected longevity.

Researchers tested 3,000 participants over a 28 year period with a follow-up of 12.9 years. They found that people with higher ranges in flexibility tended to live longer than those with lower flexibility ranges.

Read the full 8/26/24 article in Medical News Today