100 years young

Aging without sickness and other claims from the “longevity movement” [Healthline]( [Wellness Wire]( IN a nutshell Howdy, folks! Imagine if you could live into your 80s, 90s, and beyond without chronic disease or other health concerns. Many in the “longevity movement” believe that reality is on the horizon. Today, we take a closer look at this futuristic area of research and give tips for how to lead a longer, healthier life. We’ll also be talking about: • [my all-time favorite product for protection against skin aging]( • [the myth that light drinking is healthy]( • [animal protein versus plant protein]( • [how to sleep like an Olympian]( • your chance to share what gives you purpose in life Stay sharp, Ginger Wojcik Newsletter Editor, Healthline Written by Ginger Wojcik April 19, 2023 • 5 min read [What if you could stay healthy into your 100s?]( what’s got us buzzing [What if you could stay healthy into your 100s?]( tl;dr: - The “longevity movement” aims to develop therapies to help humans live longer, healthier lives. - Most experts agree that longevity therapies won’t be available to the public anytime soon. - Check out [our article]( to learn more about habits for a long, healthy life. OK, give me the elevator pitch. The “longevity movement” is a social and scientific push to develop therapies that can delay aging and extend healthy human life spans. Some promising avenues of research into longevity include [gene editing]( and the study of senescence. While longevity research has been chugging along for the last decade or so, there’s been a flare-up of interest after [it was reported]( last month that OpenAI founder Sam Altman invested $180 million in a startup working to extend human life spans. So how soon until these longevity therapies are available to the public? No one can say for sure. While the field is quickly evolving, longevity therapies are in the early stages of development. “While there is optimism about the potential for extending human lifespan, it is difficult to predict with certainty when such therapies will be available to the public,” says Lalitha McSorley of [Brentwood Physiotherapy Calgary](. “The timeline for the availability of effective longevity therapies may depend on the outcomes of ongoing research, clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and other factors.” Is there anything I can do in the meantime to stay healthy as I age? You bet! Research shows that the length of your life is only about [25%]( genetic. This means that environmental and lifestyle habits play an outsized role in maintaining longevity. Some of the [best things]( you can do to extend your healthy years include eating a Mediterranean style diet, exercising regularly, staying socially connected, and limiting alcohol and other substances, among others. More on aging: - [10 Foods That Support Healthy Aging]( - [A Healthy Aging Guide to Strength Training and Stretching at Home]( - [Scientists Reversed Aging in Mice: Can They Do It in Humans?]( - Our [Healthy Aging Hub]( great finds Editor faves with health perks [Paula Choice’s Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30]( [Paula Choice’s Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30]( Wearing a [daily SPF]( is one of the most important ways to protect your skin against signs of aging. I searched high and low for a mineral SPF that I actually enjoyed wearing and this one from Paula’s Choice is by far my favorite. The oil-free formula goes on so light I can barely feel it’s there. And unlike other mineral SPFs, it doesn’t leave a cast on my skin. At roughly $40 for 2 ounces, it isn’t the cheapest SPF, but as the most important step of my skin care routine, I find it’s more than worth it. Note: I have combination skin and a fair complexion. [Shop Now]( Every product we recommend has gone through [Healthline's vetting process](. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. say what Look who’s talking “I don’t overly curate my garden. I leave fallen leaves, I don’t fret about weeds, and I try to work with the wildlife.” – [Garden Marcus]( Spring has sprung, and if you’re lucky enough to have some soil to tend, you might find inspiration from positivity and plant enthusiast Marcus Bridgewater, aka [Garden Marcus](. From how to [make your own compost]( and [how to propagate vines](, Marcus makes short and sweet videos on the various responsibilities of caring for plants. His [most recent]( is about how to garden in harmony with the natural world. [Turns out there aren’t any health benefits to drinking alcohol]( Wednesday Kick Start [Turns out there aren’t any health benefits to drinking alcohol]( While past research has linked moderate alcohol intake to health benefits like [reduced risk of heart disease](, a [new systematic review]( involving 4.8 million participants has found otherwise. The large analysis found that moderate drinking (defined as one drink or fewer per day for women and two drinks or fewer per day for men) [doesn’t]( have any health-protective effects. Even red wine? Yup. The review didn’t find evidence to support the common claim that red wine is “healthier” because of its high antioxidant content. “Red wine's touted benefit for health turns out to be a myth in light of recent data,” says [Paul Linde](, MD. OK, so how much alcohol is safe to drink? It’s hard to say for sure. The [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)]( recommends no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. But it also says that even this level of drinking can cause health issues. Meanwhile in Canada, newly revised [drinking guidelines]( advise sticking to two drinks or fewer a week for men and women to stay in the low risk category. Learn more about alcohol and your health: • [Alcohol and Health: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly]( • [How Long Does It Take to Detox from Alcohol?]( • [Quitting Drinking: How to Make a Plan That Works for You]( health stories you need What we’re reading next [] 🥭 ️️️[The 10 sweetest fruits.]( While figs, mangos, and watermelon pack a sugary punch, these sweet fruits are a healthy alternative to many processed treats. Here’s why. ✈️ [What actually happens when there’s a medical emergency on a plane?]( (Spoiler alert!) Logan Roy’s mile-high crisis in Succession has fans wondering what would happen in real life. 😴 [How to sleep like an Olympian.]( Gold Medalist Gabby Thomas learned early on in life that to perform her best, sleep was a nonnegotiable. Learn about her pre-bedtime routine here. 💪 ️️️[Animal protein versus plant protein.]( Is one better for building muscle? Healthline spoke with some experts to help clear up this common debate. you’re up They say having a purpose is one of the most powerful ways to stay engaged with life. As I’ve mentioned many times before, having surfing as the emotional and physical center of my life is nothing short of profound. Purpose can look so many different ways. It’s good for us all to be reminded of what it can look like for other people, especially if we need inspiration in our own lives. So I’m turning it over to you to share. We want to know: What gives you purpose? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming edition!) A couple weeks back, we asked you to submit photos for our first ever pet photo contest and to share how your pet helps you stay healthy. We received so many sweet replies and adorable pet photos. So thank you to everyone who wrote in! Reading through them was the best part of my workday. We were struck by one response, in particular, from reader Cyndy B. about her cat Chinook. Cyndy’s response was so heartfelt that we decided to crown Chinook the winner. (But, of course, all of your sweet pets are winners, too). Here is an excerpt from Cyndy’s email: I was diagnosed with PTSD at 51 and have tried several approaches to being well. It took many years of treatment and exploration until I finally found that I was ready to love and trust again. This little blessing I adopted under a year ago from a local rescue. Win-win. Chinook arrived in an old crate, freshly spayed after having a litter. Like me, a mommy…. She’s playful and funny, chatty and smart. It has been the best medicine being able to share my life with a tiny and beautiful soul. I still have dark moments; that’s the reality of mental strife…. Yes to your article, sometimes a sense of purpose is the best medicine. [Chinook] Until next time, [healthline]( Take care of yourself, and we’ll see you again soon! [Telegram] This edition was powered by those sweet exercise endorphins. [fb]( [tiktok]( [insta]( [View in browser]( Did a friend send you this email? [Subscribe here.]( To see all newsletters, [click here.]( [Privacy]( | [Unsubscribe]( Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. © 2023 Healthline Media LLC 275 7th Ave., 24th Floor New York, NY 10001