Longevity is advancing slowly but steadily. Hentry Kissinger (RIP) has recently died at 100. Many people in the world (especially in Japan) died at a similar age, even a few years beyond that.
According to science, the average person's DNA is programmed to about 120 years.
The Bible mentions 120 in Genesis 6:3. In Hebrew there's a blessing which says " May you live until 120" ( ad meah ve essrim!).
According to Wikipedia , the french woman Jeanne Calment (1875-1997) is the oldest documented person who ever lived. She made it to 122 despite smoking everyday for 96 years. She lived on her own until age 110 when she moved into a nursing home. Amazing!
Following , are two women aged 119: the american Sara Knauss and the japanese Kane Tanaka ; both died in 2022. Kane Tanaka had several major ilnesses during her life including cancer at 45, and at 103; underwent surgery, and.. survived.
We think we know and understand the secret of longevity. We don't. It's very complex; it involves luck, genetics, wisdom, health care, diet , life style, character. In Kissinger's case, he had a younger and very intelligent wife; that must have helped his longevity too:)
The important part in any research on longevity is expanding the health span rather than life span. If the consequence is a longer life then, that's a nice bonus.
I suppose it was after Noah's flood that man no longer lived longer than 120 years. Methuselah was 969. It's hard to imagine what you would do with that many years. Build pyramids? 😄
ReplyDeleteSo far, it's the possibility of living to 120 not beyond, that is being discussed and researched among scientists.
DeleteInteresting unknown factors to longevity.
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic, for sure.
DeleteI warmly agree with your last paragraph. Expanding the health span is what most people would prefer ...nobody wants to see their beloved parents descend into dementia and immobility.
ReplyDeleteRight. Priority goes to health span. This is the main goal of scientific research. Life span is only a by product of the main target.
DeleteGiven my current infirmities the thought of living/existing to 120 fills me with horror. An expanded health span could make a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteI remember visiting a lady of 90. She seemed ok for her age, and yet she said she was tired of living; she wishes to go. I felt rather shocked by her words.
DeleteI don't think I would be shocked. If she has outlasted her family and contemporaries and is becoming limited in what she can do I understand where she is coming from.
DeleteHer words found me somehow "unprepared", but I see your point and I agree with your view.
DeleteI know about Jeanne Calment because she had sold her house under a special French law which permitted her to live there as long as she chose. She was very old at the time, and the buyer ended up waiting about thirty years to get in! I'm not even sure he survived her.
ReplyDeleteJudging by her age and the story of her house sale, one could say she was one of a kind!
DeleteDearest Duta,
ReplyDeleteIt is up to our Creator for keeping us healthy and giving us longevity.
With lots of pain it is no fun to add days/weeks/months/years to your life.
Hugs,
Mariette
I definitely agree with you Mariette - God, our Creator, is above all, inclusive
Deletethe factors mentioned by me as affecting longevity.
Pain and suffering are among the causes that not everyone regards longevity as a good thing.
💞
DeleteI agree with Mariette that our longevity is in God's hands, but I also think that improving our health to live well for as long as possible is something we can do for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both : you and Mariette. It's all in God's hands. However, we should not be passive, but do whatever we can to improve our health.
DeleteHealth span is a much better term than life span! I will use it! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Marie. The two terms, sort of complement each other, but Health span is given priority as it is the main goal .
DeleteI am not sure I want to live that long while everyone else I know and love are long gone..
ReplyDeleteI see what you mean. This thought crosses everyone's mind now and then.
DeleteIt is very interesting how some people live longer than others, what illness they acquire a long the way, yet others go on to live for many years. Don't know living to 120 years old, that is very old :)
ReplyDeleteLiving to 120 is rather scary, but theoretically there are people who wish that.
DeleteLos abuelos paternos de mi esposa murieron ambos a los cien años de edad, su padre tiene ya 93 años, y mi esposa 65, a la que yo me pego mucho a ver si duro por lo menos lo mismo lo mismo que sus abuelos. jeje.
ReplyDeleteYo siempre he pensado y me gustaría hacer hincapié en ello, en considerar la edad de vida, hasta el momento que le llega la demencia o el alzheimer a una persona, pero no le permite razonar, pensar, tomar decisiones y falta de movilidad, desde entonces lo que hace esa persona es vegetar, o lo que es lo mismo una vida meramente orgánica como las plantas.
Así, que si es cuestión de batir record de edad, entonces entra los avances médicos en acción, que te pueden mantener los latidos del corazón, el tiempo que se desee, pero, tu ya no estas, ni has decidido, por lo que son otros los que se adueñan de tu vida.
Al menos es lo que yo pienso.
Un abrazo, amiga Duta.
Your spouse has a good chance to a long life, as genetics is considered a strong factor in affecting longevity.
DeleteScientists have the same thoughts as you and me about age and diseases such as dementia and alzheimer; that's why they give priority in their research to Health span, much less to Life span.
I'm not sure I'd ant to live till 120. It would be interesting, though we'd probably all be poor, on social services and probably a little wigged out. I'm not for an early demise either -- but a good life till it's too complicated or painful to really have a GOOD life.
ReplyDeleteReasonable enough. Most people emphasize their wish for a good life without referring to the span of life , though this does cross their minds.
DeleteSuch an interesting topic. I wonder how attitude plays a part in it too. As you get older it is easy to find fault in everything and yet to be motivated to find the joy in the little things to and of course to keep going somehow in these stressful times. Thanks so much for the wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteThank you ellie. 'Attitude' is the right word (I used the word character). A lot depends on our individual attitude to things.
DeleteBoth my grandmothers lived until they were in their late 90s. My mother made it to 85 so I'll see how long I will last. Living in today's world would be difficult though, it's not a friendly world.
ReplyDeleteWell, you've got fairly good genetics, Bill. Watch your health and life style, and God will be on your side.
DeleteWhat good is it to live such a long time, yet not have the health to truly enjoy your days? I'll leave all this up to God.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Duta!
We pray to God asking for health, Martha, and HE'll decide upon our Life span.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you too!
Yes the one thing we haven't much control over You can stay healthy, but it is no guarantee. Amazing that woman who smoked for 96 years. I don't want to get that old as age mostly comes with problems.
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly, quite a few smokers managed to live a long life, but the case of this super-centenerian is really amazing!
DeleteLong life runs in my family . My paternal grandmother died just four months before turning 100. My mother, who had triple by-pass surgery at 53, lived to be 88. I'm currently 74 and I've often wondered if the Lord will allow me to live as long as either of them. I found your post quite interesting, Duta.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words in the last sentence, Dianna.
DeleteWell, it seems you've got genetics on your side.
I agree totally with health span rather than life span. I had the honor of knowing a woman, one of my husband's cousins, who lived to 107. I knew her for nearly 50 years. At 101 she was still totally independent with such a zest to live and learn. She was amazing, but then broke her hip falling while making her bed. After that things were never the same for her. She was a gem and your post made me think of her with much fondness. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad, Alana, that my post has reminded you of that wonderful centenerian, your husband's cousin.
DeleteSadly, in old age, fallings are a constant hazard. I can well imagine that her broken hip changed things for her.
I don't want to live that long. I already have health issues and don't want to be around old and frail with a bunch of health issues.
ReplyDeleteYou sound determined. What if your health issues get solved? That could happen, you know? Gradually, slowly, but improving things and prolonging life.
DeleteI'm not sure that I want to live until I'm 120yrs.
ReplyDeleteMy Grandmother reached the age of 99yrs.
I try to live as healthily as possible, so time will tell.
All the best Jan
Most people react as you do - not sure they wish to get to 120 years. It's the fear of major diseases that might affect their health as they advance in age.
DeleteTen years ago I would have told you that living to 120 years would be a good goal. Now, even though I eat healthy food and exercise on a regular basis I have so many achy body parts the idea of so many extra decades isn't as appealing.
ReplyDeleteLongevity might bring with it diseases such as the incurable dementia and alzheimer which rob one of one's identity - that makes it unappealing.
DeleteBody aching parts could get relief from various medical sources and enable a longer life span.
it does seem that the life span of so many has increased, Duta, and I am hoping that longevity in my family will extend to myself. My grandfather was in his 90s when he passed as was my late mother. There are many who exercise and eat healthier foods to extend their lives and those who do not and ironically some of the ones who led a healthier lifestyle have passed at relatively early ages.
ReplyDeleteWe are not sure of wishing to reach age 120, mainly because health issues get stronger as we approach old age, and make life a burden rather than a pleasure.
DeleteAnyway, nowadays, living to 120 is not an utopia; it's possible due to better life conditions.
Hola Duta, yo también pienso que la longevidad tiene que ver con la genética y el estilo de vida que llevamos. Una entrada muy interesante.
ReplyDeleteAbrazos.
Thanks, Conchi. Longevity is one of the few topics that people usually agree on the main factors that enable it (genetics, lifestyle).
DeleteYes one does not know how long we have on Earth. More folks are living longer for sure though. Janice
ReplyDeleteTrue - 1. No one knows how long we'll live. 2. More people are living longer.
DeleteI've no desire to live that long...and more particularly if humans keep behaving they way they're behaving. And, I certainly do not want to end up bedridden with others having to care for me.
ReplyDeleteAn endless sleep would be the best way to go.... :)
I would like to live to be 100 but only if in good health and sound mind! I am becoming more aware lately of my own mortality, so many changes and losses since covid struck.
ReplyDelete"...good health and sound mind" - that's what we all wish for. If that's possible , then we won't mind to live longer, we would even like it.
DeleteI like this post. It’s an interesting read. Your blog is truly thought-provoking. I would not want to live 100+ years with constantly failing health and decreasing brain function. The way the world is changing is also not something to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. Wishing you a blessed Week, my friend!
Thanks for your kind words, dellgirl.
DeleteI'm with you on the three reasons you've mentioned for not wanting to live 100+years:
1. failing health 2. decline in brain function 3. unfavorable change of the world
Interesting to think about. My parents didn't reach ninety, but just below. Despite the hunger and malnutrition they endured as children, they still lived to be so old! There was a tile on the wall in my parents' bedroom with the inscription: 'My times are in your hands.' (Psalm 31:15) That tile is now mine. It's in my bedroom. It's ugly, but the text comforts me. And just the idea that they looked at it, believed it, and now I look at it.
ReplyDeleteThe tile is beautiful , Aritha, because it belonged to your parents, and because of the inscription on it.
DeleteMy grandfather passed away yesterday at the age of 100
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss, Ashok. My sincerest condolences.
Delete