Medical Minutes: visionary breakthroughs

WHO ARE YOU CALLING OLD?

MEDICAL MINUTES BY JOHN SCHIESZER

The number of people who are living past the age of 100 has been on the rise for decades, up to nearly half a million people worldwide. The oldest living person, Jeanne Calment of France, was 122 when she died in 1997. Currently, the world’s oldest person reportedly is 118-year-old Kane Tanaka of Japan. Such extreme longevity, according to American researchers at the University of Washington, likely will continue to rise slowly by the end of this century, and now estimates show that a lifespan of 125 years, or even 130, is possible. Longevity has ramifications for government and economic policies, as well as individuals’ own health care and lifestyle decisions. The researchers, who published their findings in the journal Demographic Research, used statistical modelling to examine the extremes of human life. With ongoing research into ageing, the prospects of future medical and scientific discoveries and the relatively small number of people to have verifiably reached age 110 or older, experts have debated the possible limits to what is referred to as the maximum reported age at death. While some scientists argue that disease and basic cell deterioration lead to a natural limit on human lifespan, others maintain there is no cap, as evidenced by record-breaking supercentenarians (age 110 or older). Researchers estimated a near 100 per cent probability that the current record of maximum reported age at death (Calment’s 122 years, 164 days) will be broken. The probability remains strong of a person living longer, to 124 years old (99 per cent probability) and even to 127 years old (68 per cent probability). While many of us know our health affects longevity and quality of life, we struggle to do even the small things that will help us live younger longer, according to Dr. Stephen Kopecky, who is a preventive cardiologist at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. He has written a book entitled “Live Younger Longer: 6 Steps to Prevent Heart Disease, Cancer, Alzheimer’s and More”, and he said there will always be risk factors we can’t change, such as genetics, sex, age or a global pandemic. “But we can control others, such as what we put in our bodies and how much exercise and sleep we get. Prevention should be the cornerstone of medicine because it helps to prepare for the unexpected. COVID-19 highlighted why we need to be more proactive,” said Dr. Kopecky.

Walking Toward a Better Tomorrow Exercise has been shown to give the immune system a boost by maximising the body’s ability to take in and efficiently use oxygen, among other things. “Moderate exercise, where you can talk but not sing while exercising, is enough to increase the activity of virus-killing cells both in the short-term and long-term,” Dr. Kopecky said. ”Even 20 minutes daily can help quell inflammation and boost immunity, and exercise can be divided up during the day. Calming activities and supportive relationships minimise stress, reduce cortisol production and enhance the immune system’s function. “Concern about the health of our loved ones, our jobs, children’s schooling and other stressors will cause an increased production of the hormone cortisol in the body, which in turn can suppress the immune system,” said Dr. Kopecky. Practising mindfulness and stepping away from what’s causing anxiety can help a person stay grounded. Exercises that have calming or meditative qualities, such as yoga, also are beneficial, said Dr. Kopecky. For those who don’t have much time, try practising gratitude by being thankful for three things when going to sleep at night or waking up in the morning. Dr. Kopecky said this habit has been shown to lower stress levels and reduce diseases due to stress.

Sleep Matters Adequate sleep boosts the number of immune cells circulating in the body and improves infection outcomes. The interaction between the immune system and sleep is a two-way street. “When your immune system response kicks in, it changes your sleep,” said Dr. Kopecky. “You may find yourself sleeping longer, for example, as your immune system stages an attack against a virus. When you’re not sleeping well, you may notice that you get sick more easily. Getting adequate sleep can help support the way your immune system functions by increasing the number of immune cells circulating in your body.” Studies in humans on the relationship between sleep and infection link shorter sleep duration with increased risk of pneumonia and respiratory infections. The amount of sleep the immune system needs to function properly is individual. Dr. Kopecky suggests cultivating the habit of putting down the cellphone at least a couple of hours before bedtime. The blue light suppresses melatonin, which helps people get a good night’s sleep.

John Schieszer is an award-winning national journalist and radio and podcast broadcaster of The Medical Minute. He can be reached at medicalminutes@ gmail.com.