Multivitamins, Less Oxygen, and Mediterranean Diet

So far, Age and Prosper has 1,500 subscribers and counting! This week we want to try a different format and instead of providing a single theme, we are going to focus on the popular science based longevity studies from the past few week.

We want to hear from you!

Which do you prefer, the theme-based newsletters on longevity or the aggregate-based newsletters showcasing the current scientific trends from recent news? What is more beneficial to you? Or maybe you like both and want variation. Please comment in today’s newsletter or email us at info@tomsandersphoto.com.

New Research on the Mediterranean Diet

A new Stanford Medicine study reveals that those who consume a Mediterranean diet that is high in olive oil and nuts usually live longer than those who consume a diet made up mostly of processed foods, meat, and dairy. While you may already have this knowledge on the Mediterranean diet, the new research showcases why this diet is advantageous at the cellular level.

Oleic acid, one of the fats found in the Mediterranean diet, was discovered by researchers to be capable of increasing the amount of two important organelles in cells, while simultaneously protecting them from oxidative damage.

Low Oxygen Environments May Increase Lifespan

Harvard Medical School scientists reported in a new study that when a strain of mice with short life spans were placed in an environment with low oxygen levels akin to a Mount Everest base camp, they defied expectations and lived 50 percent longer than expected. The theory is that less oxygen reduces cellular damage and stimulates cells to clear out and recycle damaged components more efficiently, thereby slowing down the aging process.

One suggestion we were thinking about how to incorporate low oxygen environments in a natural and safe way without moving to the mountains is Wim Hof’s breathing method. In the breathing exercise you do 4 rounds 30 rapid inhalations and exhalations and then hold your breath for as long as you can after each round of 30 breaths. The breathing exercise both increases and decreases oxygen levels.

Live Longer and Stronger!

Hello, friends! We hope you all had a fantastic Independence Day this week. Over the holiday, between BBQs and swims and Allison belting out “Hamilton” songs at the top of her lungs, we got to talking about longevity in America as compared to the rest of the world. We wondered, how does our life expectancy hold up here in the land of the red, white, and blue, and why?

Your authors are both 39 years old (young enough to be called “young;” old enough for saggy neck skin, among other things. According to current studies, Tom will live to the age of 79 and Allison will live to 81. That puts us squarely in the zone of “middle life,” despite the cultural concept of middle life being around 50-60 years of age. Let’s just go ahead and breeze past that though, before Allison races out and buys herself a mid-life crisis MINI Cooper Countryman convertible with a tan leather interior, a Rebel Green exterior. Just, you know, for example, off the top of my head.

Above, a photo Tom took of a wine grower showing off his soil for Bedrock Wine Co., we also thought it looked like the sand of an hour glass symbolizing the passing of time.

Tom had a meeting a few years back with the CEO Eric Verdin of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, and he told Tom that for every 10 years of scientific research, we get two more years of life. Meaning, we have forty years of future research between now and the time Tom and Allison hit our current life expectancy of around 80, so we can tack on two years per decade for another 8 years each. Hypothetically then, our life expectancy could be closer to 90. (Obviously, we will most likely live much longer thanks to everything we’ve learned producing Age and Prosper!)

Life Expectancy in 2021

Above a map from Our World in Data, show casing the life expectancy from around the world.

So, where are people living the longest? You’ll never guess which country is leading! Or at least, we wouldn’t have guessed. According to World Population Review, Monaco has the longest life expectancy of any country. Monaco, the playground of the rich and famous! (Note to self: research causal relationship between casinos and longevity.) Only kidding; Monaco likely leads due to its Mediterranean diet, top-notch, state-funded healthcare, and majority percentage of residents with a hearty disposable income.

Unfortunately, the United States barely eeks out a spot in the top 50, and our life expectance in this country is decreasing (more on that below). Still, we sit above the global average.

Let not this be cause for concern, readers. Let this be a greater impetus to take good care of our health!

Below are three articles on life expectancy and what you can do to help increase your years (hint, it has to do with diet, sleep, exercise, being social, and challenging your brain):

This article from NPR showcases why life expectancy is down due to Covid-19 and the opioid crisis.
I would make time to read this article and print it from The New York Times titled “How Long Can We Live?,” discussing how elderly individuals are beating the life-threatening illnesses of their age groups and entering a new era in their lives.
This feature from U.S. News will help you calculate the amount of money you need to retire on depending on your life expectancy.

The top longevity studies to implement into your life.