"Unlock the Secret to Living Younger for Longer with Norman Swan's Revolutionary New Book"

Which strategies can help us live well beyond 115 years old? While we wait for a pill of eternal youth, there is ample proof that exercise and a Mediterranean-style diet centered around extra virgin olive oil, mostly plants, and legumes, herbs and spices can go a long way. Sex is also a factor in living younger longer as it involves intimacy, social contact, and fitness. Quitting smoking, getting enough sleep, reducing salt intake, being cautious of too much sun, having a relaxed outlook on life, getting fresh air, and enjoying alcohol for its taste and social function without thinking it harmless are also fundamental.

Regarding more innovative approaches to anti-aging (including probiotics, resveratrol, metformin, and NAD boosters), although some of them are not entirely a fraud, Dr. David Swan thinks that they have not been designed for the complexity of the human body yet. Dr. Swan suggests that it might help to adjust the dosage, the duration, or a combination of anti-aging supplements, taking smaller doses and less frequently. Yet, he said that, for now, “we don’t know that yet.”

One aspect of longevity that is often overlooked is our social environment. Dr. Swan says that a child born today in the affluent Sydney area of Mosman or Vaucluse can expect to live past a century, while the lifespan of those living in Australia’s poorest suburbs is around 41 years shorter. Social factors account for some of these health disparities, such as chronic stress related to the environment that can, over time, decrease youthfulness, as seen in Dr. Swan's hometown of Glasgow. There, government housing schemes relocated poor communities away from the city, transport, and services, leading to higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse, depression, anxiety, violence, and self-harm. Young and middle-aged people in these areas “died of despair,” Dr. Swan explained.

Living younger longer entails much more than just eating antioxidant-rich superfoods and taking age-defying potions. However, it's never too late to take charge of our health and turn back the clock, according to Dr. Swan, who used to consume enormous amounts of saturated fat, fatty meat, chips, and even passive smoking during his childhood. Today, he has transformed his diet and includes more exercise to ensure his longevity. Although Dr. Swan still struggles with some food cravings like chips, he exercises regularly with weight training, cardiorespiratory, and climbing stairs, hoping to live beyond 100 years. He admits that he is afraid of what comes after death and wants to stay cognizant as long as possible.

However, longer lifespans also present some challenges regarding resources and job opportunities. For instance, younger professionals may have to wait longer for roles to open up when older members of staff retire. Although Gerontologists are grappling with these concerns, Dr. Swan is more interested in the question of whether we have reached our peak life expectancy yet. Will our bodies fall apart at 120 years because they are not designed for it? Dr. Swan's answer is simple: "We just don't know." To make the most of our health, relationships, fitness, and nutrition, sign up for our Live Well newsletter.