I found this article on the Time Magazine website. It states that people who have a happier disposition, nicer, and also smarter have a better chance of living longer. We talked a lot in class during the centenarian film about attitude and how that plays a large role in longevity. This article ties into that a lot. But it also talks about IQ being a huge determinant of later health. One part that stuck out a lot to me was that people with a lower IQ were more likely to have disorders that stem in large part from genes. I wasn't aware that there was a correlation, or maybe even causation between intelligence and lifespan.
Check out "How Being a Jerk Shortens Your Life"
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Financial Aging
I think I'm in the same boat as a lot of people with regards to this exercise. I think so many of the numbers I was putting in were hypotheticals at this point. It's hard to know what kind of income I'll be making, and my possible spouse (especially in the economy we're living in today).
The exercise did bring up the issue that once I do start working for salary and I'm in a position to start putting away money for retirement, I better figure out what all of it means!
The exercise did bring up the issue that once I do start working for salary and I'm in a position to start putting away money for retirement, I better figure out what all of it means!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Centenarian Film
Content: How does this information relate to what we've already talked about?
The information covered in the Centenarian video is very relevant to what we have previously talked about in class. The video mentioned how many of the participants had the gene for Alzheimer's, but how few actually expressed the gene. We have talked previously about how surprising it is that so many people have the gene for Alzheimer's. The video also mentions all aspects that can affect aging: diet, exercise, social relations, attitude. I think we have done a good job of covering many aspects of aging so far in class.
Self: What impact does this information have on you?
This information impacts me greatly. It gives me an example for how I would want to act if I were to live that long. It also gives me a sense of how important family is once you are that old. If any of may family members live that long, I know that I will want to be one of the close social relationships they have that is so important.
It
While watching the video I also thought about so many of the social relationships (like friends and spouses) that have already passed on. I think that makes me the saddest. Even though these individuals are living so long and that is quite an accomplishment, the people they have shared most of their lives with have already passed. Is it worth it?
World: What are potential implications that can be made from this info?
I thought that this video gave a great insight into the lives of people in their 100's. Because that many people don't live that long, it's important to know how they feel about themselves, what they need from others and how they wish to be treated. This is important for family members, and those who will care for them, and those who will care for future generations that live that long.
Practice: How can I use this information?
The thing that stood out to me the most from the video was the mentality of the centenarians. They were so relaxed about their ages. They didn't define themselves by how old they were, but rather, all the experiences and people they are surrounded by. This is a wonderful outlook on life for people of all ages. It's something I can implement now and continue for the rest of my life.
The information covered in the Centenarian video is very relevant to what we have previously talked about in class. The video mentioned how many of the participants had the gene for Alzheimer's, but how few actually expressed the gene. We have talked previously about how surprising it is that so many people have the gene for Alzheimer's. The video also mentions all aspects that can affect aging: diet, exercise, social relations, attitude. I think we have done a good job of covering many aspects of aging so far in class.
Self: What impact does this information have on you?
This information impacts me greatly. It gives me an example for how I would want to act if I were to live that long. It also gives me a sense of how important family is once you are that old. If any of may family members live that long, I know that I will want to be one of the close social relationships they have that is so important.
It
While watching the video I also thought about so many of the social relationships (like friends and spouses) that have already passed on. I think that makes me the saddest. Even though these individuals are living so long and that is quite an accomplishment, the people they have shared most of their lives with have already passed. Is it worth it?
World: What are potential implications that can be made from this info?
I thought that this video gave a great insight into the lives of people in their 100's. Because that many people don't live that long, it's important to know how they feel about themselves, what they need from others and how they wish to be treated. This is important for family members, and those who will care for them, and those who will care for future generations that live that long.
Practice: How can I use this information?
The thing that stood out to me the most from the video was the mentality of the centenarians. They were so relaxed about their ages. They didn't define themselves by how old they were, but rather, all the experiences and people they are surrounded by. This is a wonderful outlook on life for people of all ages. It's something I can implement now and continue for the rest of my life.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
How Long Will I Live?
I just took the Life Expectancy quiz, and it spit out a number higher than I would have guessed. My immediate reaction was, "If I do live that long, I hope I'm still kicking!" In the quest for longevity, I think we sometimes lose sight of the fact that even if we live to our late 90's or 100's, our friends and those that we have shared our life with until this point are probably not going to be around. Is it worth living a long time when you have no one to share it with? I'm not so sure.
Anyways, back to the question at hand. I've taken tests like this one before, and so I was expecting a lot of the questions that it asked. I think it is hard, though, to determine someone's life expectancy with a couple dozen questions. I think there's more to it than that. Of course a lot of our answers are going to change in the next couple of years, too, and so our expected age will be altered.
Overall I found the quiz interesting and a fun little exercise.
Anyways, back to the question at hand. I've taken tests like this one before, and so I was expecting a lot of the questions that it asked. I think it is hard, though, to determine someone's life expectancy with a couple dozen questions. I think there's more to it than that. Of course a lot of our answers are going to change in the next couple of years, too, and so our expected age will be altered.
Overall I found the quiz interesting and a fun little exercise.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Genetics or Environment?
Centenarians- The role of genetics
This article opens by saying that it seems likely there is a genetic factor to long lifespan, because there have been plenty of people who make the same lifestyle choices of centenarians and face the same environmental factors, who pass away at an average age.
The article goes on to also question the genetic factor of centenarians. It states that "genes don't "care" about longevity because they're only concerned with procreation." They don't care whether a person lives to be 100 or 110. All genes care about is if a person has been able to reproduce.
The article uses the analogy of airplane engineers being similar to our genes. Engineers don't care if planes can fly all over the world in one flight, they just care that they can get rom point A to point B. This is similar to our genes not caring whether we get to be 100 or 110. All they care is that we get to the point of reproduction.
My question at this point, is if this theory is correct, why do we ever live beyond 40 years of age?
The article quickly answers my questions, stating that a longer lifespan allows for more child-bearing years and parents who can raise their children into adulthood.
The next section of the article discusses the Hayflick phenomenon. It says that cells follow a type of clock and are only able to make x number of cell divisions in their lifetime before they slow down and completely stop dividing. This is thought to be the genetic process of aging.
The article says that they started researching siblings who were both centenarians. At this point, it was hard for them to deny some type of genetic factor.
Monday, January 31, 2011
What Processes Cause Aging?
This chapter was pretty chalk full of biological reasons for aging, which made it a little harder for me to grasp. I liked that they compared the oxidation in the body to that of metals (causing patina etc) and the browning of steak. It made it a little more tangible, and easier for me to understand. I thought it was very interesting that oxygen (what we need to live) aids in our death. So ironic.
I've never thought of oxygen and glucose in this way, and it was eye opening to all of the components that contribute to aging and death.
Overall, I found the chapter interesting, but I'm hoping that some overview in class tomorrow will help me understand it a bit more.
I've never thought of oxygen and glucose in this way, and it was eye opening to all of the components that contribute to aging and death.
Overall, I found the chapter interesting, but I'm hoping that some overview in class tomorrow will help me understand it a bit more.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Why We Age
This is a tough question, and it's one that the reading couldn't even answer. I'm not sure that I can either. The reading was able to say that death played into the survival of the fittest theory, but it didn't give a logical reason for the deterioration of the body. I think that aging occurs because of a deterioration of the body and the body's systems. This still doesn't answer what purpose aging has, though.
I did have a thought though. Maybe age and the term "old" is all relative. I remember when I was 10 and 12 and thought that 20 year olds were soooo old. Well, now I'm 21, and I think I'm young, but I look at older generations and consider them "old." And I'm sure when I'm 50 and 60 I'll still feel young, but those who are 70 or 80 will be old. I guess my point is that age and what is old is always changing. It's never concrete.
Just a thought...
Here's an interesting link about a girl who was featured on a TLC show. She is a 16 year old who is the size of a two year old. She looks about two as well, it's as if she hasn't aged...
Doctor's think she might hold the key to immortality, and they want to research her DNA makeup to see what gene(s) might be causing her lack of physical maturity.
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=7880954&page=2
I did have a thought though. Maybe age and the term "old" is all relative. I remember when I was 10 and 12 and thought that 20 year olds were soooo old. Well, now I'm 21, and I think I'm young, but I look at older generations and consider them "old." And I'm sure when I'm 50 and 60 I'll still feel young, but those who are 70 or 80 will be old. I guess my point is that age and what is old is always changing. It's never concrete.
Just a thought...
Here's an interesting link about a girl who was featured on a TLC show. She is a 16 year old who is the size of a two year old. She looks about two as well, it's as if she hasn't aged...
Doctor's think she might hold the key to immortality, and they want to research her DNA makeup to see what gene(s) might be causing her lack of physical maturity.
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=7880954&page=2
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