Live to 100 (and enjoy it)

Health, Life Style March 17, 2022

How to Live to 100 Years Old (and enjoy it)

Living to one hundred years old is easier than it sounds. The late Betty White passed a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday on December 31. Although she was known for her attitude, humanitarian work, career, there are many additional traits that can be taken from her to live a life similar to hers. Dr. Robert Lahita said of Betty White, director of the Institute for Autoimmune and Rheumatic Disease at St. Joseph Health: “She had a curious mind and a great sense of humor and laughing a lot can help you live to 100 because it takes off stress.” Because of this, here are five ways to live to one hundred years old.

Chocolate is a great use of antioxidants. Because of the polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins, it actually carries more benefits than fruit. It also carries benefits for your immune system. Garlic similarly, according to Dr. Lahita, is a “powerful antioxidant with antimicrobial, antiviral and some say antibiotic properties”.

Plant-based experts also add to these efforts. Creating a diet that has a balance of fruits and vegetables is essential for a healthy immune system and age longevity. This also helps instill a love of the land and a sense of community.

However, it is important to avoid the use of antibiotics. Dr. Lahita reminds us that any use of antibiotics upsets the gut microbiome. This communicates with your immune system. By overusing antibiotics for sicknesses like the common cold, they can cause harm to your body.

Dr. Lahita also recommends mindfulness for longevity. He says: “I’m a big supporter of mindfulness meditation, which focuses your attention and decreases your reactivity to stressful stimuli.” He adds that active and daily exercise is an essential part of this mindfulness. “Don’t let your treadmill become a coat rack” he told Sports Illustrated.