Ninety-One-Year-Old Businesswoman Reveals Simple Formula for Healthy Longevity

Posted May 9th, 2009 By: Rod Newbound

Does Faith Play a Positive Role in Longevity?

Recently I interviewed a lady in her home in the Pacific Northwest. For reasons of confidentiality, I’ll call her Elizabeth.

The first thing that I noticed about Elizabeth is she is warm and engaging. Before I even got to the dining room table, she offered me a cup of coffee.

Born in 1918 of pure Norwegian ancestry, her formula for longevity is interesting more for what she doesn’t do than what she does.

She doesn’t take a handful of the latest anti-aging dietary supplements or eat organic food. She’s not a vegetarian or any other kind of food purist. She doesn’t engage in yoga, tai chi, aerobics or any other formal exercise program. Yet, she doesn’t have any significant health problems. In fact, when I looked over her medications, I saw three, which she probably doesn’t need at all.

Of course, she could just have good genes (and probably does).

I asked Elizabeth if she would tell me her secret for longevity. She smiled and said, “Well, I have several…”

Faith

“I trust in God and don’t worry about anything. I thank the Lord for my blessings daily.”

Could something this simple contribute to longevity? Studies agree it does…

A 1999 interview survey followed 21,204 people over 8 years and showed an increase in life expectancy of 8 years for people who regularly attended some kind of religious service vs. those who never or rarely attended.

A study of 5286 Californians over 28 years found that, after controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, and education; frequent religious attendees were 36% less likely to have died in any year.

Several other studies have also shown a positive relationship between faith and longevity.

Even doctors agree (99% of general practitioners in one survey): Personal prayer or other forms of religious practice can improve the outcomes of medical treatment.

Eat a Well Balanced Diet

“I eat good food.”

Elizabeth has owned and operated three restaurants and still loves to cook and entertain guests. Naturally, she became quite adept at choosing quality food and creating balanced meals.

Avoid Tobacco & Alcohol

“I never had alcohol in my house, and I never smoked. If my guests want to smoke, they do it outdoors.”

Stay Involved With Family, Friends, and the Community

“Staying involved gives me a reason for living. If I didn’t contribute something to others, what would be the point of living?”

Elizabeth socializes with her family and church group (which comes to her house for weekly Bible study).

According to her daughter, she is also a tough opponent when it comes to playing dominoes.

Set Positive Goals

At age 89, Elizabeth located a piece of property with a fabulous view. “I decided this is where I want to live the rest of my life.”

She designed her house to create a continuing passive income. The house is created on three levels and has an attached apartment. It also has three upstairs bedroom suites. She rents the apartment to one of her 3 daughters and the bedroom suites to boarders.

Photo credit: Don Cann

Posted in Lifestyle | 2 Comments »

The Great Swine Flu Scare

Posted May 2nd, 2009 By: Rod Newbound

Should you fear pigs?

Should You Be Worried
About Swine Flu?

In a word… No!

Still not convinced? Let me add some perspective…

According to the CDC (US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention), there have been 13,000 deaths in the US from common flu since January. And they estimate annual US deaths from common flu to be 36,000. If you’ve been paying any attention at all, you know (to date) there has been only one US death from swine flu (and that was an immigrant from Mexico).

Even most of the cases of swine flu showing up in the US are from people who were recently in Mexico. Why anyone would choose to visit a country that people are risking their lives to flee is beyond me, but that’s another story.

Although this particular respiratory virus (H1N1) appears to be spreading among humans and is of some concern as a result, the cases are generally showing up in young people. One theory why this is happening is older adults have come in contact with this particular virus sometime in their lives and developed an immunity to it.

As with any virus, the best way to protect yourself is to avoid contact with sick people, wash your hands frequently, and keep your immune system healthy. There is also strong evidence that keeping your vitamin D levels normal provides for a natural resistance to flu viruses (as well as several other diseases). Your doctor can check your level with a simple blood test.

Should You Take Tamiflu?

Multiple studies in Europe (published in the prestigious medical journal Lancet on Jan. 19, 2006) indicate Tamiflu is ineffective with a number of flu viruses including avian flu. In some cases people have even died as a result of taking it.

During the avian flu pandemic, governments built up massive stockpiles of Tamiflu that were never needed. On April 23, 2009 the World Health Organization said the total number of confirmed deaths worldwide due to avian flu since 2003 was only 257.

Since there are 36,000 deaths every year in the United States from common flu, one has to wonder why governments are going out of their way to create massive fear about a new possible pandemic.

Why is the CDC now recommending people take Tamiflu for this current swine flu, when there have been no studies to even indicate it would be effective?

Wonder how many government officials are getting rich by buying options on stocks of the makers of Tamiflu (Roche and Gilead Sciences)?

I’m much more worried about our government rapidly moving forward on socialized medicine in the US. We already have a clear picture of what government control in health care does in both the Medicare and Medicaid systems. Both are massively bloated with bureaucracy and are clearly not sustainable by anyone’s definition. In fact, they are both going broke. Of course, by hiding this under an umbrella of total socialized (government run) medicine, the problem can be buried for years.

But that won’t make the inherent problem go away! Government run health care doesn’t work, is always more expensive, and is a sham.

Photo credit: Xirzon

Posted in Medical | No Comments »