Longevity strategies
What's the US Lifespan Today?
Apparently in 2018 the predicted average lifespan in America decreased for the first time. In many years thought to be related to an upswing in opioid death from young people which dramatically shortens the average and escalating suicide in young people. Average lifespan in America 2018 is 78.7 years and 1.5 years lower than in EU countries. This story is a tragedy, but some other issues are below the surface.
When one looks at the homicide rate, experts report that if it weren't for modern emergency care, the actual correct homicide rate would be four times greater than compared to the medical care available in the 60s and 70s. Additionally, when one looks at Healthspan versus Lifespan which is the difference between living vigorously and independently versus just being alive, these two averages have significantly increased in the last 3 to 4 decades. Some estimate 8 to 10 years of the time when one becomes fairly disabled but still live an average of 8 to 10 more years. In the old days these two dates where a few months apart as people were sick for a short time before they died. The long gap between loss of independence and death drive the demand for higher costs at the end of life.
What Disease Could I Die From Today?
What do we die from today? In developed countries like the US, most people die of:
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Cardiovascular/blood vessel dysfunction
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Proliferative dysfunction like cancer which is a close second
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Neurodegenerative disease like dementia, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS, and others.
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However sometimes forgotten, but not insignificant and reasonably preventable for people over the age of 60 is a “fall” that leads to a musculoskeletal injury, and then people die from complications in the recovery process (Did I say do balance exercises!).
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What's the US Lifespan Today?
Apparently in 2018 the predicted average lifespan in America decreased for the first time. In many years thought to be related to an upswing in opioid death from young people which dramatically shortens the average and escalating suicide in young people.
Average lifespan in America 2018 is 78.7 years and 1.5 years lower than in EU countries. This story is a tragedy, but some other issues are below the surface.
When one looks at the homicide rate, experts report that if it weren't for modern emergency care, the actual correct homicide rate would be four times greater than compared to the medical care available in the 60s and 70s. Additionally, when one looks at Healthspan versus Lifespan which is the difference between living vigorously and independently versus just being alive, these two averages have significantly increased in the last 3 to 4 decades. Some estimate 8 to 10 years of the time when one becomes fairly disabled but still live an average of 8 to 10 more years. In the old days these two dates where a few months apart as people were sick for a short time before they died. The long gap between loss of independence and death drive the demand for higher costs at the end of life.
What Disease Could I Die From Today?
What do we die from today? In developed countries like the US, most people die of:
​
-
Cardiovascular/blood vessel dysfunction
-
Proliferative dysfunction like cancer which is a close second
-
Neurodegenerative disease like dementia, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS, and others.
-
However sometimes forgotten, but not insignificant and reasonably preventable for people over the age of 60 is a “fall” that leads to a musculoskeletal injury, and then people die from complications in the recovery process (Did I say do balance exercises!).
​
Ironically, if one could completely eradicate all cancer in the United States, it would only add 2 to 3 years to the average lifespan because these diseases don't happen in a vacuum. Many of those that have cancer also have the other co- morbidities stemming from the same lifestyle risk factors. This concept brings up what we spoke of earlier about the metabolic theory of cancer; namely that failure of the energy systems or mitochondria lead to loss of regulation and genetic transcription failure. Metabolic theory proponents in oncology also report that mitochondrial failure it is also the root cause in neurodegenerative diseases where are those specific nerve site organs show their failure first. The metabolic theory also is employed to explain cardiovascular disease processes where chronic insulin resistant leads to inflammation cascades and a pro-clotting environment.
So, in the end, it all comes down to maintaining a healthy energy system or happy mitochondria. They function best when they burn ketones from fat, and we keep our insulin levels low through periods of fasting and low carbohydrate intake. Enough said about death, "Momento Mori," the good news is yet to come.
MEAKINs Best hacks
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are you over 50?
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