Will We Live to be 100? - Dr. Frank J. Ungerland III, DC

Well, we are winding up another decade. We are another year older and as a
nation we are living longer. There are estimated over 70,000 people in the U.S.
that are now 100 hundred years old or older. Centenarians are growing in
numbers every year. It is estimated that by the year 2050 there will be 800,000
Americans over the age of one hundred. Demographers are now counting the
number of supercentenarians, people age 110 and over.
It’s a fact we are living longer as a nation. Some research suggests that 60% of
those over one hundred years old will need “assisted living”. Forty percent will
not! What can we do to hedge the bet to a healthier future? Don’t smoke or drink
heavily and maintain favorable weight. Reducing caloric intake 10-20 percent is
beneficial. What we eat is used or stored as energy in the future as fat. This leads
to cardiovascular illnesses. Substitute for meat, portions of fish rich in omega
three fatty acids and vegetables in unsaturated fats, eliminate the fried foods. Eat
many fruits and vegetables. Get regular exercise. Climb stairs or lift small
weights to reduce age related muscle mass. Challenge your mind daily, do
crossword puzzles and read daily. Have a positive outlook to reduce mental and
emotional stress. Maintain social interaction with family and friends and join a
group of people with similar interests. Stay active after retirement. Get involved
in something that you will love doing. Stay in the game of life as a player and not
a spectator. Have a plan for the future. No plan is a plan to fail. Life is a
“present”, a gift. What we do with that gift is our “present” back to God. We can
make a difference in our future.