In 1950, Sally Froelich began working at Macy’s Department Store in New York City and later at Bloomingdale’s, where she interviewed customers during morning breakfast. She also created a series called “The Vital Years,” discussing the aging process with experts. The show was a fun and entertaining experience for her.
Froelich, a 60-year-old woman, recalls a series about people her age today, including second marriages, exercise, and grandchildren. She is one of 600 participants in the SuperAgers Family Study, aiming to recruit 10,000 SuperAgers, defined as people 95 and older in good physical and mental health, as part of the American Federation for Aging Research.
A study involving adult children of SuperAgers and their spouses is being conducted to understand the biology contributing to long and healthy lives. The study aims to compare the frequency of genes in these individuals, as they are equally important. The ultimate goal is to identify genes that may contribute to disease-free living as people age, as per Sofiya Milman, MD, MS, a national expert on aging.
Scientists aim to develop medications and drugs that mimic the role of genes in SuperAgers, enabling those who don’t inherit those genes to live longer, healthier lives. Older research suggests genes regulating HDL cholesterol and controlling growth hormones are likely contributors to longevity.
The study by Milman reveals that genes play a more significant role than lifestyle in SuperAgers, as they have similar lifestyles to those from their generation who did not become SuperAgers. Despite no differences in smoking, tobacco, alcohol use, diet, or exercise, a small group achieved SuperAger status, while another group did not.
Despite your genetic makeup, lifestyle still affects longevity.
Even though Americans are living longer than they did in the past, just 0.1% of them survive to be 95 years of age or more because of genetics. For the 99.9%, lifestyle habits can help stave off age-related diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Although a healthy lifestyle can delay the onset of these diseases, it’s unclear whether it will lead to age 95 or 100.
Rosanne Leipzig, MD, PhD, a geriatrician at Mount Sinai, suggests that 20-40% of longevity is due to genes, while 60-80% is determined by one’s life circumstances. Lucky circumstances, such as education, prenatal environment, childhood nutrition, access to medical care, and living in a polluted area, also contribute to longevity. However, individuals have limited control over these factors, which can significantly impact their health and longevity.
The idea of “weathering trusted sources” implies that socioeconomic hardship may cause African American women’s health to suffer in their early adult years. However, healthy lifestyle choices can significantly improve health, and individuals have a lot of control over their choices, potentially preventing premature death.
A SuperAger’s advice on how to live a longer, healthier existence
Numerous lifestyle choices that have been promoted for years can contribute to your overall health in addition to heredity. Froelich engages in the following activities:
- A woman named Froelich, who has been living in her 90s, advises her family to maintain a healthy lifestyle. She advises eating a balanced diet, not smoking or drinking excessively, as smoking increases the risk of premature death from heart disease or stroke. She also mentions that maintaining a healthy weight is crucial.
- Froelich has been active in sports for most of her life, playing golf two to three times a week. She also exercises regularly, engaging in daily stretches and performing 80 sit-ups in bed. She lifts 8-pound and 5-pound weights three days a week.
- Froelich uses her brain by playing bridge with friends and online, listening to audiobooks, and watching television. She also stays socially connected, going out to lunch and dinner weekly, seeing her children once a week, and visiting her grandchildren in person or via Zoom.
- Froelich finds joy in her 90s and enjoys eating ice cream and delicious chocolate. She also takes care of herself by keeping her hair and nails done and having someone check on her appearance.
- Froelich believes that a positive perception of aging can lead to a longer life expectancy and better health. She suggests that people with a positive perception of aging live about 7.5 more years and live better.
The bottom line
The SuperAgers Family Study aims to discover the secret to aging well, despite not being inherited by every individual. The organization believes that aging is not a given and that many people remain healthy and independent as they age. The study hopes to help people live longer, even if they are not part of the 0.1 percent of the population who inherit genes.
