Superagers Thrive Through Modifiable Lifestyle Choices, Not Genetics
TL;DR
- "Superagers" are individuals over 85 with no chronic diseases, representing less than 1% of their age group, indicating that thriving in old age is achievable through lifestyle rather than solely genetics.
- Maintaining a "sunny disposition" and strong social connections is crucial for healthy aging, as human interaction is vital and combats the isolation common in older adults.
- Physical activity, including strength training and regular exercise, is a key behavioral trait of superagers, directly contributing to improved physical and mental well-being as they age.
- Purpose-driven activities, such as volunteering or community involvement, are common among superagers, suggesting that having meaningful goals is a mutable and impactful factor in longevity.
- Intellectual engagement, exemplified by lifelong learning and participation in activities like volunteering at a library, complements physical activity in supporting cognitive health and overall thriving.
- The research suggests that lifestyle choices and behavioral traits, rather than genetic predispositions, are the primary drivers of healthy aging, offering hope and agency to individuals.
Deep Dive
The core argument is that thriving into one's 80s and 90s, termed being a "super ager," is largely achievable through behavioral choices rather than purely genetic predisposition. This insight offers a hopeful perspective on aging, suggesting that individuals can actively cultivate habits that promote health and well-being in later life.
The research presented indicates that "super agers" share common traits that are modifiable, thereby offering a pathway for others to emulate their success. A key finding is that genetics play a surprisingly small role; instead, a "sunny disposition," optimism, and consistent physical activity are strongly correlated with healthy aging. This suggests that adopting a positive outlook and maintaining an active lifestyle can significantly impact longevity and quality of life. Furthermore, social engagement is critical. Humans are inherently social beings, and actively combating isolation by seeking out interactions with others provides substantial benefits, echoing the example of Ednajane "E.J." Truax, who remains deeply involved in her community and social life. These individuals often have a strong sense of purpose, found through activities like volunteering or community service, which provides a continuous motivation to remain engaged and active. The implication is that aging is not a passive decline but an opportunity for continued growth and contribution, driven by deliberate choices about one's physical, mental, and social environment.
Ultimately, the takeaway is that emulating the habits of "super agers"--prioritizing physical activity, maintaining a positive and optimistic outlook, fostering social connections, and cultivating a sense of purpose--provides a tangible and accessible strategy for individuals to improve their own health and thrive as they age.
Action Items
- Implement social interaction plan: Schedule 3-5 weekly activities (e.g., volunteer, join clubs) to foster community and combat isolation.
- Establish physical activity routine: Commit to 4-5 gym sessions weekly, incorporating trainer sessions twice weekly, to maintain physical health.
- Cultivate optimistic mindset: Practice daily gratitude and positive reframing techniques to enhance mental well-being and resilience.
- Pursue lifelong learning: Engage with 1-2 new intellectual pursuits or hobbies monthly to maintain cognitive function and curiosity.
Key Quotes
"She drives a green mini cooper she has a beautiful garden full of flowers you can often see her outside working in her yard sometimes she's wearing this t shirt that says you don't stop lifting when you get old you get old when you stop lifting i can bench press 55 pounds and i can leg press 250."
This quote introduces Ednajane Truax, or E.J., a 90-year-old "super ager." The description highlights her physical activity and strength, directly linking it to her personal philosophy about aging, as stated on her t-shirt. Maggie Penman, the reporter, uses these details to establish E.J. as an example of someone who thrives in old age.
"what is it that lets her keep thriving at 90 years old how is it that she has so many friends she's so involved in the community she always remembers my dog's name and my daughter's name like who is this woman so i asked ej if she would sit down for an interview to reveal some of her secrets about the ingredients for a good life especially as we get older"
Penman expresses her fascination with E.J.'s vitality and social engagement at 90. This quote reveals the reporter's motivation for the interview: to understand the factors contributing to E.J.'s successful aging. Penman frames E.J. not as an anomaly but as someone whose "secrets" could offer broader insights into living a good life.
"I worked at georgetown and we had there were three of us on the floor that went by signatures dj bj and ej and we were all on at the same time it drove us and everyone crazy before ej retired she was a nurse I was all over the place I was in san francisco chicago philadelphia kentucky my mother used to say she was running to get my address book just for me I liked to go around but when I moved here I moved to stay I was tired of moving around and so and I've never been sorry"
E.J. shares her personal history, detailing her career as a nurse and her nomadic early life. This quote shows E.J.'s perspective on her past, indicating a desire for stability after extensive travel. Her statement about moving to stay and never regretting it suggests a deliberate choice to build a lasting community.
"I can quote my brother who said you think diet and exercise will cure anything well I do I go to the gym four or five times a week I have a trainer twice a week I like to exercise I no matter what I feel like I come out of the gym feeling better and I like being there with all the people I go places where there are a lot of people"
E.J. emphasizes the importance of consistent exercise and social interaction in her routine. She states that regardless of how she feels initially, exercise leaves her feeling better. E.J. also highlights the benefit of being in environments with many people, suggesting that social engagement is as crucial as physical activity for her well-being.
"they had a very sunny disposition they're optimistic people they were physically active they tended to be educated more but i think that's actually probably very hopeful information to a lot of people because i think what can be discouraging sometimes is thinking like oh no like whatever my genes are i'm stuck with it and there's no getting out of it for me i have terrible family history it was liberating you know maybe i won't follow in my parents' and my aunt and uncles' footsteps"
Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist and scientist, discusses common traits found in "superagers." He identifies optimism and physical activity as key factors, noting that genetic predispositions played a lesser role than expected. Dr. Topol presents this as hopeful news, suggesting that lifestyle choices and disposition are more influential than genetics in aging well.
"The social isolation or social interactions i mean really important we've seen such remarkable data as people get older they tend to live in a cave and humans are social animals and we get a lot out of that interaction so that's another thing that people should be working on is you know not uh being so isolated and lonely but rather striving for you know interactions with other people"
Dr. Topol explains the critical role of social interaction in healthy aging. He contrasts the tendency for older adults to become isolated with the fundamental human need for social connection. Dr. Topol advocates for actively seeking interactions to combat loneliness and improve well-being.
Resources
External Resources
Books
- "The Super Age" by Dr. Eric Topol - Mentioned as the source of research on individuals who age exceptionally well into their 80s and 90s.
Articles & Papers
- "How to be a ‘super ager’" (The Optimist) - Mentioned as the initial report that inspired the episode's discussion on aging well.
People
- Maggie Penman - Reporter for The Optimist, featured in the episode for her reporting on "superagers."
- Dr. Eric Topol - Cardiologist and scientist, author of "The Super Age," interviewed for his research on thriving in old age.
Organizations & Institutions
- The Optimist - Publication where Maggie Penman's article on "superagers" was featured.
- Georgetown - Former workplace of EJ where she worked as a nurse.
- Folger Shakespeare Library - Organization where EJ volunteered for 20 years after retiring.
Websites & Online Resources
- washingtonpost.com/subscribe - URL provided for Washington Post subscription offers.
- podcasts@washpost.com - Email address for listeners to contact The Optimist team.
Other Resources
- Superager - Concept referring to individuals who age exceptionally well, maintaining health and vitality into their 80s and 90s.
- Sunny disposition - A characteristic identified in research as contributing to healthy aging, characterized by optimism and a positive outlook.