On Living to 105...

[wildbears]

Strongest Predictor of Longevity

The strongest predictor of longevity is physical activity, followed by factors like balance, mobility, self-assessed health, and even having close relationships. While genetics play a role, daily movement patterns appear to be the most powerful indicator of longevity.

Longevity tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component to lifespan. While the exact genetic mechanisms are still being investigated, studies indicate that a portion of the variation in human lifespan can be attributed to genes. This means that if your family members have lived long lives, you may have a higher chance of living longer as well.

Note that VO2 max is one of the strongest predictors of longevity. Long or short lived parents result in plus or minus only 2 years, on average. So even with good genes, it pays to stay active.

Quotes from Google AI.

[Pete_Tallahassee]

Picking your parents well is also a major factor.

[955i]

Pete is "on it!" Probably the single biggest fator. But, even the benefits of genetics are heightened by the things you mention, bears.

[802Mike]

I heard that people that have dogs live longer.

[wildbears]

Riding a motorcycle Is a form of exercise, burning calories and engaging various muscle groups. The level of exercise depends on the type of riding and the intensity of the ride.
Here's how riding a motorcycle can be considered exercise:

Calorie Burn:
Riding can burn calories, with estimates ranging from 100 to 300 per hour, depending on riding conditions, bike type, and gear worn, says Saint USA.
Muscle Engagement:
Motorcycle riding engages various muscle groups, including arms, legs, back, and core, says Road Guardians.
Increased Heart Rate:
Riding can increase heart rate and blood circulation, potentially improving cardiovascular health.
Enhanced Strength:
Riding can help improve core strength, lower body strength, and overall physical endurance.
Mental Benefits:
Motorcycle riding can also have mental benefits, helping to reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
Different types of riding offer different levels of exercise:
Cruising: Riding on the highway might not be as intense as other types of riding, but it can still burn some calories.
Off-Road/Motocross: These types of riding require more physical effort and burn more calories, according to Saint USA.
Track Riding/Racing: These activities are considered more intense forms of exercise.

From Google AI

[wildbears]

The number one mental health benefit of riding a motorcycle – a positive outlook on the world.

The second mental benefit of riding a motorcycle – improve cognitive function! Riding a motorbike every day can make you smarter and prevent the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, says Dr Ryuta Kawashima, author of the Nintendo game “Dr Kawashima's Brain Training”.

https://smartmotorcyclingguide.com/2...ining%E2%80%9D.

[802Mike]

Well, I don't know about it making you smarter....

[wildbears]

A daily vitamin D supplement could be the secret to beating aging.

A fascinating first-of-its-kind study found people taking the 10-cent capsule appeared to age at much slower rates.

Over the four-year study, participants who took vitamin D3 had less damage to their DNA — a sign of slower aging.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...ses-aging.html

[wildbears]

Almost all milk in the USA is vitamin D fortified. This recent Harvard study may explain the previously reported increased longevity in people who drink skim milk.

[wildbears]

How often should you get a blood test for a PSA level?

It is possible for a PSA level to rise from 1 to above 5 or higher in a year and this can be a cause for concern, indicating a possible high grade prostate cancer.

Current recommendations vary from not checking at all if over 70 to testing annually.

Limiting health care costs is part of the rationale for testing less.

Note: 100% of men will have developed prostate cancer by age 100. Usually the older the patient, the less aggressive the cancer, notwithstanding current events.

[Doctor350]

I was going to try and be funny and say anally, but anually is probably more accurate

[955i]

I'm 74 and doing it yearly. The PSA level has been reasonably flat for many years, but it's something I do to put my mind at ease, even though it is far from fool-proof. Man, I had prostitus 25 years ago and I didn't really care if I lived or died. Whew, that was brutal.

[802Mike]

They don’t test unless there a family history.

[wildbears]

Exercise more effective than Drugs...for Cancer

Exercise more effective than drugs in lowering cancer deaths by 37% and recurrence by 28%, new international trial shows.

2

https://www.livemint.com/science/new...921837281.html

[955i]

I worked out AND played some indoor soccer today. I'm good for the rest of the week, if this study is accurate! LOL

[wildbears]

Nature vs Nurture

Genetics determine life and health span potentials. How much you realize of those depends on lifestyle.

[955i]

Hey, I ran 5 miles on Sunday with a target BPM of 115. Accomplished with the only breakthroughs going up a couple of steeper hills and didging some stupid traffic on a narrow road. First time i have ever REALLY tried to stay in Zone 1.5 or so. Interesting exercise. I was surprised how easy it was to fall into a quicker pace without paying attention. When that happened, the heart rate would climb and I'd have to immediately back down. I am required to just run at my "Choctaw dog-trot" or slower. I was not "nackered" at the end. Later in the day I felt prperly tired, but not trashed or sore. I might include such a run in my weekly regimine.

[802Mike]

Interesting, my BPM will get in the 150s during workouts.

[955i]

Mike, I CAN get my BPM to the high 150's, but I try to keep a lid on it at 145. If it climbs above that, I ease up until it is below 145 again. My normal resting BPM when I awake is in the 45-49 range. Throughout the day, it's usually 65-80 depending on activities. This week I am exhausted from a two-week trip to Switzerland where I was on the go all the time. It's Oklahoma and humid. Mowing and weed-eating today I was running along at 100-110 for long periods.

I find this all very interesting. I wish I had a known baseline established from years ago. But, the Garmin watch wasn't invented yet!

[wildbears]

BMI correlation with health deeply flawed.

A new study from the University of Florida found that BMI — a measurement that is commonly used to determine whether a person’s weight is in a healthy range for their height — is "deeply flawed" in terms of predicting mortality. Instead, one’s level of body fat is "far more accurate," concluded the study, which was published this week in the Annals of Family Medicine.

https://ufhealth.org/news/2025/uf-he...eeply%20flawed.

To measure participants’ body fat, the researchers used a method called bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which uses a device to measure the resistance of body tissue to a small electrical current. Over a 15-year period, those who had high body fat were found to be 78% more likely to die than those who had healthy body fat levels, researchers found.
BMI — which is calculated by dividing weight by height, squared — was described as "entirely unreliable" in predicting the risk of death over a 15-year period from any cause.
Over a 15-year period, those who had high body fat were found to be 78% more likely to die than those who had healthy body fat levels, researchers found.
"One of the routine measures we take alongside traditional vital signs is BMI. We use BMI to screen for a person having an issue with their body composition, but it’s not as accurate for everyone as vital signs are," he added.
BMI has been the international standard for measuring obesity since the 1980s, according to many sources, though some experts have questioned its validity.
While BMI is easy to calculate, one of its main limitations is that it cannot distinguish between muscle and fat mass, the researchers noted.
"These findings don't challenge the assumptions about BMI — they strengthen the message that new standards, delivered in a consistent and low-cost way, would provide better nuance for the individual when it comes to their overall physical health."
The researchers are hopeful that once standards are validated, measuring body fat percentage with bioelectrical impedance analysis could become standard of care.

[955i]

A terrific low-cost instrument for evaluation of body fat is simply a full length mirror. Our home doesn't have one. I bought some clothes recently and there was one in the changing room. WHOA! That was a motivating image. Yuck.

[wildbears]

Calf to waist ratio takes into account muscle mass versus fat....

Several studies have found evidence that suggests a person's calf size relative to the rest of their body is a predictor of various health markers, including cardiovascular risk factors, nutritional status, and even mortality.
It takes into account both obesity (excess abdominal fat) and muscle mass, making it potentially a better indicator of overall health risks than BMI or waist circumference alone.
To calculate your own waist-to-calf ratio (WCR), divide your waist circumference by your calf circumference.
Both measurements should be taken in the same units (e.g., centimeters or inches).
Experts say a healthy WCR is generally around 2.4 or less, in whichever unit you are measuring in.
A WCR within this range suggests a healthy balance between middle and lower body fat distribution.
Ratios above 2.4 are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and circulatory diseases, while those below this range are considered healthy.

[wildbears]

[955i]

Amen! (I wrote a longer response earlier, but it vanished.)

[955i]

Bears, I just looked at my post form 6-18-2025 above. I was pretty well into the beginning of a course of low heart rate exercise by then. I hadn't noticed much effect, either good nor bad. However, I've stayed the course and have disciplined myself to run at 110 with a "soft ceiling" of 115. Up a couple of gradual "hills" on this .8 mile course it might go to 120 very briefly if I don't pay attention. Once a week, I do intervals or fartleks at a pretty hard pace with the pipe-dream that someday I might get faster.

The results are still pending. I have in the past month noticed that my pace is speeding up marginally while keeping the same heart rate parameters. It might be just that the hot humid weather has passed, or perhaps it is showing real improvement.

By the way, most of this is done running (jogging). My BPM on the bike is consistently much lower than for the same perceived effort running. Apparently this observation is nearly universal among those folks who both run and bike. While I watch my BPM on the bike, I can't seem to work it into a program. I just notice that it's difficult to get my BPM up to 130 or 135. I do that routinely running intervals and can see 155-160 at peak efforts.