Life Longevity; Research Study
How does it feel if you get to know about your life limit, that you are unlikely to live beyond your 20s? How would you finish your school and college? Would you ever fall in love? How would your loved one’s
respond? Would you save or invest for your future? Americans have a much shorter life expectancy compared to almost all other high-income countries, according to the CDC’s National Centre for
Health Statistics. Molly Pam was born in 1988, the above questions were the reality for people with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that can lead to early death from lung failure. But Ms Pam is now 34, and thanks to a new drug that has revolutionized the treatment of this disease, she will likely live to celebrate her 40th and even 50th birthdays. Her life expectancy has changed drastically within her lifetime.
Ms Pam was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 9 years. The reality of her limited lung function surfaced. Ms Pam started a new drug therapy that targets the cardinal reason for her disease. And now, three years later, she is healthier than she had been in her younger years. Her lung function has doubled. Possibility expands once again. In 2019, the drug therapy, Trikafta, has been heralded as a game changer for a majority of cases with cystic fibrosis. The disease is caused by defects in a protein that affects the body’s cells and tissues, leading to mucus formation that accumulates in the lungs and other organs. Trikafta, a combination of three drugs, helps the malfunctioning protein function more effectively. Without the thick mucus and infections and scarring that come with it, patients can ideally avoid the inevitable respiratory decline that characterizes life with C.F. Some people have genetic mutations that do not allow them to benefit from Trikafta, which targets the most common fibrosis mutation. Still, many newborns with this disease today can expect to live into their 60s — a prognosis that will most likely continue to improve during their lifetimes. They will grow up with an entirely different perspective, with a disease that for many will be chronic and manageable. But for those who are Ms Pam’s age or older, many of whom have made decisions about career and family based on the expectation of a shortened life span, this startling scientific advance has left them facing existential questions. Several studies suggest that maintaining these five habits could add up to 10 years or more to a person’s life:
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
When you’re catching up with work, family and social commitments. It may be easier and more tempting, to grab a quick bite at a fast-food chain on your lunch break or order takeout during late nights at work. A good diet, according to the researchers, contains whole foods and grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts and any natural source of protein (i.e., fish and beans) and less processed food. If you’re serious about changing your eating habits, consult with a nutritionist. - Exercise daily
It’s absolutely essential to develop a habit of exercising daily and take out time for it. A study from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) found that just small amounts of daily exercise can improve life expectancy by as much as 4.5 years. The main idea is to avoid inactivity even at work. A few solutions: Get a standing desk, take walking meetings or dedicate 30 minutes of gym time before or after your work. - Maintain a healthy weight
According to a study, “weight control can significantly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors and breast cancer.” A “healthy” weight varies from person to person, however, a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered to be healthy. It’s necessary to
weigh often and start viewing the weighing scale as a tool to stay within the healthy range. - Limit your alcohol intake
It’s hard to escape alcohol that shows up at happy hour, conferences, social meetings, outings and much more. To get through long days, some may even rely on alcohol as a reviver in social settings. But there are many downsides. For starters, it can add weight and increase the risk of several cancers. But avoiding alcohol altogether puts you in good health and company; Warren Buffett, an 88-year-old billionaire, is a well-known teetotaller. - Quit smoking
We all are aware of the health risks of smoking that have become increasingly apparent, there’s been more effort in warning people about the dangerous side effects. That doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to kick off the habit, but your body will thank you in the long run.
