Superagers appears to have cracked a code that will help younger people maintain brain health. Even if they are over 80 birthdays, they remain sharp. What should Supergers tell us about the rest of us?
The science in this field is still developing and experts say they don’t have a specific recipe to follow yet, but there are some clues. By definition, super agars are at least 80 years old and have the cognitive abilities of people around 30 years younger.
“I don’t think there has to be one path to super-erging,” says Emily Rogarsky, Chicago-based director of the Super-erging Research Initiative, which is registered with multiple states and Canada. “Some people may have had a lucky roll of dice with genes that have been passed on from their parents, while others may have made lifestyle choices that are more important to their trajectory.”
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Super Formation Rules: Start with the basics
Generally, standard rules apply: get enough sleep, exercise and a healthy diet. However, there are exceptions.
For example, experts recommend eating healthy foods like the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. But Rogalski says that while that’s true for many, some superagens love to eat burgers and fries.
Similarly, research has shown a strong relationship between cognitive and physical abilities, but Rogarsky states: “Anexually, some of our super collectors can tell us that they need wheelchairs and pedestrians, but their memories are untouched, while others are riding hundreds of miles a week on their bikes or doing high-intensity water aerobics.”
Social connection is important
Several factors have become apparently particularly important. Among them are connections with others, especially young people.
“I know that intergenerational interactions are really good,” says Lee Lindquist, director of the Geriatrics Department at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “One of my favourite patients said, ‘I try to talk to new people every day.’ …Making new friends all the time is a great way to get your brain active. ”
Lindquist adds: “If you’re active and you’re social, your brain is stronger, but if you’re not interacting with people, it’s just going to go to fudge.”
Stacey Andersen, who co-directs the study of 100 New Englanders at Boston University’s Chovanian & Avevedian School of Medicine, recommends avoiding quarantine by finding new social networks when other connections are lost.
Get excited about life
Lindquist also advocates for active learning. This is “not only is it reading a newspaper or a book, but you actually read something and then talk about it, whether it’s your spouse, a book group, or the people around you.
One idea Lindquist saw is the Walking Book Club where people talk about their books while walking.
“It seems to be a reason to maintain a purpose in life, to wake up in the morning and get excited every day, and a real consistent factor in longevity, but it’s also about avoiding Alzheimer’s.”
Andersen says she did a small pilot study. It is not clear whether work exercises the brain or if a healthy brain allows for work. “That’s another thing we’re considering. Why do people quit their jobs? We want to know how cognition changes after retirement. And likewise, why do people stop driving?”
Yakov Stern, a professor of neuropsychology at Columbia University School of Medicine, says exposure to certain chemicals and difficult life experiences can have a negative impact on later cognition.
However, Logalsky says many super agars have endured themselves through traumatic experiences, including surviving the Holocaust and losing children at a young age. Their resilience and adaptability are useful to them well after losing their ability to lean on their peers.
Are you a super agar? Take part in the survey or take a test
Screened to participate:
Supergu Initiative: https://haarc.center.uchicago.edu/join-our-research/
Email: superagingResearch@uchicago.edu
Phone: 773-795-1111
100 years of study: www.bumc.bu.edu/centenarian/radco/
Email: agewell@bu.edu
Phone: 1-888-333-6327
bonus:
This is the website that will help you plan your life: www.planyurlifespan.org/
A calculator to use scientific data to see if you can live to 100: https://www.livingto100.com
Note: This item was first featured in the Kiplinger Retirement Report, a popular monthly periodical that covers the important concerns of wealthy older Americans preparing to retire or retire. Subscribe to our money-friendly retirement advice.
