What Does it Take to Live to be 100?

First of all, it’s not just living to the age of 100 – it’s feeling good when you get there. 

The bad news is – we are only issued one body.  The good news is – the warranty should last for 100 years if we are diligent about the maintenance.  We live in an age of replacement parts being available, however replaced parts will not last long if we give them the same lack of care we gave the original parts. 

So, what do we need to do to keep this one body running well for 100 years?  It is almost as simple as caring for our car. For instance, would we put water in the gas tank of our car and expect it to run well?  What about never changing the oil? Would we let it sit in the garage for a year and then expect it to run well? 

So, let’s look at what it takes in the way of maintenance to keep our body running well for 100 years. 

1. Proper fuel – From conception on, the human body requires vitamins, minerals, protein and water to do what it was designed to do.  That is, make healthy new cells, which produce healthy organs and body systems.  That is a gross oversimplification because the more scientists know about how the body functions, the more they realize how complicated it is. 

Where do we get the proper fuel?  Obviously, from the best food available.  Food that was grown on soil rich in nutrients and free of chemical pesticides.  More and more consumers are seeking out organic foods and, therefore, more sources are becoming available. 

However, because of our fast-paced lives, eating organic is not always possible.  That is why the majority of people take food supplements (vitamins) to insure getting ample amounts of the necessary nutrients. 

There are a lot of vitamins on the market because of people’s growing awareness that they are not getting enough nutrition from their food.  The key is to choose vitamins that are safe, effective and backed by clinical research.  Check www.shaklee.net/pepuup for products that meet these criteria. 

Everything that we consume, must be processed by the liver before it enters the blood stream for circulation throughout the body.  Therefore, it is extremely important that the liver remain healthy.  Another reason for eating organic and  taking vitamins that are free of any chemical residue. 

1. Exercise – Have you noticed that children move all the time?  Movement keeps our skeletal system and circulatory system in good shape.  Eating the right foods without exercising is like leaving the house in your underwear.  Would you go out in public half dressed?  So – join a gym, get a personal trainer, or just get out and walk briskly for ½ hour each day.
2. Positive mental attitude – More and more research is showing that our thoughts can have a positive or negative effect on our health.  I am sure you have read articles on people with serious health issues who have used prayer and meditation as part of their healing process. 
3. Keeping the mind active – Have you ever watched the Today show when Willard Scott talks about the people who are celebrating their 100th birthday?  They are all still very active and some are still part of the workforce. 
4. Occasional detoxification – Detox is like changing the oil in our car.  It gets rid of the sludge and toxins that clog our blood stream and organs.  Detox can be as simple as eating only organic vegetables for a week, cooked or raw.
5. Alcohol and cigarette consumption - needless to say, these do not qualify as food and, therefore, fall into the toxin category.

In summary, the best way to live to 100, feeling well, is to treat the body with respect and remember the old saying, “garbage in – garbage out.”