Super Aging -

I recently came across the term "super aging" and while the term is fairly new the concept isn't. Super ager refers to someone 80+ who has an exceptional memory - one at least as good as the memory of people 20 to 30 years younger. So of course I wanted to know more!

In the next decade approximately 73 million boomers will hit their 80's. Modern medical advances have made it possible to live longer physically, but we haven't quite solved the question of how to have brain health match our total longevity. That's where researchers from the University of California are focusing their attention. Their most recent study involves 1600 90+ individuals who are considered super agers. They are studying their brain health and lifestyles in the hopes of solving the mystery.

It is said that our memory peaks between the ages of 30 and 40 while brain atrophy starts around 50 years old. Areas of complex thought and learning are the first to go. This may explain why remembering a name, multi-tasking or processing speed when learning something new become more challenging.

So what do super agers have that the average 80+ year old doesn't? There seem to be three influencing factors:

• Higher cognitive reserve - the ability to overcome the natural aging process. Super agers have lower rates of inflammation and clogged blood vessels thus allowing improved blood flow resulting in more efficient and productive brain activity. We know genetics can play a part in brain longevity for sure, but scientists are now finding that lifestyle choices and environmental factors may be able to overcome some genetically predisposed conditions.

• Achievement -those with higher levels of education (this does not necessarily mean formal education) and greater career development tend to have greater cognitive reserve. The act of lifelong learning inherently requires brain stimulation which translates into brain health and longevity over the course of a lifetime.

• Lifestyle - how we live plays an important role and our total longevity. From the activities we chose to the people we surround ourselves with it can extend or shorten our cognitive lifespan.
  

So what can you do now to increase your chances of becoming a super ager?

• Become or continue to be physically and intellectually active - 1. Read regularly (if your eyesight doesn't allow for reading, listen to an audiobook or podcast) 2. WALK - I can't say this one enough. Walking is one of the most beneficial exercises for seniors. It increases blood flow throughout the body and brain. It improves strength and balance. And, if you do it with a friend it's engaging and social. One of the most important things to maintain as seniors age is human connection. We will discuss this in future posts.
  

• Challenge yourself to learn something new - 1. Learn a language or to play an instrument 2. Cooking a new meal or the first time where you have to research ingredients and techniques 3. Learn to garden and grow your own vegetables (definitely will increase longevity) 4. Start a club centered around something you already enjoy and teach others ( learning comes in many forms and teaching is a great way to learn)
  

• Stay social - 1. Maintain your network or expand your current one 2. Continue to participate in community activities to the best of your ability 3. Provide support to others when they need it 4. Say yes to lunch or an afternoon visit (even If you aren't feeling 100%) Although we cannot control our genetics or change the decisions from our earlier less informed years, we can certainly strive to make intelligent choices going forward. To give our brains and our bodies the best chance to be SUPER agers.