Stacy Andersen, a behavioral neuroscientist and co-director of the New England Centenarian Study, emphasizes the role of genetics and healthy habits in longevity. While genetics account for 70% of extreme aging, daily practices like consuming a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables are essential for a long healthspan. Andersen advocates for adopting behaviors observed in centenarians to enhance overall health, making the case that quality of life in later years is far more impactful than merely extending lifespan.
We're not trying to get everyone to live to 100. We're trying to get everyone to live like a centenarian. So really, to have that extended healthspan.
Living to an extreme age, like 105 and over, is likely about 70% down to a person's genetics, but healthy habits appear to be the most important factor for living to our late 80s and early 90s.
There's no one recipe for longevity, but following the good, healthy behaviors that we know about and that are well tested is the best approach to healthy aging.
Andersen tries to eat five different colors of fruits and vegetables every day to ensure she gets a range of nutrients.
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