Most people don’t want to think about how long they are likely to live. It’s not always a pleasant thought. But it is well worth considering because it affects how you live your life.
A century ago, the average westerner could expect to live around 60 to 65 years. Life expectancies were lower because standards of living were lower, people had less security and medicine wasn’t as good.
During the 20th century, life expectancies rose by around 10 to 15 years. And even today, despite all our problems with obesity, life expectancies continue to rise. Projections by the World Health Organization predict that people born after 2000 will likely live to see their one-hundredth birthday on average – a staggering forecast when you consider that only around one in 10,000 reach that age today.
Technological Innovation
Why are life expectancies predicted to rise? Well, forecasters aren’t actually doing anything particularly sophisticated. They’re looking at how life expectancies have risen already and simply projecting linearly into the future. If life expectancies rose by around 15 years in the 20th century then, they predict, something similar will happen in the 21st.
However, this approach seems a little naive. Why would life expectancies continue to rise at the same rate? There is no scientific basis for this. In fact, most of the gains in life expectancy came from reducing mortality earlier in life, not adding more years to the end of it. Since very few people in advanced societies die before the age of 60, there is hardly any room for further improvement.
Coupled with this is the reality that diets are appalling compared to what they used to be. In the past, people ate mainly whole foods. But, today, that’s no longer the case. The primary ingredients in most diets are sugar, oil, and refined carbohydrates. These are not healthy ingredients.
However, at the same time, we’re witnessing a slew of new technologies that purport to extend life. The most basic of these is the recently recognized benefits of fasting. Going without food for a while seems to kick the body into repair mode, allowing it to become healthier at any age.
Life Extension
Then there are prescription medications, such as rapamycin and metformin which also appear to make people live longer. Metformin, a drug for diabetes, reduces all-cause mortality substantially. Lastly, there is a new range of supplements on the market. Some of these boost repairs enzymes in our cells while others allow our bodies to flush out damaged components which can cause aging in the long run.
Of course, as smart personal injury attorneys will tell you, injuries do still happen. So even if we succeed in living longer, there will always be a statistical risk to life. Nobody can guarantee immortality. However, the field is changing dramatically. Life expectancy projections are almost certainly wrong. Experts predict that the first person to live to see their 150th birthday has probably already been born. So, in summary, many of us will probably reach the age of 100, but how long we actually will live remains a tremendous mystery.
It is a good thing that we have a variety of health-based services to help people of all ages, and when people are about to reach retirement, they can assess what they may need to help them in the next stage of their life. Whether that is home care or moving to a senior living village such as the village at buckland court, for instance. We never know what will happen in each phase of our life, but knowing that whatever stage we do reach there is assistance out there that can make the days easier, can be beneficial when we start to plan.
What are your thoughts? Please share in the comments below. I really would love to know.
Until next time, shine amongst the stars!
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Thanks a bunch for tackling a topic most shy away from—how long we can expect to live. Your insights are eye-opening, especially the historical context and projections for the future. It’s fascinating to learn about the rise in life expectancies over the years and the role of technological innovations in potentially extending our lives. The idea that the first person to reach 150 might have already been born is mind-blowing! Your post has sparked some intriguing conversations in our home about health, longevity, and embracing the mysteries of life. Thanks for keeping us informed!
i do not focus much on how long we live as people, but yes, it’s much longer than before!
I really love this article! One of the things I am trying is eating healthy, that way our bodies can stay on this planet longueur!
Long-term health is important. I hope to live until I’m at least 85 years old, which is another 48 years. I’m keeping myself in great shape, avoiding stress, making my routine medical visits, and adjusting my eating habits.
It’s amazing how much longer we can live these days. I try to eat more healthy food than not where possible,.