Secrets of Centenarian Longevity: Diet and Medication Insights
Living beyond 100 years is a remarkable achievement often attributed to a unique blend of diet and medication. Centenarians, individuals who live to be 100 or older, typically maintain a healthy lifestyle characterized by a balanced diet and minimal medication use. They consume a diet rich in carbohydrates (60%), moderate in protein (19%), and fats (29%), with over 60% enjoying diverse food choices and less than 20% preferring salty foods. This dietary pattern, combined with low smoking rates (7%) and regular physical activity (23%), significantly contributes to their exceptional longevity.
Moreover, centenarians frequently use antihypertensives and cardiovascular medications, averaging 4.6 different medications. Common health issues include hypertension (43%) and dementia (41%), but their lifestyle choices mitigate severe health decline. Their tendency to live in rural areas (78%) and report high sleep satisfaction (68%) further supports their overall well-being. Understanding these factors provides valuable insights into promoting healthy aging for the broader population.
This comprehensive review underscores the importance of diet, medication, and lifestyle in achieving longevity. By adopting similar habits, individuals may improve their chances of living longer, healthier lives. The rural lifestyle and sleep hygiene of centenarians offer additional clues for developing effective healthcare strategies to support aging populations worldwide.
Article Information
A systematic review of diet and medication use among centenarians and near-centenarians worldwide
Published in Geroscience, Zhaoli Dai et al.
Abstract
Centenarians represent a phenomenon of successful aging. This systematic review aimed to understand lifestyles and health practices, focusing on diet and medication use for healthy longevity in community-based adults 95 years or over. Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and gray literature were searched from 1 January 2000 to 10 December 2022. Study quality was assessed using the Modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (mNOS). Pooled prevalence [%; 95% confidence interval] for categorical variables and pooled mean for continuous variables were estimated for demographics, weight status, lifestyle factors, medications, and health conditions. Of 3392 records screened, 34 studies were included in the review, and 71% (24/34) met the 6/8 criteria in mNOS. Centenarians/near-centenarians' ages ranged from 95 to 118 years, with 75% (71-78%) female and 78% (68-88%) living in rural areas. They had an overall healthy lifestyle: current smoking (7%; 5-9%), drinking (23%; 17-30%), normal weight (52%; 42-61%), overweight (14%; 8-20%), physical activity (23%; 20-26%), and sleep satisfaction (68%; 65-72%). Diet averaged 59.6% carbohydrate, 18.5% protein, and 29.3% fat; over 60% consumed a diverse diet, and < 20% preferred salty food, contributing to lower mortality risks and functional decline. About half used antihypertensives (49%; 14-84%) or other cardiovascular drugs (48%; 24-71%), with an average of 4.6 medications. Common health issues included impaired basic activities of daily living (54%; 33-74%), hypertension (43%; 21-65%), and dementia (41%; 23-59%). The findings of this systemic review underscore the pivotal role of dietary practice and weight management in healthcare strategies to promote healthy ageing. It also recognises rural living styles and sleep hygiene as potential factors contributing to healthy longevity.
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