Aging well or not

Does attitude, ability, diet, and habit really affect aging and whether or not the mind deteriorates as the body ages? Or is it all determined by genetics?

The argument of nature versus nurture is as old as the hills, to use a phrase of similar age. But in reality, they most probably go hand in hand, having substantial effects on the individual. Regardless of your healthy habits, in some things you simply cannot outrun your genes. You are going to die. This study was brought up in my research class today, and I think it very interesting. The Nun Study, which is termed exactly that, was described by my professor as a researcher's dream because about 600 nuns, who have had all nurture variables removed, donated their time and brains to science. Some of them are getting alzhiemers, but most of them are not. Statistically, they are mentally sharper and much more active in their 80s and 90s than most people are in the 60s and 70s. Many of the sisters are living into their 90s and a few into their hundreds, but their quality of life is astounding. They still get up every morning, do various tasks, and exercise. Few are bedridden or confined to wheel chairs.

On the other hand, is it really so astounding? The old saying "if you don't use it, you loose it" holds true for most skills and competencies. why not for mental capacity? My great-grandmother was 96 when she died and retained her full mental competence until her death. Is this genetics? Well, she read books incessantly and sang from morning to dusk. When she was in her 70s, she had stopped working and got board over the summer, so she memorized the Latin names of all the plants in her garden. She hardly ever engaged in passive intellectual activity, i.e. watching television. She never smoked, always ate whatever she grew in her backyard, and she worked day in and day out, always doing something.

Exercising the brain and the body together are known to help. Keeping the brain active and working it out every day can and will definitely aid in recall, memory, and intact faculty. Just how much of an influence has always been the debate. The first website listed is fairly solid and simply summarizes the facts involved int he study. Enjoy. =)

http://www.stpt.usf.edu/~jsokolov/agealzh2.htm

http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101010514/