On Health and Longevity Advice

It's easy to get confused about who to trust when it comes to long term health and wellbeing.

We're bombarded with conflicting information from so many different sources, but where should we really be looking for guidance?

We're often told to listen to our doctors, and of course you should follow their advice if you're unwell or have a medical condition. But doctors are trained to diagnose and treat problems that already exist, and their medical education typically provides only a brief overview of nutrition and preventative care. Unless a doctor has a personal interest in these topics, they will likely focus on medical treatments and drugs.

Registered Nutritionists and dietitians know more about food than doctors, but their guidance is often based on government guidelines and nationally standardised requirements and regulations. And rightly so. But these guidelines are often slow to adapt to the latest research and can also be influenced by a country's agricultural interests. For example, some countries promote foods like potatoes and dairy, while others might focus on rice or meat. These conflicting recommendations can't all be optimal for health. Even organisations like the World Health Organisation tend to be cautious with their advice, as they don't want to cause economic disruption. Again, if you have a specific medical issue that can be helped by diet, then a registered dietitian would be best placed to advise.

When it comes to the online world, it can be difficult to find reliable information. Professors, longevity experts, and doctor influencers often raise good points, but their advice is frequently tied to something they're trying to sell, whether it's a supplement, an expensive clinic visit, or a book. 

For every expert with one opinion, there's another with a completely different one, creating a confusing and contradictory landscape. Even when both wave research evidence around.

Even personal trainers, while excellent at offering exercise advice, may not have a deep understanding of nutrition. They might promote highly processed supplements and protein shakes, which may be helpful for short term goals but not for long term health and sustainability. 

The same goes for sports stars and celebrities; their advice is often tailored to their specific goals and may not align with your own lifestyle or health-span.

So who should you listen to? Me?

Well you shouldn't blindly follow me either. I see my job as helping you cut through all the noise and focus on two crucial sources of wisdom.

So, firstly, why not go straight to the people who have actually lived long, healthy, happy lives?

When you listen to centenarians, you often hear a consistent message. While genetics and circumstances play a role, their advice is remarkably simple:

• Get plenty of good quality sleep.

• Stay active and keep your brain working.

• Maintain strong social connections with family and friends.

• Eat a balanced variety of wholesome foods and don't over eat.

• Practice empathy and try not to worry about things outside of your control.

• Find purpose

Yes they may have an occasional wine or a slice of cake, but for the most part, they keep things simple. This is a powerful, time-tested approach that doesn't involve expensive supplements, complex diets or even gym memberships.

The final person to listen to is you. 

We are all different, with varied genetics and unique life circumstances. The key is to pay attention to your own body and how it responds to new foods or activities. If you feel good after trying something, keep doing it. If you have negative reactions, like feeling bloated, having brain fog, or joint pains, then it's a sign that you should try something else.

The general advice for longevity (good food, staying active and social) is sound and should be followed. But it's up to you to figure out how to best implement it into your own life. You might not enjoy workouts but love walking or gardening. Onions may bloat you, but garlic doesn't. You might feel bad after eating beef but feel great after eating fish. Your body and mind will give you clues. You just have to listen take time and listen.