Many of my friends are very interested in things like eating organic, and having fewer pesticides and chemicals in the things they eat. There is a certain amount of emphasis put on being as natural as possible, basically reverting to the eating of previous generations. There are also other things involved in their eating decisions, such as the treatment of animals, and the environment. I think it is great for them to get satisfaction from these endeavors. In the bit of research I have done, however, eating healthy is just one of many factors that lead to a good quality of life, and longevity. Another major factor is obesity. Unfortunately, many of these same friends are overweight. Statistically speaking they would be better off doing whatever they had to to get their weight in a normal range. That would very likely indicate a diet high in fruits and vegetables, which they are already pros at, but also exercise. This is another activity that I see very little emphasis on in the healthy eating community. Another big contributing factor to longevity is stress management. Exercise helps control stress. Vital relationships and time out with friends also plays a role in longevity, probably because of it's tie to relieving stress. Interestingly, I have friends who have really never left their children since they were born years ago. I understand that children are wonderful, and I love mine, but at the same time I find that when I am around them my mind is constantly estimating the likelihood of them falling into catastrophic danger. When I am away from them and I know they are with a trusted grown-up I can concentrate on only one thing, which is just plain less energy consuming. There is a bit of a release in just being responsible for me, and there is also a bit of a self-confidence boost as I remind myself of the other parts of me that are interesting and valuable. There are actually very few friends I can count on to leave their families to foster strong friendships. I understand that all of my friends may not choose to spend their kidless social time with me (I do have a big mouth at times, after all) but I see little evidence that my mom friends are doing it elsewhere.
If raising chickens is a relaxing activity for you, and it contributes to your happiness, and self-satisfaction, then more power to you. The same goes for gardening. Some may say that I am deriding these activities because I don't like doing them and they are not relaxing for me, and that would be completely true. I don't like to garden. I don't want pets or chickens. So yes, I am easing my conscience, but at the same time, I don't see evidence that spending the extra time and money on doing these activities only because the products are more natural will make an appreciable difference in the quality of my life or longevity, especially if I am doing well on a variety of other planes. I exercise regularly, spend time with friends, do my best to relax and appreciate life, have regular sex (another key to longevity, for a variety of reasons). I have a lot of energy and I am completely healthy as far as I and any recent doctor visits can ascertain.
This leaves me with the strongest known factor in the determination of longevity. Genetics. Studies have shown that the length of your parents and grandparents lives is the most consistent determining factor in how long you will live. I have a grandma who will be 99 this year. "Go Grandma!" When I am interrogating my future sons and daughters in law I will make sure to find out how old their grandparents are (JK). Scientists are feverishly working on how to alter and enhance our DNA to make sure we all have the chance to endure a few more years of sitting in a wheelchair being offered a cookie in return for a smile, (like my Grandma) . Your next best bet for life extension after genetics is a calorie restrictive diet. It is another of the few scientifically proven ways of extending lifespan. You can find out more about that here. Notice that little mention is made of what those calories should consist of, though I believe a more-or-less balanced diet is assumed.
In short, I think agonizing over food choices is not the complete story when it comes to having a good and active life. I think running over to pick up that extra box of food from a local organic co-op may be better spent going for a jog, or spending an hour talking to a friend over lunch without kids, (even friends with big mouths and dissenting opinions). Being healthy will always be important. Mainstream media or even mainstream science will never have all of the facts about the food we eat, and what is truly the best for us, especially if those facts are not favorable to big business or big pharmaceuticals. But I also think it is flawed thinking to put all of the burden on advances in food production when it comes to lowering our quality of life. After all, lifespan is vastly longer now than it was in the time when we didn't have pesticides and relied on raw milk.
I had fun watching this entire video so feel free to watch the rest of it at PBS.
Watch the full episode. See more NOVA scienceNOW.
Here are some more links I found interesting:
Longevity and Genes
101 Ways to Increase Longevity and Quality of Life
100 Year Olds are as Unhealthy as the Rest of Us
Longevity and Aging
I also found a lot of great information in Merchants of Immortality
