Researchers now estimate there will be approximately six million over the age of one hundred, by the middle of the 21st century. As the average age is thrust toward the 50 mark, the traditional views of ‘middle-age’
There are today approximately 340,000 people 100 years and older across the world today. The largest concentrations being in the United States and Japan, with its low-fat diet of rice and fish. It is estimated that 1% of Japan’s residents will be centenarians by 2050.
Singapore, Italy, Greece and Monaco with their warm climates, will also have a large share of centenarians, mainly amongst the women.
This estimated increase is believed to have been caused through improved diet and medical progress, which in turn have decreased heart attacks and stroke. Some think genetics, as well as life style play an major role in long life. Doctors are also responding more fiercely to illnesses of people who were once believed to be too old for such attention.
Age 113, Henry Allingham has died holding the Guinness Book of Record as the oldest man alive and the second last remaining World War 1 veteran. Allingham was known to be very active right up to his final days, his zest for life being exceptional.
Chief executive of St Dunstan’s care home in Ovinden, near Brighton, on the South Coast of England said “As well as possessing a great spirit of fun, he represented the last of a generation who gave a very great deal for us".
The former oldest record holder, Tomoji Tanabe, died in June in Miyazaki Prefecture of Japan, also 113 years old. His secret was to consume milk at 3.p.m., read newspapers and continue writing in his diary.
A man supposedly 138 years old, died at his home in India, in Aug 2008. Habib Miyan holds the record for being the longest standing aged pensioner, having been the beneficiary of retirement payments since 1938.
Scientists have believed since the 1930’s that eating for long life is a real possibility, due to a technique that sharply limits food intake, by up to as much as 30% below a regular diet. Many considered this calorie limitation, or a regime of permanent dieting, is a method to ensure longevity.
Following the publishing of a paper on the subject in a science magazine, by researchers at the University of Wisconsin, new importance has been given to researchers and companies, including GlaxoSmithKline PLC, to look for a drug to copy the beneficial effects of a diet in humans, without the feeling of being starved.
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