In California, USA, a 101-year-old nutritionist is proving that age is just a number. Not only does he work as a part-time professor at a university, but he also drives himself around and travels the world. When sharing his secrets to longevity and health, he revealed that he credits his ability to reach 100 years old to seven simple lifestyle habits unrelated to genetics.
According to a report from NBC’s “Today” show, the centenarian, John Scharffenberg, is an adjunct professor at Loma Linda University. He mentions in his speeches around the world that simply changing lifestyle habits can lead to a longer life.
Scharffenberg mentioned that his mother passed away in her 60s due to Alzheimer’s disease, his father died of heart disease at 76, and he has outlived both of his brothers. Thus, he believes longevity is not necessarily tied to specific longevity genes.
He emphasized that his longevity compared to his siblings is mainly due to his consistent exercise and staying active, particularly during middle age, which is between 40 and 70 years old.
He stated, “It’s when you need it (referring to exercise) the most because people in this age group tend to be more lax, have more money to buy more food, sit more, eat more… and that’s the wrong way to go about it.”
On his YouTube channel “Viva Longevity!” he shares 7 simple life rules that people can follow to extend their lifespan:
1. Scharffenberg never smokes, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA indicate that smoking can harm every organ and is a leading preventable cause of diseases, deaths, and disabilities.
2. He abstains from alcohol as well, debunking the common belief that moderate alcohol consumption is beneficial. Studies have shown that any protective effects on the heart from light drinking can be offset by an increased risk of cancer.
3. Despite being a nutritionist, he considers exercise more important and promotes walking as a great form of physical activity.
4. Research has found that people who walk over 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) daily have a death rate half of those who walk shorter distances.
5. Americans consume an average of about 22 teaspoons of added sugar daily, which can lead to obesity, heart disease, and other health issues. The American Heart Association recommends men consume no more than 9 teaspoons of added sugar per day and women no more than 6.
6. Scharffenberg advises people to find ways to reduce sugar intake in their diets, sharing his love for oatmeal waffles that his wife invented as a healthy option without drowning them in syrup, but topping them with cashew cream, bananas, or berries.
7. He stopped eating meat after the age of 20 and now follows a vegetarian diet, including dairy and eggs. His favorite foods include mangoes, avocados, potatoes, macadamia nuts, and other nuts and seeds.
Moreover, he suggests that the ideal diet is a plant-based one, as recommended by the American Heart Association to consume less than 6% of calories from saturated fats.
Scharffenberg also practices intermittent fasting by only having breakfast and lunch each day and skipping dinner. He stops eating in the afternoon and only resumes at 6:30 AM the next day.
While the secrets to longevity and health may vary for each centenarian, they are all worth considering. Another centenarian from Pennsylvania in the USA believed in exercise over medication, spending hours at the gym five days a week for the past 40 years. Perhaps, this dedication is the key to living a long and healthy life.