2024 Longevity Advent Calendar: Days 1-5

I thought a fun way to end the year would be to spotlight 25 longevity-related items. Some will be informational, others more entertaining.

Day 1: Baby it's Cold Outside!

There is a known seasonality around mortality rates. Winter months tend to have increased mortality. Potential explanatory factors include:

1. Prevalence of respiratory diseases (notably pneumonia at older ages) and increased air pollution
2. Heart events, possibly because we are sweating less. But also maybe because holidays are stressful and there is less access to care.
3. Darkness and cold impede time outdoors, sunlight exposure, and lower activity levels. This may increase depression and substance abuse.

However, while there are seasonal spikes, cold temperatures may not be so bad in some cases. Various studies indicate that lower core body temperatures support lower metabolic activity which can slow down cellular damage, (hence the cold plunge/shower trends). Although there may be a genetic component that limits the effectiveness.

We do observe high life expectancies, even when controlling for other confounding issues, in many northern climates. In terms of raw numbers, Canada, Iceland, and Switzerland are in the CIA's top 10 for life expectancy at birth.

That said, there is an issue with temperature swings. People in warm weather suffer more from cold spikes than people in colder climates suffer from heat waves. If climate change creates more variability in temperature, these oscillations could affect lifespans globally.

Lastly, in May of this year, Sam Gutterman authored a paper for the Society of Actuaries on the impact of climate extremes, positing that global warming has the potential to thaw winter's icy grip on seasonal deaths.

Takeaways: Relax, embrace the cold, consider adding Vitamin D, and engage in healthy behaviors.

Day 2: A Season of Giving

Let's explore a few ideas around altruism. In a "survival of the fittest" type of natural world, to give up your own resources for the benefit of another is not typically a sustainable recipe for your own survival. However, there may be societal benefits for social structures that employ altruistic mechanisms (bees, elephants, dolphins, whales, apes, humans).

Empirically, it does seem that there may be a positive association between altruism and wellbeing, even longevity. This includes the acts of giving as well as volunteering.

It also seems that altruism increases with age. You become more generous the older you get. This may be intuitive as it takes time accumulate more wealth, and have less demands on your schedule after your working and child raising years.

Finally, Longevity and AI researcher Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD argues in a Forbes article that we should actually donate and give resources to lifespan-increasing research because that may have the biggest windfall in terms of advancing global wellbeing.

Day 3: Take Time-Off

A core element of the holidays for many is burning up any unused vacation time. Taking time off is important, but to really maximize it, be sure to engage in healthy(ish) behaviors.

Maybe take a walk in a winter wonderland.

Additionally, maybe consider how you can shave off a few hours each week. The WHO finds that people who work 35-40 hours do a lot better than people who work 55+ hours.

But as in many things, there is also another side to this story. Take time off, but carefully consider your approach to retirement. Working in your later years, or partially working could be a good idea. It can give a sense of purpose, keep the mind engaged, and give you resources for any health issues you may have.

Day 4: A New Longevity Illustrator

From a blurb from the American Academy of Actuaries:

"Originally launched in 2016, the Actuaries Longevity Illustrator now has a more consumer-friendly mobile version. This refreshed resource makes it easier than ever to calculate the impact of an important factor in retirement planning: longevity risk."

Check it out!

https://www.longevityillustrator.org/

This was referenced in a PBS special feature called Be Smart

Day 5: Bryan Johnson's Lunch

In extreme #longevity news, following Bryan Johnson's journey is quite fascinating. He's experimenting with various anti-aging modalities, using a large array of supplements, rigidly tailoring his meal plan, and tracking it all by investing tons of money into routine testing. And he is publishing all of it!

Here's a video that explains how to make his lunch:

If this is not whetting your appetite, feel free to make your own super food concotion. Feel free to comment and share your favorite healthy holiday recipes.