101 years old! The world's oldest doctor reveals 5 secrets to longevity and anti-aging, which many people fail to follow

Imagine if you go to see a doctor and the doctor sitting opposite you is over a hundred years old, how would that feel?

This is a neurologist from the United States and the current holder of the Guinness World Record for "Oldest Practicing Physician" - Howard Tucker. You should know that he is 101 years old this year!

Image from Howard Tucker's personal website (What's next?)

He is over 100 years old and can use his mobile phone, computer, and social media to post short videos. In his spare time, he also shares his life wisdom and secrets of longevity and anti-aging on social media.

The autobiographical documentary "What's next?", co-directed by Dr. Tucker's grandson, is about to be released, sharing Dr. Tucker's life story and his secret to keeping his brain healthy and sharp at the age of 101.

Dr. Tucker says: Excessive testing and supplements are not the answer to longevity

Dr. Tucker is still working at the frontline even though he is over 100 years old. You should know that many elderly people start to experience brain aging in their 70s and 80s, and even suffer from diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. How did Dr. Tucker manage to remain clear-headed and anti-aging at the age of 100?

Howard Tucker decided to study neurology in high school to explore the mysteries of the brain. After entering college, he began his endless exploration of medicine. In 1947, he was already a neurologist and began his medical career. Until 2021, his name was listed in the Guinness World Records, becoming the "oldest practicing doctor in the world."

Dr. Tucker enjoys his time at work. “I am always excited every time I see a patient. I feel honored and grateful to have their trust,” Tucker said with emotion.

This sense of responsibility once made him sneak out of his home to treat cancer patients at the age of 98. Even the COVID-19 pandemic at the time could not stop Tucker's eagerness to save people. He saw patients five or six days a week, and he seemed to have forgotten that according to his age, he was also a high-risk group for COVID-19.

He stopped seeing patients at age 100, but continues to teach residents at the hospital. He thinks his genes may have played a role in his long-term cognitive health and acuity: his mother lived to 84 and his father to 96.

His father could still drive himself to dinner at the age of 95. "Genetics is a head start, but that's it," Dr. Tucker said in an interview with the media.

Dr. Tucker said that the key to longevity may be genes, and there may also be a little luck, but if you can maintain certain lifestyles, it may be the secret to longevity. Now many people take various supplements, have monthly blood tests, MRIs and colonoscopies... These are not the answers to longevity.

5 secrets to longevity and mental clarity that many people don't follow

Later, more and more patients asked Dr. Tucker how he could maintain a healthy, long life and a clear mind. So he shared his secret recipe for longevity in an interview with CNBC:

1

Keep learning to keep your brain active

Dr. Tucker suggested that if you have a job you like and your body can still bear it, you should consider delaying retirement. Because after retirement, many people's lives begin to stagnate, they are no longer active, their cognitive abilities decline, and then dementia may come.

You know, when most people were considering retirement, Dr. Tucker, then 67, chose a new challenge. He passed the bar exam and became a lawyer.

He said he would rather continue to enjoy life than die in a bed and a nursing home, which is a great pleasure for him because I learn something new every day! For Dr. Tucker, the way to keep his brain healthy is to keep reading. "In addition to the latest advances and treatments in neurology, I also like to read biographies and detective stories."

Immersing yourself in a good book, whether fiction or nonfiction, requires the brain to process a lot of information, and he believes new information is key to keeping the mind sharp.

2

Maintain a good habit of exercise

Well into his 80s, Dr. Tucker continued to stay fit by swimming, jogging, hiking, and skiing. Dr. Tucker understood the minimum requirements for staying healthy.

Dr. Tucker has not suffered any major illness over the years. Even when he broke his neck while skiing in his 80s, he recovered quickly.

Although Dr. Tucker, now 100 years old, no longer skis and is not as active as he used to be, he still tries to run 4.8 kilometers on the treadmill every week . If he gets bored of running alone, he will watch classic movies while running.

3

Never smoke, there are no benefits

Dr. Tucker never smoked, but he occasionally drank alcohol in social situations.

When Dr. Tucker was in high school, he told his father that he wanted to smoke. His father replied, "I don't mind. But life is so short. Besides fresh air, why would anyone want to fill their lungs with dirt?" This immediately stopped Dr. Tucker from trying to smoke.

Dr. Tucker pointed out that smoking causes cancer, stroke, arterial disease and heart and lung disease. In his opinion, the comfort of smoking is obviously not worth mentioning compared with the consequences.

4

Eat in moderation but not excessively

Many elderly people like to be self-disciplined in their work and rest and diet, not allowing themselves to eat this or do that. However, Dr. Tucker believes that a life that is too self-restrictive may be counterproductive to longevity. A "moderate but not excessive" lifestyle can fully enjoy every moment while maintaining long-term health.

"I'll have a martini or a New York steak every now and then, but I don't do it every day," said Dr. Tucker, whose wife, Sarah, is a good cook and prepares a healthy, varied diet for the couple. He likes vegetables and has them at every meal, especially cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli and kale.

Dr. Tucker's diet mimics the Mediterranean diet, which has long been considered the gold standard for healthy eating. The diet focuses on vegetables, healthy fats like olive oil, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates like whole grains. Studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet can reduce cardiovascular disease risk and promote brain health.

5

Be optimistic and treat every day as if it were your last

When Dr. Tucker is not working, he enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren, four in total, and ten with them, sometimes spending a pleasant weekend together, snowboarding or watching sports.

"Everyone thinks there is a formula for longevity, but my answer is: enjoy every day! Live every day as if it were your last. I think this philosophy of life is beautiful."

Finally, although it was good luck to have a gene for longevity, more importantly, his healthy eating habits, his love for life, and his close interaction with patients, students, and family members contributed to his longevity and wise life.

References

[1] Howard Tucker's personal website (What's next?)
https://www.whatsnextmovie.com/synopsis

[2] "I'm the world's oldest practicing doctor. My 3 best tips for living a long, healthy life" https://www.today.com/health/aging/worlds-oldest-practicing-doctor-turns-100-rcna42375

Planning and production

Source: Health Times

Review | Tang Qin, Chief Researcher, Science Popularization Department, Chinese Medical Association

Editor: Yang Yaping

Proofread by Xu Lailinlin