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Do you smoke or chew tobacco, or are you around a lot of secondhand smoke?
Cigarette smoke contains toxins, which directly damage DNA and subsequently cause
cancer. Cigarettes are the biggest direct source of nitrosamines that humans
are exposed to. These substances—along with other constituents of cigarette
smoke—are potent oxidants and carcinogens that lead to accelerated aging and
to disease associated with aging.
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Do you eat more than two hot dogs, a couple of bacon slices, or a bologna sandwich
each week?
Some studies suggest that 90% of all human cancers are environmentally induced,
30%–40% of these by diet. Preserved and cured meats (such as bacon, sausage,
and lunch meats) are the largest source of nitrates in our diet. Nitrates lead to
the formation of nitrosamines in our bodies. Nitrosamines are important
environmental oxidants and carcinogens. For instance, there is a significant association
between nitrosamines and stomach cancer.
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Do you cook your fish, poultry, or meat until it is charred?
Broiling can change proteins and amino acids into substances called heterocyclic
amines, which can alter your DNA.
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Do you avoid fatty foods, and emphasize fresh fruits and vegetables?
A high-protein diet has been associated with increased risk of cancer of the breast,
uterus, prostate, colon, pancreas, and kidney. These foods can be inefficient sources
of energy and cause excess oxygen-radical formation. Of course, saturated fats also
lead to obesity and its risks (see Your height and weight, below).
On the other hand, diets that emphasize fruits and vegetables have been associated
with a significantly lower risk of heart disease and with better quality of life.
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Do you drink beer, wine, and/or liquor in excess (more than two drinks per day)?
Excessive alcohol is a toxin that damages the liver and the mitochondria within
most cells of the body. This leads to accelerated aging and increased susceptibility
to many diseases associated with aging. Note: A standard drink
is: One 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5
ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.
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Do you drink beer, wine, and/or liquor in moderate amounts (1 to 2 drinks/day)?
Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with decreased risk of heart disease.
This may be one explanation for the French paradox—the French are
known for their love of foods high in saturated fat, and yet their risk of heart
disease may be lower (except for those who smoke cigarettes), perhaps because of
the higher consumption of wine in that country. Note: A standard
drink is: One 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine,
or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.
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Do air pollution warnings occur where you live?
Numerous air pollutants are potent causes of cancer and contain oxidants, which
accelerate aging.
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Do you drink more than 16 ounces of coffee a day?
Excessive coffee can be a sign of increased stress. Stress can lead to a hormonal
imbalance, which can physically stress and age numerous organs. In addition, coffee
predisposes the stomach to chronic inflammation of the stomach and ulcers. Such
chronic inflammation leads to the release of substances that raise the risk of heart
disease. Green tea, on the other hand, has been noted for its significant anti-oxidant
content, and tea drinkers in general appear to be healthier.
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Do you take an aspirin a day?
Eighty-one milligrams (81 mg) of aspirin per day has been noted to significantly
decrease heart disease risk. This benefit may be due to the anti–blood clotting
effects of aspirin. Chronic inflammation may also play a role in heart disease (see
Do you floss your teeth every day? below); therefore,
aspirin's effect on inflammation may also be helpful.
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Do you floss your teeth every day?
Recent scientific evidence reveals that chronic gum disease leads to the release
of inflammatory, toxic substances and certain bacteria into the bloodstream. These
substances cause plaque formation in arteries and ultimately lead to heart disease.
This process probably also increases the risk of stroke and accelerated aging.
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Do you have a bowel movement less than once every 2 days?
Keeping gut transit time under 20 hours seems to decrease the incidence of colon
cancer, probably by decreasing the contact time between the gut lining and cancer-potentiating
substances in the diet. These substances influence DNA damage and repair—and
therefore probably also influence the rate of aging. Epidemiological studies in
humans and animal studies suggest that increasing dietary fiber reduces the risk
of certain cancers, perhaps by increasing the frequency of bowel movements.
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Do you engage in risky sexual behavior (unprotected or promiscuous sex) or drug-related
behavior that increases your risk of contacting HIV or viruses that can cause cancer?
Viruses such as HIV that are transmitted by risky behavior not only cause AIDS but
also various cancers, including lymphoma. These viruses change DNA and, thus, probably
influence aging as well.
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Do you try to get a suntan?
The association between sun exposure and accelerated skin aging is clear. The ultraviolet
rays in sunlight directly damage DNA. More sun means more wrinkles sooner. It also
means a higher risk of deadly skin cancer. Excessive sun exposure may also have
more toxic consequences for the body in general.
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Are there dangerous levels of radon in your house?
Radon is a gas emitted from various types of rock, especially granite. (New Hampshire,
the “Granite State,” is known for its high incidence of radon exposure.)
Radon is a potent carcinogen. Having toxic levels of radon in the home is like smoking
two packs of cigarettes a day.
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Your height and weight.
Obesity is associated with inefficient energy production and an increased production
of oxygen radicals within cells, therefore leading to increased risk of various
cancers, heart disease, and accelerated aging. Obesity may also lead to diabetes.
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Do you live near enough to other family members (other than your spouse and
dependent children) that you can drop by spontaneously?
Extended-family cohesiveness and frequent contact is a notable feature of centenarian
families. Researchers have noted that people who do not belong to cohesive families
have fewer coping resources and increased levels of social and psychological stress.
Psychological stress is associated with heart disease, various cancers, and increased
mortality risk.
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Does more than one member of your immediate family (parents and siblings) have
diabetes?
Diabetes causes excessive exposure to glucose and therefore debilitating cross-linking
of proteins. This results in age-related problems such as cataracts, impaired nerve
function, eye disease, heart disease, and other vascular problems.
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Your immediate family history.
Genetics play a significant role in the ability to achieve extreme old age. If both
sides of your family contract disease associated with aging significantly before
the average life expectancy, you should do all you can to maximize your health status.
If you have significant longevity in your family, this will greatly help your own
ability to achieve healthy old age.
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Do you exercise?
Exercise leads to more efficient mitochondrial energy production and less oxygen
radical formation.
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Do you take vitamin E (800 IU) and selenium (100–200 micrograms) every
day?
Vitamin E is thus far the best scientifically proven antioxidant available, whether
in the diet or given as a dietary supplement. Epidemiologic studies show that vitamin
E delays or retards the progression of Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, and
stroke. This vitamin also boosts the immune system. Selenium appears to have dramatic
effects in preventing cancer.