Barry Goldlist, MD, FRCPC, FACP
Ever since the landmark article by Fries in the 1980 New England Journal of Medicine, entitled 'Aging, natural death, and the compression of morbidity,' investigators, elderly people, and probably many younger people, have wondered whether the progressive frailty and dependency traditionally associated with aging are, in fact, inevitable. Preventive medicine, which originally meant preventing death early in life, is now being applied to preventing disability in the elderly. There is persuasive evidence presented by the MacArthur Foundation Study of Aging in America that the lifestyle choices we make are important factors in how we age. This information is clearly and effectively presented by Rowe and Kahn in the 1998 publication, 'Successful Aging.' They make a persuasive argument that while most of the chronic degenerative diseases of aging have a significant genetic basis, manipulating environmental factors can still be incredibly important.
Rowe and Kahn present their most persuasive argument in touting nutrition and physical exercise in preventing age-related frailty. My reading of the literature over the past few years is that although any exercise is better than no exercise, very vigorous exercise is better than moderate exercise. While early detection of specific diseases is important as well (e.g. cancer screening, diabetes detection, hypertension detection and treatment), I for one am firmly convinced that exercise and diet will provide the 'biggest bang for the buck.' Although lifelong commitment to preventive health care is the optimum, it seems like there is benefit in vigorous exercise and proper nutrition regardless of the age at which it is started.
The maintenance of normal cognitive function with aging is a much more difficult issue. We do know that higher levels of education are associated with less cognitive decline in old age, but it is unsure if there is any causal link. Certainly maintenance of good physical health will help maintain good mental health as well. There is really no evidence at the present time that 'mental gymnastics' such as crossword puzzles, or specific diets (e.g. rich in antioxidants), will help in maintaining cognitive function.
In the textbook 'Principles of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology,' Professor Hazzard writes a chapter on preventive gerontology that emphasizes the lifelong health practices that promote successful aging. It seems that it is never too early to plan for a healthy old age. Fortunately, it is also never too late to start.
