In pursuit of longevity

Dr Fahim Chand | Monday November 21, 2022 06:00

Though it had been since 5 a.m., when that scourge of human technology, the alarm clock, had mercilessly poked his sleeping brain awake, the day had flown by.

He wasn’t a marathon runner or mountain climber, but his day was filled with adrenaline rushes and intense focus. There was no time for daydreaming or laziness. Such is life in the dental field. This is my favourite world. Satisfaction can be found in a patient’s relieved and grateful eyes after a procedure is completed. A smile crept across his stretched face as the neurotransmitter level travelled westbound and the cardiac machine slowed. His workday ended when he heard the heavy bolt slot into its secure position with the crimson light flashing to indicate armed.

As he stepped outside, he exhaled a sigh of relief because nature’s control room had slid the temperature dial to more comfortable levels. A tiny hopping creature expelled glorious birdsong as he approached his vehicle. He was not sure where this little bird was in his day’s schedule, but he seemed to be going full throttle.

While his feathers were various shades of mundane brown, his melodious tone would undoubtedly catch The Bee Gees’ attention. With such a strong musical start, he cued up Sundara Karma’s Indigo Puff as a follow-up. He conjugated into the flow of the still manageable traffic. While he was eventually on his way home there was another stop first. As he pulled into the parking area he knew there would be another surge of adrenaline to follow. He gathered his stuff and with his senses now heightened he navigated the opulent labyrinth to his destination. He heard the recognisable thwack of polyester filament striking rubber and felt as he observed the lofty fence.

He observed the skilled combatant at work as he drew near the gladiatorial arena. While he prepared for the scheduled tennis session, there stood his cousin Mohammed Ebrahim, whose fluid, well-practised movements summoned extreme obedience from the tennis ball struck against the wall. What followed was a full hour plus of consummate effort, filled with extreme topspin and last gasp lunges in pursuit of the pressurised orb.

And as we ended our session, with our sport towels wiping away evidence of our sporting efforts, we engaged in our weekly banter. As always it usually hovered on the light hearted side and what followed was the inevitable laughter. While we had both experienced as usual, a busy and eventful day, and as the sun kissed its last goodbye’s this seemed like a great way to end it. Sporting exercise is an excellent way for middle-aged men to ward off the ravages of time and illness. Science will most undoubtedly concur.

And, as we juggle schedules in pursuit of a tennis match or yoga class, could the post-exercise socialisation and laughter be beneficial to our health? And, once again, science appears to support this. While eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables and walking 10,000 steps per day are critical for overall health, new research suggests that if we want to live longer, healthier lives, we should prioritise social relationships by staying connected, showing kindness, and getting involved in our community. For instance, a meta-analysis discovered that partnerships that are healthy and supportive have surprisingly significant positive effects on lifespan. Participants in studies with an average duration of seven years, who had greater social networks had a roughly 45% lower mortality rate. Why does this occur? Our emotional mood has a direct impact on how our body functions biologically.

Our bodies go through a number of changes when we are under stress, including an increase in the production of cortisol, also referred to as the “stress hormone,” and the activation of the “fight or flight” response in our cardiovascular system. Even the immune system undergoes alterations in response to stress; our capacity to combat viruses declines while inflammation increases. Loneliness is one of the most significant stressors that modern humans face, with corresponding effects on our biological systems.

Loneliness has been shown to increase cortisol and inflammation, both of which are detrimental to our health in the long run. While stress and loneliness can disrupt our biological systems, connecting with others can help activate more beneficial processes, such as the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin has been shown to reduce cortisol, alleviate pain, alter how our brain responds to potential stressors, and even promote the growth of new brain cells. Additional studies have found people who volunteer or engage in acts of kindness tend to live longer, comparable even to the benefits of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Over the course of a five-year study, elderly people who volunteered were 44% less likely to die. And, while we are frantically exercising and limiting what foods we introduce into our body temples in the pursuit of longevity, why not engage in some positive humanity by being kind and helping each other? Isn’t that what life is all about?