The Key To Long Life In The Style Of A Doctor 103 Years Old, Active Life And Simple Eating Patterns

Dr William (Photo: Business Insider)

JAKARTA - A 103-year-old man from England named William shared the secret of a healthy and long life. The man who was born in 1922 can still live independently with the support of the geriatric medical team.

William is included in a small group called centennarians, people aged 100 years or over.

"I hope to live as long as William, as well as imitate his optimism and curiosity," said Dr. Samir Sinha to Business Insider.

However, it is not only the medical factor that keeps William healthy, but also the lifestyle he lives in. Here are three long secrets.

1. Stay Active Every Day

Since childhood, William is used to swimming four to five times a week. Now he is still walking and regularly lifts a load weighing 7 kilograms every day.

"Be aware of inactivity. I'm not letting myself be immobile," said Dr. Sinha.

According to Dr. Sinha, William's combination of aerobics and strength training is ideal for maintaining heart, brain, muscle, and bone health. Research also shows 20 minutes of walking per day or 30 minutes of muscle exercise per week can help prolong life.

2. Cooking Alone And Eating Sarden

William is still preparing all his food at home. This habit makes him avoid ultra-process food which has proven to increase the risk of more than 30 diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Since the age of 6, William has been fond of eating sardines.

"I ate sardines even before people knew about omega-3," said Dr. Sinha.

Sarden is rich in potassium, iron, and calcium. According to research published in Frontiers in Nutrition in 2023, sardines can help heart health and lower blood pressure.

3. Long and Different Careers

William also believes that work plays an important role in maintaining the spirit of life. He started his career as a general practitioner, then worked in the field of public health, compensated workers, and became a psychotherapist before retiring at the age of 85.

"The change of career is good for anyone. You can't sleep your whole life. You have to stay interested," said William.

According to Dr. Sinha, having a long and diverse career has made William socially involved and feels that he has a purpose.

This is in line with the opinion of Heidi Tissenbaum, professor of molecular biology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School who says keeping the brain active is the key to longevity.