| Over the many ages of man, life expectancy has | | | | on average. |
| gone up and down depending on several factors. | | | | Potential Secrets to Longevity |
| Neanderthals, for example, had an average life | | | | Each country with high life expectancies claims a |
| expectancy of 20 years. The short life span was | | | | certain amount of responsibility for the longevity |
| likely caused by a way of life that was much | | | | of its citizens. In the Balearic Islands, for example, |
| more dangerous than we now know. | | | | one 114-year-old man who recently died was the |
| Mankind's never-ending race to find the fountain | | | | subject of study by doctors there for a few |
| of youth may never be over, but the more we | | | | years before his death. He cycled to work in his |
| learn about the human body, the healthier we are | | | | family orchard until he was 102 and believed |
| for it. Even in today's world of fast food and desk | | | | leading a physically active life and eating his native |
| jobs, people are finding ways to eat healthier and | | | | diet added to his life span. |
| live longer. Recent life expectancy studies show | | | | Different cultures vary on what they believe to |
| an average of 78 years in the United States. | | | | be the secret of longevity. The Japanese say |
| According to University of Pennsylvania | | | | vegetables are the key, Greeks say olive oil, and |
| demographer Samuel Preston, "We (in the United | | | | the French say red wine. Many Americans swear |
| States) are two to three years behind most | | | | by exercise, while Cubans say cigars are the key |
| Western countries at this point. We may be | | | | to longevity. |
| gaining, or not gaining, depending on the rate at | | | | The Real Secret to Longevity May Never Be |
| which their life expectancy is increasing. The male | | | | Known |
| versus female difference in life expectancy has | | | | Because human beings are so different in so |
| declined over the past 15 years. It was previously | | | | many ways, geneticists have not uncovered the |
| eight years; it's now five. Another positive trend is | | | | true secret to longevity. Geneticists, doctors and |
| that the life expectancy of blacks has been | | | | other medical and scientific professionals may |
| increasing relative to that of whites." | | | | never agree on one theory over another. The |
| Average life expectancy in Japan is 82 years. | | | | background and genetic makeup of every |
| Some residents of the Japanese island of | | | | individual are so incredibly diverse that one true |
| Okinawa rank among the oldest people on the | | | | secret may never be known. There are, |
| planet. In 2002, nearly 35 people per 100,000 | | | | however, a few things all the professionals can |
| there were over the age of 100. | | | | agree on. Proper diet, moderate exercise, limited |
| Andorra is a small nation in the Pyrenees | | | | stress and no smoking all aid in living longer and |
| Mountains between France and Spain. Its residents | | | | healthier lives. So while we may not yet know the |
| hold the top spot for longevity. Andorrans can | | | | secret to longevity, we are certainly familiar with |
| look forward to a life expectancy of 83.5 years | | | | the basic building blocks for it. |