|
Gaining years of life is not a utopia
BY
JOAQUIN ORAMAS
IF
we consider that at the beginning of the last
century average life expectancy stood at under 50
years, a situation that moreover continued until
after World War II, and that it had reached 75 years
by the end of that century as the result of advances
in medical and societal hygiene research, it is not
really surprising that certain specialists believe
that everyone born from 2000 onwards is in a
position to live to 100 years or more.
Naturally they are referring to those living in an
equitable world where poverty is being eliminated
and the essential conditions of hygiene, healthcare,
environment and education prevail. This is not
occurring in all countries.
In
the case of Latin America and the Caribbean the
population is gradually but inexorably aging at a
rate more rapid than those of the developed
countries. That is taking place in a context
characterized by the high incidence of poverty and
acute social inequality, scant institutional
development and low social security coverage.
According to the UN agencies in the region, from
2000-2050 one in every four Latin Americans will be
an older adult. The group of countries with advanced
aging includes Argentina, Barbados, Cuba, the Dutch
Antilles, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico and
Uruguay.
Experts also affirm that with medicines against
aging what we are doing is gaining years of life, as
the advances in recent decades are so significant
that in the not-so-distant future currently
incurable diseases will become curable, thus making
it possible to extend the maximum limit of human
life to 120 years.
One
clear example of an utopia that we have not
mentioned is that in just 50 years, the most
developed nations and some developing ones – as is
the case of post-revolutionary Cuba – have extended
the average life expectancy rate by around 25 years.
On
the other hand, science is better understanding the
factors that have a direct impact on our health and,
thus, can investigate new methods and treatments
against the organism’s aging, marked as some say, by
a biological clock that is different for every
species. Apart from physical appearance, and without
adequate care, aging implies reduced energy of the
bone and muscular masses, a reduction of libido,
depression of vital tone and sleep deterioration, as
well as cognitive and cerebral functions.
Scientists have been seeking for an explanation for
aging for years, but have still not reached any
definite conclusion. In this context, some
researchers have decided to focus mainly on a study
of the basic mechanisms that provoke it and follow a
vital strategy based on the adoption of healthy
measures, both dietetic and physical and mental,
which play an active role in relation to health from
conception onwards.
These requisites for a way of life promoting health
establish measures that are easy to meet, and
include adequate alimentation, the elimination of
stress, physical exercise adapted to age and
condition, a favorable environment, heightened
culture, motivation and a positive attitude to life,
which constitute the best guarantee of prolonging
our well-being for as long as possible. |
