Long life

[gurnemanz]

I've just read in the paper that Misao Okara has become the word's oldest person (aged 115 and 99 days), and recommends eating pickled mackerel for long life. We did have mackerel (non-pickled) last night, so I might be on the right track. When I asked my father who died aged 95 a few years ago, he put his longevity down to using the stairs rather than the lift to his office on the 7th floor. As I approach my modest 64th in a couple of weeks, any other suggestions?

[Thropplenoggin]

I've just read in the paper that Misao Okara has become the word's oldest person (aged 115 and 99 days), and recommends eating pickled mackerel for long life. We did have mackerel (non-pickled) last night, so I might be on the right track. When I asked my father who died aged 95 a few years ago, he put his longevity down to using the stairs rather than the lift to his office on the 7th floor. As I approach my modest 64th in a couple of weeks, any other suggestions?

Avoid the politics threads on Platform 3.

Some of it will be genetic. Other variables will be exposure to stress (workplace, personal life), hazardous materials, lifestyle (diet, not smoking, etc.) I don't think there's a magic formula. The Buddhist way of responding to aggression with a smile can't hurt.

I like Gamba's tip - listening to a Haydn quartet every morning. It seems to have worked for him.

My grandmother (Greek) is in her nineties, still cooking for herself, and still travels back to Greece each year for the summer where she still swims in the sea.

[mercia]

eat pickled mackerel whilst climbing the stairs

[Bryn]

Mackerel used to be a very cheap source of Omega 3. Today its price has become somewhat inflated.

[Mary Chambers]

My father lived to be 94, still looking after himself. His recipe for long life was "Moderation in all things, including moderation". He would only say that if someone asked him, but I think it's probably as good as anything. That and the random good luck of the right genes.

Whether living to a great age is a good thing is another matter. It depends on the quality of the life, I think.

[Serial_Apologist]

Don't get pickled too often though....

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Whether living to a great age is a good thing is another matter. It depends on the quality of the life, I think.

My father said that when he couldn't go for a walk, he wouldn't want to go on living. For the last two years of his life, he was housebound, and miserable.
My mother said she wouldn't want to live if she had dementia like her own mother. Sadly, she too had dementia for more than ten years,

[Serial_Apologist]

My mother said she wouldn't want to live if she had dementia like her own mother. Sadly, she too had dementia for more than ten years,

My mother too, EA. It seems to run strongly in my family. In consequence of being a single person family I do my best to keep on good terms with my neighbours.

[salymap]

My mother too, EA. It seems to run strongly in my family. In consequence of being a single person family I do my best to keep on good terms with my neighbours.

Yes S_A asyou put it,I am a single person family but with lots of cousins still, and a few friends of my age.

My mother lived to 87, didn't have dementia but a lot of pain from various things. My apparently healthy father died of a heart attack at just 70. He did smoke all his life

My partner died of cancer years ago, he was in his 60s. Now Isee friends going through the worst time oftheir lives as their other halves die. Nothing is easy,we're all vulnerable.

I think the boards, getting on with neighbours [seriously] and trying to see the funny side of things is all I can do.

So I can't see a pattern to it all really. Just keep right on to the end of the road.

[doversoul1]

I was rather intrigued by ‘pickled mackerel’. I don’t know what sort of a picture you have in mind, but it looks as if it can be more accurately described as mackerel salad, if this makes sense. Here it is. You can watch how it’s prepared. The instruction emphasises that freshness of the fish is critical. I’m not sure what the vegetable is but probably a type of radish. Incidentally, the dish is called shime-saba if you want to ask an expert.

http://dt125kazuo.blog22.fc2.com/blog-entry-34.html

Apparently the mackerel was not her secret of long life but her birthday treat. Mrs Okawa was reported to have said ‘I don’t think I’ve done anything special. Have I really lived that long? I had no idea’ Here lies the secret, maybe?

[Padraig]

I'm a rambler I'm a gambler, I'm a long way from home
And if you don't like me just leave me alone.
I'll eat when I'm hungry I'll drink when I'm dry
And if moonshine don't kill me I'll live till I die.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi6u82eLFwQ

[Petrushka]

My father said that when he couldn't go for a walk, he wouldn't want to go on living. For the last two years of his life, he was housebound, and miserable.
My mother said she wouldn't want to live if she had dementia like her own mother. Sadly, she too had dementia for more than ten years,

This is pretty close to the situation of my own parents, both still alive. My father, 94 this Saturday, is more or less housebound now with fluid in his legs. He puts his long life down to climbing 84 steps to the church belfry rwice a week and bell-ringing for nearly 60 years.

My mother is now in a care home with dementia but is otherwise physically healthy.

I've got no intention of ending up like either of them.

[amateur51]

I was rather intrigued by ‘pickled mackerel’. I don’t know what sort of a picture you have in mind, but it looks as if it can be more accurately described as mackerel salad, if this makes sense. Here it is. You can watch how it’s prepared. The instruction emphasises that freshness of the fish is critical. I’m not sure what the vegetable is but probably a type of radish. Incidentally, the dish is called shime-saba if you want to ask an expert.
http://dt125kazuo.blog22.fc2.com/blog-entry-34.html

What a remarkable video, no commentary provided, nor required

[Sir Velo]

I've got no intention of ending up like either of them.

This kind of attitude reminds me of a former acquaintance of mine, addicted to smoking. When asked of his long-term outlook, he said "I don't care if I drop dead when I'm 50, I will have enjoyed my life."

When one is in good health, suicide or euthanasia seems an easy option to deal with the sufferings of old age. My experience is that the tenacity to hold onto life is usually very strong.

[salymap]

This kind of attitude reminds me of a former acquaintance of mine, addicted to smoking. When asked of his long-term outlook, he said "I don't care if I drop dead when I'm 50, I will have enjoyed my life."

When one is in good health, suicide or euthanasia seems an easy option to deal with the sufferings of old age. My experience is that the tenacity to hold onto life is usually very strong.

You are quite right Sir Velo, but certain diseases do make one wonder how one would continue...