A Longer Life

            With few exceptions, all of us would like the opportunity to add years to our life, especially if they were quality years in which we could be productive or enjoy the activities of retirement.  While it is true that people are living slightly longer than they did a century ago, it is debatable whether the quality of that life is better.  We know though that it is possible to live a longer life, even to live a good, long life. There is an old adage that says, “If you want to live to a ripe old age, choose your grandparents wisely.”  The point being that there are some things that are out of our control.  We have a genetic “shelf life” built into each of us and that varies widely from one person to the next.  Yet, generally speaking, experts suggest that the human body was designed to live 120-150 years.  In fact, some scientists believe the human body was created to live a thousand years!  Even taking the lowest figure, 120 years is still far more than most people live, although there are people who do live well over 100 years demonstrating that it is possible.  If it is possible for one person to do it, then the body is designed to live that long. 

Still, it is unusual enough that if someone does live to be 100, the local newspapers want to do an interview and ask him or her what the secret to longevity is.  Some of the “secrets” these centenarians give are quite amusing and often contradictory.  One will say he drinks alcohol every day, the other says he never touches alcohol.  One says hard work, the other says no work!  But of all the questions asked, one question is never asked.  Why does less than only one in 1,000 live past the age of 100?  What is keeping the rest from reaching the century mark? 

Honestly, none of the 100 year olds seem to have a “special secret,” and there is no secret to longevity common to them all.  As much as diet and exercise are important factors, that does not seem to be the secret.  Many of them do not have diets different from the average person and many of them do not regularly exercise.  Conversely, many people who eat well and regularly exercise all their lives do not live nearly as long.  Does that mean you should ignore good eating habits and regular exercise?  Of course not.  But there must be something else, some factor that is common to everyone, that prevents 99+% of the population from reaching 100 years of age.

            While not claiming to have the answers, I have a suggestion.  The ability of your body to generate life, the vital mental impulses to all parts of the body enabling them to work in a coordinated manner, is essential to a long and healthy life.  Some people may have naturally better functioning nerve systems, more powerful generators if you will.  Clearly, the ability to get these vital messages through to all organs, tissues and cells is as important a factor as the ability of the body to generate them in the first place.  It’s no coincidence that people who do not live to be 100 have bodies that quit working properly.  The heart is the most common factor but we also blame pre-100 deaths on problems of the lungs, kidney and liver. 

Here’s another question no one seems to be asking.  If the body is designed to last 120 years, why do some of the parts break down along the way?  One factor definitely is a lack of vital life energy from the brain to the parts over the nerve pathways.  That is where the chiropractor comes in, correcting vertebral subluxations that deprive the body of life-giving, life-extending, vital mental impulses.  Does that mean that going to a chiropractor will guarantee a longer life?  No, there are no guarantees that you will not be hit by a truck tomorrow.  But we can say just by sheer logic that, all things being equal and barring unforeseen trauma, if you have a good nerve supply, you have to live longer than if you do not.  Just as, all things being equal, exercising and eating healthy will extend your life.  Chiropractic enables you to have a good nerve supply.