Q. Question from last week: I’ve been reading about people who live to heover 100. Is there away to predicthowlonga person will live? 1am 68 and just curious, and hopeful. - B.G) Dear B.G.: Last week we addressed your question with only haif of the information, Before moving to the second half of the answer, let’s talk about life expectancy. Today, at birth, a boy baby can expect to live 84 years, a girl baby 87 years. A 65-year old man can expect to live until 81 and a woman until 84. Note these are averages. We have come a long way, particularly since 1900 when the average life expectancy was 47. Let’s return to the Life Expectancy Calculator, discussed last week, which was developed by Dr. Thomas Perls of Harvard University, director of the New England Centenarian Study and co-author of Living to 100 (Basic Books, $16). Rather than predicting your life expectancy, let’s review some of the items and their rationale. Answer the following questions as they apply to you: 1. Do you avoid getting a suntan? 2. Are you at a normal weight for your height? 3. Do you live close enough to family so they can just drop by?

4. Do you avoid risky sexual behavior or drug-related behavior? 5. Can you get rid of stress? 6. Did more than one of your parents, aunts, uncles or grandparents live to at least 90, in excellent health? 7. Do you exercise about 20 minutes a day? 8. Do you take vitamin E every day? Here is some background information for each question: 1. We know that the ultraviolet rays from the sun damage our DNA. They also cause us to wrinkle earlier than usual. Add to that the risk of skin cancer and we should all consider using SPF 15 and above for protection. 2. Perls and others tell us that obesity is associated with the production of free radicals because energy is not efficiently used. These free radicals can accelerate aging as well increase risk for diseases. 3. From his research, Perls found that centenarians often have extended and cohesive families that live close by and visit. Those who do not have social contacts seem to show more signs of stress and have fewer resources for coping. 4. It is well know that viruses such as HIV that are transmitted by risky sexual behavior cause not only AIDS but also a variety of cancers. Since these viruses change the DNA, it is assumed that they also influence the aging process. 5. The Centenarian study revealed that centenarians are terrific "stress shedders." A combination of "stress shedding" personalities and relationships with family and friends are considered

effective stress-reducing mechanisms. 6. Genetics does play a role In getting to an old age. Longevity on both sides of your family will help in getting to an older age with health. However, remember that genetics is only 30 percent of the story. 7. Exercise ... our favorite topic. Perls tells us that exercise allows our body to use energy in an efficient way. With that efficiency, there is less production of free radicals that accelerate the aging process. 8. Vitamin E is considered an effective antioxidant that fights free radicals, thereby slowing the aging process. It boosts the immune system, and there are some reports that it slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and stroke. (Note: Other research may indicate otherwise.) If you are interested in calculating your life expectancy, go to www.livingto100.com/quiz.htm, or www.hksrch.com.hk/llfeold.html for another approach. According to Dr. Perls, we can add as many as 10 quality years to our lives by taking "appropriate preventive steps!" But let us also remember George Carlin’s message: "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away!" So let us make wise decisions, have a little luck, and live along and breath-taking life. B.G., thank you again for your good question. [Helen Dennis is a specialist in aging with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Send her your questions aid concern in care of the Daily Breeze Today section, 5215 Torrance Blvd.. Torrance, CA 90503-4077]