Centenarian nutrition expert reveals his 7 guidelines for a lengthy and healthy existence
Dr. John Scharffenberg: A Century of Healthy Living
Dr. John Scharffenberg, a 101-year-old adjunct professor at Loma Linda University's school of public health, continues to drive, travel internationally, and educate others about healthy living. His journey is a testament to a high quality of life and a strong belief in the power of exercise and lifestyle choices.
Born in the early 20th century, Dr. Scharffenberg's insights into longevity are particularly noteworthy. He advocates that the critical window for establishing longevity comes between ages 40 and 70. This perspective challenges the common belief that longevity is mostly luck or inherited genetics, suggesting instead that lifestyle choices can actively rewrite one’s fate.
Dr. Scharffenberg's core principle for achieving longevity is prioritizing daily movement and exercise over perfect dieting. He emphasizes that regular physical activity is the #1 key to living longer, rather than focusing solely on diet quality. This approach suggests that conscious, consistent movement can dramatically reduce risks associated with aging and major diseases, even for those who may be overweight.
The doctor, who has never smoked and abstained entirely from alcohol throughout his life, drives a red Toyota Prius and practices a simple form of intermittent fasting, eating only two meals daily. He also focuses on getting natural sugars through whole foods instead of eliminating all sweetness from his diet. His wife, who creates sugar-free alternatives like oat waffles topped with cashew cream and fresh fruit, supports this approach.
Dr. Scharffenberg's commitment to exercise is evident in his daily routine. He walks more than 2 miles daily, a habit associated with a lower mortality rate compared to shorter walks. He also travels internationally to deliver lectures on healthy living, making him a social media sensation with millions of views on YouTube channels like Viva Longevity!
In addition to his vegetarian diet, as per the American Heart Association's recommendation to limit saturated fat to less than 6% of daily calories, Dr. Scharffenberg's longevity principles centre on daily physical movement as the cornerstone for health and lifespan, viewing exercise as a powerful preventive tool against major diseases, and rejecting the idea that diet perfection or genetics alone dictate longevity.
Dr. Scharffenberg's approach to healthy living, emphasizing exercise and conscious lifestyle choices, stands out compared to more traditional longevity advice that underscores diet or genetic factors. His life's work serves as a powerful reminder that our choices can significantly impact our health and lifespan.
- Dr. Scharffenberg's life's work, focusing on exercise and lifestyle choices, challenges the common belief that longevity is mostly luck or inherited genetics, suggesting instead that lifestyle choices can actively rewrite one’s fate.
- In his daily routine, Dr. Scharffenberg prioritizes daily movement and exercise over perfect dieting, emphasizing that regular physical activity is the #1 key to living longer.
- Dr. Scharffenberg's longevity principles center on daily physical movement as the cornerstone for health and lifespan, viewing exercise as a powerful preventive tool against major diseases.
- The doctor's commitment to health-and-wellness, incorporating fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, nutrition, and lifestyle choices, serves as a powerful reminder that our choices can significantly impact our health and lifespan.
