It takes all kinds. Bernard Jensen, legendary, long-lived, and extremely vital chiropractic physician, took a very special journey a number of years ago. He had long been interested in exploring the elixir sought by men and women throughout history. He had heard rumors about people living to a ripe old age of 150 or more and wanted to verify or discredit these claims for himself. He published World Keys to Health and Long Life in 1975. In this wonderful book, he investigates the various elements of diet and lifestyle which have helped these people live long, healthy lives. Our favorite part is the section in which he interviews these elderly people and, next to their pictures, encapsulates their secrets for living so long. Cafer Baykam, born in Caucasus and living in Turkey most of his life, was 115 at the time of his interview with Dr. Jensen. His youngest child was 13 and he was looking to remarry. He never had a physical examination in his life. His mother lived until 135. He advised men never to marry before 35. Hatuk Nine, 128, was Turkey's oldest lady town crier, her occupation for the last 75 years. She had a strong, full voice which "could be heard two blocks away". She attributed her fine health and excellent voide to a daily breakfast of one quart of pure spring water mixed with ample lemon juice. Sirali Paryat Zemcant, 117, was pictured on his bicycle. He had married 17 times, and was a "hard-working, merry man" who worked like he was young. He never smoked or drank. Mahmut Sahin Nine, 120, claimed she had never been sick and planned to reach 150. Her secret to longevity was avoiding cities, which, she warned, made people sick. However, some of those interviewed by Dr. Jensen smoked and drank to excess and consumed up to six pounds of meat per week.

The hope of collective longevity. Kenneth Pelletier,Ph.D., well-known researcher in stress management and holistic health, set about to scientifically investigate the secrets to longevity. In his book Longevity: Fulfilling Our Biological Potential, published ten years ago, he explored the impact of evolution, fat and sugar consumption, attitude, and exercise on longevity. In contrasting research on two groups of centenarians, one in Hungary, another in Vilcabamba, Ecuador, the differences were striking. The Vilcabambans generally continued working until just a few days before their deaths, which were most often due to accidents or diseases brought from outside the local area. The Hungarians, on the other hand, usually succumbed to atherosclerosis or cancer. In Vilcabamba, hypertension, heart disease, and cancer are uncommon. Like Dr. Jensen, he concluded that long life could be attributed to a variety of different factors. He hypothesized that "the search for longevity may eventually lead more individuals to lives of reflection, for which the advanced ages are ideally suited". He suggested further that "Longevity will require a collective heightening of human consciousness", a reality in which fear of disease and poverty no longer have a hold on us.

Centenarian gems. A third, quite delightful book, published just last year, is entitled One Hundred over 100 and, like Dr. Jensen's book, tells the story, complete with recent photo- graphs, of all the centenarians interviewed. Reading about their dramas shows the beautiful variations of humanity- some bursting with life, others barely flickering, some light and cheery, others heavy and very stuck in their ways. When asked to share their precious secrets for surpassing 100, again their responses were like night and day. They varied from, "just being the way I am" to "Keep your feet warm, your head cool, your bowels open, and trust in the Lord". Some attributed their longevity to hard work, others to cornbread, some to a fighting spirit, some to health foods, and still others to "mind over matter" and loving families.

What can we do to live long? So, what can we glean from all of these centenarians' gems of experience? Ultimately, we think that genetics and karma do play an important role, but there's plenty we can do to lengthen our lives. Even though, as indicated above, every centenarian has his or her own tips, here's some sound advice for long life. l. Eat lightly. Those who undereat a bit appear to live longer. This confirms the ancient yogic advice of eating one handful of food at each meal, drinking one handful of liquid, and leaving the third handful empty. 2. Live simply. Long-lived people generally live uncomplicated lives. 3. Exercise regularly. Many centenarians live rugged, physically challenging lives. They breathe lots of fresh air and exercise their lungs vigorously. 4. Limit animal protein. The less beef, pork, chicken, and even dairy the better. Many people over 100 limited their diet to few items and ingested only small amounts of animal protein, except some form of fermented milk. 5. Do what truly makes you happy. Centenarians often feel useful, which gives them a real reason to continue living. 6. Love and be loved. Surround yourself with people with whom there is a mutual caring. 7. Be close to nature. Many centenarians love their gardens, their animals, their trees. 8. Share yourself in a meaningful way. Those who serve humanity, in whatever form, are said to be the happiest. 9. Keep your pipeline to Spirit always open.

Only 3,200 Americans were reported to have lived past 100 in 1969. Ten years later, the number exceeded 13,000. By 2039, many of us might be well on our way to being centenarians. Let's start really enjoying and making the most of our lives now so we'll be ready for it!

Drs. Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman and Robert Ullman are naturopathic and homeopathic physicians and cofounders of the Northwest Center for Homeopathic Medicine in Edmonds, WA. They are coauthors of The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine and Beyond Ritalin: Homeopathic Treatment of ADD and Other Behavioral and Learning Problems. They can be reached at (206) 774-5599.