Age, Lobsters and Jellyfish …

Time for a biology lesson! Did you know that the typical lobster weighs 1 to 2 pounds on average? But in 2009, a Maine fisherman landed a 20-pound colossus, which was estimated to be at least 140 years old. The particular species belongs to an elite group of crustaceans that seems to be “biologically immortal.” Apart from predators, injury or disease, the lobster’s cells stubbornly defy the normal deterioration and aging process. In fact, most scientists are not even sure how long lobsters would live if they were simply left to exist.

Some animals don’t just stop the aging process—they actually seem to turn the clock back to youth. When the Turritopsis nutricula, commonly known as the “immortal jellyfish,” reaches adulthood, it alters the structure of its cells to revert to a juvenile, sexually immature form—repeating the cycle indefinitely. This would be the equivalent of a human hitting his/her 20th birthday and then transforming into an 8-year-old again. Wow ... what a thought!

Although these are very impressive facts, we are not lobsters and jellyfish but humans. As I look all around, and even in my own mirror, it appears to be a much tougher battle to slow down the “engine” of aging for us humans. The hot pursuit of agelessness is a multibillion dollar health and wellness industry, offering what many consider to be a collective escape from the open and grasping arms of aging. In fact in 2009, despite record unemployment, rising healthcare costs and sinking home values, Americans shelled out more than $10 billion dollars on cosmetic surgery and other procedures.

Now, I certainly don’t think that cosmetic help is all bad. We ALL need it at times. Most women (and even some men) would never dare to leave home without “putting on” their faces to greet the awaiting world each day, which does indeed make our shared space as humans more visually appealing. That said, and all jokes aside, I believe to effectively address the natural process of aging, one must move beyond “how” he/she looks and dig deeper below the skin’s surface to address how he/she “feels.” This is where the true fight for longevity and vitality is waged, fought and, ultimately, won or lost.

Controlling what enters the body and the environment (good or bad) that one is exposed to are two very critical and key steps to victory. Other steps include reducing stress, nurturing good psychological health and maintaining an active lifestyle. It’s all about making good decisions. According to statistics, 4 in 5 older adults battle at least one chronic condition or illness, such as a heart disorder, arthritis or osteoporosis. And, sadly, by age 75, about 1 in 3 men and 1 in 2 women do not actively engage in physical activity. 

This month’s editorial theme is agelessness, and in light of that, each individual must understand how to correctly and effectively address the very unpopular and highly sensitive topic of aging. It’s been said that “what one sees is merely a byproduct and reflection of what is unseen.”  This is true. The clock ticks for us all, jellyfish and lobsters included, but we can do much in the way of health and wellness to not only look great but, even better, feel amazing, fully alive and seemingly ageless.

With inspiring love,

Annette Briggs