Medical practitioners, eminent scientists and renowned researchers use the term “Super Agers” for senior citizens who are 80 and above in age. North-Western University researchers in America recently declared that only those 80 and above citizens must be called “SuperAgers” who have memory power as good as that of people who are between 50 and 60 in age. According to these researchers “Super Agers” should be able to recall later, the happenings of each day in their life.
They must be able to recollect and narrate every past experience accurately. That would be the exceptional quality of “Super Agers”.
Dr. Emily Rogalski is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences at Feinberg School of Medicine, affiliated to North-Western University.
She is a Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscientist. She says memory loss is of three types – Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia and Amnesia. Only those who
are free from these could be called “Super Agers”, according to Prof. Emily, She shortlisted such senior citizens and discovered the secrets of their
photographic memory.
Secret No.1 – Frequent Body Mass Index (BMI) checkup, avoiding obesity, walking and other simple exercises and remaining brisk at all times.
Secret No.2 – Intellectual exercises for the brain; probing deeply into some new subject and gathering information about it. Brain power and mind power
would certainly grow stronger. Don’t worry if you are unable to solve the mathematical puzzle ‘Sudoku’.
There are many more intellectual exercises to try like ‘Chess’, for example.
Secret No.3 – Economo Neurons are found in the brains of “Super Agers”. These neurons prevent memory loss. But they can be acquired only by
moving jovially with people around us – not by living like lone-wolves and morons, like an island. Secret No.4 – Being a teetotaller is the fourth secret;
staying away from alcohol. Abstaining completely from it is better. Moderate consumption is tolerable. But addiction is hazardous to memory
power.
Dr. Ezhilan celebrated his 60th Birthday on 23rd January 2023. I could not attend the event that evening. I met him two days later to convey my
belated greetings. He is an eminent cardiologist. I have been one of his patients. During our informal chat we discussed age related biological
problems. He quoted a Chinese maxim which meant that ‘Super Agers’ should eat to live; should not live to eat. I agreed with him. Overeating isthe cause of numerous complications. We should resist the temptation to eat like gluttons. Gluttony would only mean digging our own grave. Super
Agers above 80 must adhere to diet control. That is certainly the fifth secret for pristine health and
agility. Dear readers, if you are below 80, begin practice. If you are already above 80 “Super Agers” – never give up adherence to these five rubrics, which are
in fact five secrets of a lovable life
