I recently earned a couple of gerontology degrees and was amazed by the human lifespan and how short it seems. The question that seemed to plague me was the maximum human lifespan. How long can humans live and what reasons do some live longer than others? The answers were simple based on statistical data.

The maximum human lifespan is about 120 years statistically (give or take a few years). How can we extend this lifespan because the average american only lives somewhere between 77 and 82 years. The numbers have been increasing but consistently diet is the most prominent reason for shortening the human lifespan. A bad diet can cause development of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease/high blood pressure which are 3 of the leading causes of death in the study of american seniors.

Biologically the hayflick is another factor that genetically stops us from reachibng our potential in life. For a simple explanation our cells divide and replicate from birth until we are senescent and ready for death. Sometimes they are the reason people die of old age.

Biologic engineers and chemists have also been researching how to reproduce the flavor and satisfaction of fast food while keeping the food healthy. Although there is some argument and some find it a blind alley, many believe that is possible to create food that tastes as good as our favorite fat, and sugary american diet. Food for thought.

In my opinion, research on the human diet, and the hayflick limit could lead to the possible increase of the human lifespan by a factor of 3 or 5 times the normal limit under the right conditions.