Additional Coverage:
- A 55-year-old longevity doctor says he’s healthier than he was 20 years ago. Here is his biggest tip for living longer. (businessinsider.com)
Want to Live Longer? Don’t Retire, Says Longevity Doctor
A longevity doctor has some simple advice for those hoping to extend their lifespan: don’t retire. Dr.
Shai Efrati, 55, a physician and professor at Tel Aviv University, claims he’s healthier now than he was two decades ago, and credits his continued work as a key factor. Efrati has been meticulously tracking his health markers, including brain MRIs and cognitive tests, and says the results are better now than when he was in his 30s.
Efrati, founder of a hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic in Florida, believes this treatment contributes to his robust health. The therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, and while some studies suggest it may reverse certain aging biomarkers, it’s not FDA-approved for this purpose.
While Efrati advocates for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, his most important advice for healthy aging is to remain engaged in work. “The most important thing is to have a future,” he emphasizes.
Feeling needed and having a sense of purpose is crucial, he argues. He advises against retirement unless the work is physically demanding, recommending finding new work if necessary.
“Fight for a purpose, be need-able for something,” he urges.
Efrati recounts the story of a patient in his 90s still active in real estate and even contemplating Martian construction. He believes this patient’s drive and purpose made him a better candidate for longevity treatments than a retired 40-year-old focused solely on relaxation.
Efrati’s views are supported by research. A 2019 study indicated that individuals with a stronger sense of purpose were less likely to die during a long-term follow-up period. This could be attributed to the link between purpose and well-being, which is associated with lower inflammation levels.
Experts agree that staying engaged is vital for longevity. Professor Karen Glaser, a gerontology expert at Kings College London, suggests that continued work (provided it isn’t overly stressful) can protect cognitive function.
Retirement, conversely, can lead to social isolation, a known risk factor for mortality. A 2023 study found that socially isolated individuals had a significantly increased risk of death.
Researchers studying supercentenarians (people living past 110) have observed that continued work is a common characteristic among this group. Biology professor Heidi Tissenbaum, who studies healthy lifespans, also emphasizes the importance of keeping both mind and body active. While employment itself isn’t essential, Glaser points out that staying occupied through volunteering or hobbies offers similar benefits.