Resiliency, the ability to cope with and overcome challenging life circumstances, may be an important key to living to be 100 or older.
That's the conclusion of researchers who conducted a new study in the Journal of Internal Medicine. They discovered that while African Americans have higher death rates than whites before age 80, after 80 that flips.
Once an African American woman reaches age 86 and a man hits age 88, they're more likely to live to be 100-plus than whites. And U.S. Hispanics ages 70-80 have an even greater chance of living to 100.
Fortunately, resiliency can be learned.
One lab study found that increasing dopamine builds resilience, and we know that physical exercise, having a posse, meditating, and even eating certain foods — such as avocados, bananas, pumpkin and sesame seeds, and chicken — can stimulate the release of dopamine in the brain, changing your outlook.
You can also ask your doctor to check if you’re deficient in iron, vitamin B6, or niacin, which help make dopamine. (Do not take these supplements without your doctor’s approval.)
Resiliency also increases with emotional backup.
When obstacles get in your way, rely on your posse of friends and family and your inner determination to take charge of your future.
And we’re always here to help too. Many of our favorite ways to take charge of today — and tomorrow — are outlined in our book "YOU: The Owner's Manual," and the future of longevity is explained in Dr. Mike's book "The Great Age Reboot."