Centenarian secrets

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

Do these centenarians in the CNN.com press report have much in common

with Western centenarians and CRONers?

Centenarians reveal longevity secrets

HAVANA (AP) -- A dozen Cuban centenarians described their daily diets

and lifestyles Wednesday to health specialists exploring the secrets

of longevity, including the personal physician of 78-year-old

President Fidel Castro.

The 12 men and women said to be 100 years or older were invited to

the gathering by the 120 Year Club, a Cuban group whose members are

convinced many people can live to a similar age by changing their

lifestyles.

Interviewing the group were nutritionists, psychologists,

gerontologists and other specialists from throughout Cuba, as well as

Mexico, France and Spain.

Among the centenarians was Benito ez, who claims to be the

oldest man on the island at 124 years, which would make him the

oldest person in the world. But his claim evidently has never been

authenticated.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest man in

the world is a 113-year-old from Puerto Rico.

Born in Haiti, ez said he had lived much of his life in eastern

Cuba.

At his side was 101-year-old Mercedes Matilde Nunez, who said her

secret to long life was her passion for dancing and singing, and gave

a brief demonstration to those present.

Agustin Gutierrez, 103, said hard work and eating vegetables had

helped him.

All agreed that an optimistic outlook was key for living a long and

healthy life.

" The whole world could satisfactorily life 120 years, " said Dr.

Eugenio Selman, the club's director and Castro's personal physician.

But to do so, he said, six basic elements must be fulfilled:

motivation to live, appropriate diet, medical attention, intense

physical activity, cultural activities and a healthy environment.

Cuba's life expectancy is 77 years, higher than most developing

nations.

Cheers, Al Pater