We didn’t know it a century ago but we know it now: age is malleable. No more is chronological age a signifier of anything beyond how many birthdays you’ve been lucky to enjoy.

It remains a primary risk factor for chronic diseases and impairments. But your biological age – the state of your physical self – is determined by your environmental and social context, your lifestyle history and habits, and your genes. It’s measured by a battery of biomarkers – things like cell viscosity and grip strength.

Sir Muir Gray, 79, is a human billboard for the disconnect between birthdays and biological age and the power of exercise of mind and body to maintain good health at every age. He’s one of the UK’s leading medical figures – a physician, Oxford University professor, public health pioneer, author of eight books. Increasing your Brainability and Sod 70! are his latest, blowing up the old-always-equals-frail narrative society keeps dishing.

Sir Muir says knowledge is the elixir of life:

“Clean, clear knowledge is the equivalent in this century of clean, clear water in the 19th century – it’s a public health service, people need access to it…Knowledge is the enemy of disease.’

We speak about the power of conquering stress, volunteering that’s not just filling time but intellectually challenging, why we’re genetically mismatched to our environment, and why cliché gifts like shawls and slippers for people in their 70s and 80s merit “tossing on a bonfire”.

Instead, he says, give resistance bands, free weights or lease them a treadmill or a stationary bike, preferably equipped with Virtual Reality if getting out of the house is an issue.

Links

• Muir’s University of Oxford bio
• Analysis published in The BMJ (British Medical Journal) by Scarlett McNally, Muir, Anna Dixon and others: Focus on physical activity can help avoid unnecessary social care
• Muir’s recent article in The Daily Mail – You’re never too old to be as fit as a fiddle!
• Muir’s Live Longer Better website and links to his seven books, including the latest Sod 70! The Guide to Living Well
• His YouTube channel Live Longer Better – new so much more to come
• One You app from NHS – Take the One You Quiz
• Muir on Twitter

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