In an exclusive conversation with India Today, globally renowned medical expert Shitij Kapur debunked the myths of ageing and made clear that lifestyle choices outweigh instant quick fixes. From stigma surrounding mental health to the rise of precision medicine, Kapur shared some tips and insights that open the gates on how we may better live healthier and longer for fulfilling lives.
Live Longer with These 6 Tips
Kapur emphasized that a longer and healthier life depends on very simple, doable habits instead of costly therapies or unproven remedies. He presented what he describes as the “longevity essentials” in the following list:
- No smoking
- Only a little alcohol
- Regular exercise
- Balanced diet
- Good sleep
- Social connectivity
Kapur says that if these basics are followed, then the life expectancy is added up to 24 years. “The difference between someone who follows these essentials and someone who doesn’t is staggering,” he said. He also cautioned against the attraction of nutraceuticals and vitamins claiming to extend life by altering chromosomes or telomeres. “These claims are not backed by science and can be a waste of money,” he cautioned.
The Myth of Precision Medicine
Precision medicine, which tailors treatment according to genetic profiles, works well in some areas, for example, in cancer treatment, but “precision medicine is revolutionary for specific conditions but is not a magic bullet for longevity,” Kapur said. He then illustrated this with the example of a $4.5 million treatment for a rare brain disease, evidence that advanced medical intervention is rapidly becoming unaffordable.
Kapur said public health interventions like vaccinations and nutrition programs have much greater effects on life expectancy than precision medicine. “The real game-changers are interventions that improve health at a population level, especially during childhood,” he said.
Mental Health: Shattering the Stigma
Kapur also touched upon the stigma of mental health, which has persisted not only in India but also in the West. “The notion that mental health problems are openly discussed everywhere except India is a myth,” he said. He reminded one that even in Western nations, the stigma prevailed until celebrities-politicians, athletes, and movie stars and sportspersons, etc. came out.
“In India, the younger generation is more open to discussing mental health, thanks to social media and global connectivity,” Kapur noted. However, he stressed that more awareness and accessible treatments were needed to deal with the increasing burden of mental health issues.
Dementia: Prevention Over Cure
On the aspect of dementia, Kapur reported that although an earlier onset disease may be quite problematic, research found no suggestion that dementia began in life even earlier than usual. “It is just an issue of increased detection,” said Kapur.
Of popular myths as an antidote against dementia-in-crosswording, coffee-and-sleep-pattern, he discounted those. Actually, he encouraged social engagement in daily life together with cardiovascular as well as proper mental well-being in reducing their risks.
Living Healthy vs. Living Longe
Finally, Kapur asked people to draw focus away from the idea of living past 100. “The objective shouldn’t just be to live longer but to live healthier,” he said. He pointed out that, though life expectancy has risen by leaps and bounds since the 1950s, it has stabilized over the recent period even in developed countries. “Sowing more on advanced medical treatments won’t dramatically shift life expectancy. What will make a difference is healthy lifestyles and better public health infrastructure.”
Kapur’s wisdom reminds one that the route to a healthier and longer life is simple and sustainable rather than expensive or unproven solutions. As healthcare costs continue to climb and people live longer, his message remains: prevention over cure, mental health above everything, and simple habits for living well.
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