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 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 - 70s through 90s too.
He’s one of the UK’s leading medical figures - a physician, Oxford University professor, public health expert and innovator. He was knighted in 2005 for services to the NHS, the UK’s universal care National Health Service, and currently holds a half dozen jobs and advisory roles. He's also written seven books - Sod 70! is the latest and blows up the old = 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.'
As well as people arming themselves with knowledge - advocating for their own health - he wants empathetic doctors writing knowledge prescriptions alongside those for social therapy and drugs.
We speak about the power of conquering stress, volunteering that's intellectually challenging - not just filling time - why we’re genetically mismatched to our environment, and why cliche gifts for the elderly like shawls and slippers 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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Music: “Beautiful Day” by Sahin Koc

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