Hi ,

How are you doing today?

Do you want to be a super-ager? Most of us do.

Super-agers are older adults who stay sharp and high-functioning well into their 80s and beyond. It is tempting to imagine that they hold secrets. But the truth is, no two people age the same way. Some of your contemporaries may appear and feel older, while others look younger; some are starting new projects, travelling the world, or taking on challenges that keep them engaged, while others spend most of their day watching TV.

Are super-agers free of disease?

Not at all. Many have changes in their brains, like amyloid plaques or tau tangles (related to dementias), yet never develop dementia. Some live with high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes. What makes them different is not the absence of disease, but better control of their disease conditions.

What about genes?

Genes play a role, but they don’t write the whole story. For instance, people carrying the APOE4 gene may have a higher risk for Alzheimer’s, yet many live long, cognitively healthy lives.

What about longevity genes?

Certain genes—like FOXO3 or APOE2—are linked to resilience and longer life. But genes are only part of the equation. Lifestyle, environment, and how well we manage risks often matter more.

The real takeaway

There is no single “secret” to super-aging. Instead, research shows that many interconnected factors play a role, including:

• Optimal blood pressure and blood glucose
• Lower inflammation
• Good hearing, vision, and sense of smell
• Staying socially connected and avoiding loneliness
• Having a strong sense of purpose
• Not having depression
• Not smoking or drinking
• Eating nourishing food, staying active, and getting restorative sleep

None of these guarantees super-aging, but each one helps build resilience. And the best part is, you can begin at any point in life. The question is: where would you like to start today?

If blood pressure is something you want to improve, I invite you to join my upcoming workshop, Tiny Habits for Better Blood Pressure, starting September 26. Together, we will design simple, sustainable daily habits to help keep your blood pressure in check, supporting not only your heart but also your brain for the years ahead.

Here's to becoming a super-ager!

Join Tiny Habits For Better Blood Pressure Program

P.S. Even if your blood pressure is normal, you’re welcome to join. I’ll help you adapt the program to your own health goals.

Best regards,

Shabnam

Dr. Shabnam Das Kar, MD

Functional Medicine Doctor

Tiny Habits Coach

Email: info@drkarmd.com