Until now, no other generation before the baby boomers have lived through such a long period of peace, health and prosperity. Science and technology have made life easier in so many ways that we have little regard for the fact of our mortality. The fact is, however, that we have taken our good fortune for granted and we are watching in concern and alarm as friends and family members are dying slowly of cancer and other chronic debilitating diseases or suddenly of strokes or heart attacks despite all the best that drugs and technology have to offer.
The medical field of anti-aging has identified several theories of aging, which, if all considered can be addressed to modify the effects of time on our bodies and minds. The oldest known book of Chinese medicine, the Su Wen, together with Taoist texts such as the writings of Lao Tzu, is considered by some to be a manual elucidating the steps to promote healthful longevity. Together with modern discoveries regarding the effects of specific nutrients on our bodies, there is now an immense body of knowledge to be utilized in order to maintain health and vitality until our time to pass has come.
It is generally agreed that the human body is designed to live 120 years. Then why don't more of us live past 60 - 70 -80 years?