"Are you as young as you can be?"

The better question is: "Are you as vital as you can be?"

Nothing can "reverse" the process of aging (nor should it, since death is part of the natural order). There are, however, many ways for one to increase and restore health and vitality. A number of such methods -- I'm thinking of ayurveda*, meditation**, herbal teas and tinctures, fasts and liver cleansing, flower essences -- aren't factored into the RealAge test questions or the health plan that is offered up at the end of the test.

What one can gets in the end is certainly valuable information. Just be aware that this is a Western medi-site, so there are aspects or approaches to health and diet that are not considered.



It would be interesting to know how certain factors things are weighted, though. My "real age" was almost under 30 until a couple of questions about transportation came up. Supposedly, being an infrequent passenger in a car (I don't drive) had some correlation with aging -- or perhaps lack of exercise. If I had claimed that I only ride public transit, then the overall calculation might have remained as it was.

In any case, my answers to those questions [along with a couple about exercise and social connections] put a couple of years back on the bodyclock. At the end, I read that it would be beneficial to pump iron and have a dog to pet.

I'd prefer tai chi and a cat, thanks.


* Veggie low-fat diet helps lower cholesterol levels
**Meditation medicine: The mind can extend life, study suggests