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Never discount Albert Einstein. His famous
formula, E=MC2, universally states
that energy can be created by accelerating
matter at very high speeds. C, in this equation,
is the speed of light. Additionally, E is energy
and M is matter. This groundbreaking formula
served as the premise for the atomic bomb, a
rather horrific chapter of human existence.
However, something of noted interest is that we
may also integrate Time into this equation since
speed is equivalent to Distance divided by Time.
If we solve for time, our equation becomes
T=√D2x
M x 1/E . This is of particular importance, since
this suggests that matter traveling greater
distances will have increased measurable time. I
would like to proclaim this formula to be the
Life Expectancy Formula as a function of Time.
The variables of the equation are as follows: T
is time or life expectancy; D is distance
traveled in a lifetime; M is mass of the
organism; E is energy or calories consumed by
the organism. In fact, utilizing this equation
shows that airline pilots are calculated to have
a slightly longer life span by virtue of
traveling greater distances over a life time. It
explains why calorie restricted humans live
longer. Additionally, it also provides some
degree of logic as to why the life span of many
birds often exceed 100 years and why that life
span is substantially shortened in caged
captivity. Furthermore, and rather
coincidentally, French researchers recently
showed that people who walk faster live longer.
This study even managed to correct for study
subjects with similar hypertensive and
cholesterol profiles.
Is this study result merely validation of
Einstein's theory? Can we buy more time in life
by merely covering greater distances and
consuming less calories? I once tried to delve
into the deeper message in one of Albert
Einstein's quotes. His quote stated the
following, "Life is like riding a bicycle... to
keep your balance you must keep moving." Is
Albert suggesting that we dismiss the
manufactured magic potions and lotions that many
believe to be their own personal fountain of
youth? I believe Albert's message for sustained
youth is rather simple. In effect, whoever logs
in the most amount of distance covered in a
lifetime remains the most youthful and will
subsequently have the greatest longevity. So,
throw out that expensive mud pack and invest in
a quality pair of sneakers. Cut down on your
caloric intake. Put more pep in your step and
make an effort to walk to the corner grocery
store as opposed to driving the family
automobile. Clearly, the established general
consensus is that exercise vastly improves
health. But, we may be able to extrapolate the
amount of additional life years as a function of
the amount of miles our body logs over a given
lifetime. No one will ever dispute the
importance of a healthy diet. But miles traveled
over time may actually be the true measure of
life expectancy. So, let's all attach a mile
counter to our ankle and move forward to a long
and productive future. Taken a step further--
Could it be that the investment in periodic
space travel isn't such a bad deal after all?
Robert E. Rainer, MD, is a graduate of the
University of Maryland School of Medicine. He
completed his residency training in obstetrics
and gynecology in 1995 and shortly afterward
established his medical practice (see:
www.brooklyngynplace.com ). Dr. Rainer's
practice flourished and is now a leading OB/GYN
practice in New York City. Get his book:
www.doctorsguidetowealth.com/index.htm |
