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How Young Are You?
Take
the following tests adapted from Dr. Roy Walford?s The 120-Year Diet:
How to Double Your Vital Years, to determine the rate at which you
are biologically aging, rather than chronologically aging:
1. Skin Elasticity Test.
On the back of your hand, pinch the skin between your thumb and forefinger
for 5 seconds. Then count how long it takes for the skin to flatten
back out. Average rates per age: 45 to 50 yrs ? 5 seconds; 60 yrs ?
10 to 15 seconds; 70 yrs ? 35 to 55 seconds. (These are general variations,
but you get the idea).
2. Falling Ruler Test. This test measures reaction time,
which falls rapidly with age. Have another person hold an 18-inch wooden
ruler by the top, large numbers down, suspended centered above your
thumb and middle finger. Have them drop the ruler without warning three
different times, while you try to catch it. Average your score by adding
the number places where the ruler was caught and divide by three. Average
score at age 20 is at the 11-in. mark, versus the 6-in. mark by age
60.
3. Static Balance Test.
This is the best do-it-yourself aging measurement test you can do, according
to Dr. Walford. Stand barefoot on a hard, flat surface. Have someone
stand close by in case you fall. Close your eyes and lift your dominant
foot (whichever hand side you favor) about 6 inches off of the floor,
bending your knee at an angle of 45 degrees. Stay still, and have the
other person time how long you?re able to do this without opening your
eyes or moving. A younger person can usually hold their position for
30 seconds or more, while an older person usually only lasts a few seconds.
4. Visual Accommodation Test. This
test, as its name suggests, tests your eyes. While this test is not
as accurate as the one your personal physician can do, it will give
you a general idea of where your eyes are at, figuratively speaking.
Hold a newspaper in front of your naked eyes. Slowly bring the paper
in closer to you, until the regular sized letters start to blur. Have
someone measure the distance from your eyes to the paper at this point.
Average distance for ages 21 ? 60 are as follows: 21yrs ? within 4 inches;
30 yrs ? within 5 ? in.; 40 yrs ? 9 in.; 50 ? 15 in.; 60 ? 39 in. Remember,
it only matters when the letters start to blur, not when the print is
hard to read.
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