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Cuban Centenarians Reveal Longevity Secrets, (Biogenesis)

Cuban Centenarians Reveal Longevity Secrets

HAVANA, Cuba (AP) -- A dozen Cuban centenarians described their daily diets and lifestyles Wednesday to health specialists exploring the secrets of longevity, including the personal physician of 78-year-old President Fidel Castro.

The 12 men and women said to be 100 years or older were invited to the gathering by the 120 Year Club, a Cuban group whose members are convinced many people can live to a similar age by changing their lifestyles.

Interviewing the group were nutritionists, psychologists, gerontologists and other specialists from throughout Cuba, as well as Mexico, France and Spain.

Among the centenarians was Benito Martinez, who claims to be the oldest man on the island at 124 years, which would make him the oldest person in the world. But his claim evidently has never been authenticated.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the oldest man in the world is a 113-year-old from Puerto Rico.

Born in Haiti, Martinez said he had lived much of his life in eastern Cuba.

At his side was 101-year-old Mercedes Matilde Nunez, who said her secret to long life was her passion for dancing and singing, and gave a brief demonstration to those present.

Agustin Gutierrez, 103, said hard work and eating vegetables had helped him.

All agreed that an optimistic outlook was key for living a long and healthy life.

"The whole world could satisfactorily live 120 years," said Dr. Eugenio Selman, the club's director and Castro's personal physician.

But to do so, he said, six basic elements must be fulfilled: motivation to live, appropriate diet, medical attention, intense physical activity, cultural activities and a healthy environment.

Cuba's life expectancy is 77 years, higher than most developing nations.

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Wed Feb 16