Track 19

Unit 11

Biology

The Fountain of youth

Page 110

Extend the topic

Part A

So Professor Pirelli, I understand that you believe that our mental outlook can affect how long we live. Is that right?

Absolutely, Sarah. We now have a lot of evidence that the mind-body connection is real. A positive or negative attitude can exert a strong effect on our health, as well as our lifespan.

Is there any medical research to back up that idea?

Sure, first positive emotions such as cheerfulness, liveliness, a can-do attitude and curiosity toward life can stimulate our brain to produce chemicals and hormones that strengthen our immune system and fight infection.

So, having a positive attitude actually has a physical effect on us?

Yes, but there’s more to it than that. People with a positive attitude have more of a fighting spirit and that’s particularly important when they have health problems. They are less easily defeated by those problems than more negative people. This attitude becomes more important as we age.

Because older people are more likely to have health problems.

Right. One last point is that people with a positive attitude follow their doctors advice more often and more regularly than less positive people. For example, if their doctor tells them to take medicine or to exercise they usually do it. You can imagine how important that can be.

Yeah, sure. Okay, so there you have it. Want to live longer? Then stay positive.