Doctor Shares Secrets to Longevity and Better Health
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If it’s Friday, 101-year-old John Carroll and his wife, Jerry, 100, are having breakfast at McDonald’s
It’s become a weekly ritual for the centenarians: They meet friends, order sausage McMuffins with eggs and coffee, and enjoy a relaxed morning meal at the restaurant
The couple has been married for 80 years, lives independently in their own house in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and likes to dine out several times a week
They used to eat breakfast at McDonald’s every day for years, but no longer drive, so their son takes them on Fridays when Jerry Carroll also has her hair done nearby
John Carroll, a World War II veteran, is getting ready for a trip in September — three months before he turns 102. He’ll travel to Louisiana to visit the National WWII Museum in New Orleans
He uses the latest iPhone and talks with a deep, sonorous voice. When a reporter tells him he sounds healthy and strong, he replies, “Well, thank you, ma’am.”
“You’ve got to work hard and work every day and eat well and go to the doctor twice a year,” John Carroll tells TODAY.com about some of the factors he believes have contributed to his longevity
“Eat a well-balanced diet and exercise as much as you can, keep in touch with your friends,” Jerry Carroll adds. “(We’re) just taking it day by day, and we’ve been very blessed.”
She was born in June 1926; he was born in December 1924. The couple shared these simple tips for a healthy, long life:
Enjoy Good Food
The centenarians have a broad menu of favorite foods
When they have breakfast at home, it’s often cereal with bananas, blueberries and other fruits
The couple eats dinner at a restaurant a few times a week, enjoying country style steak, fried chicken, or turkey and dressing. They like turnip greens, spinach, salads and other leafy greens, which protect the heart and are among a cardiologist’s favorite vegetables. Other regular sides include pinto beans and okra, both rich in fiber
The Carrolls also regularly get pizza and sometimes make baked potatoes with vegetables at home. The rest of their meals are leftovers from their restaurant visits
They snack on cashews and almonds, both among the healthiest nuts. There’s room for sweets, too, with M&Ms or a Hershey bar on hand to nibble on
The couple drinks coffee and milk, plus a variety of juices: orange, tomato, vegetable, cranberry, grapefruit and pomegranate juice, which some dietitians consider the healthiest juice
Jerry Carroll lists spaghetti and pineapple upside down cake as some of her favorite dishes
“I like most every food,” she says
When John Carroll is asked if there’s a food that’s helped him live longer, he’s matter of fact
“I don’t know. I just eat average food, beans and taters, I guess,” he says
Love Deeply
The couple met when he was delivering groceries for a store, and delivered an order for her aunt, who introduced them. They started seeing each other shortly after
The Carrolls married on April 18, 1946
When asked if she has any relationship advice after 80 years of marriage, Jerry Carroll takes a broad view
“Not really. Just love each other and take care of each other,” she says
John Carroll is more specific
“What’s the secret? I just say, ‘Yes, dear,’” he explains with a laugh
“We’ve maintained a good relationship and a good life and just kept adding the years to it.”
Marital satisfaction has a deep impact on health. When researchers interviewed married couples in their 80s, they found older adults who felt content in their marriages also felt healthier and happier overall
Stay Independent
John and Jerry Carroll worked much of their lives
John Carroll served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed in the Philippines as part of an anti-aircraft artillery gun battalion. After the war ended, he delivered milk for decades, working 16 routes over the years
Jerry Carroll was a secretary at the Tennessee Farmers Co-Op for 35 years
The couple lives in their own house with the help of their family
Their son gets their groceries, picks up their medication, mows their lawn and orders any clothing or other items they need online
Longevity runs in John Carroll’s family, but only on the maternal side — his mother lived to be 99
“I was trying to make it to 99, which I did, and so now I’m over the mark, and I don’t know what the next day is going to bring,” he says
Move Your Body
The couple used to walk 2 miles a day at a local mall until John Carroll was 88 years old. Walking comes with physical and mental health benefits, and can reduce the risk of dementia
He now uses a walker and she uses a cane, so they walk less, but he still gets up at 4 a.m. every morning, sits on the floor and touches his toes 100 times. Seated toe touches stretch the hamstrings and calves, and can help reduce back pain
Jerry Carroll has a built-in workout at her home every day
“Taking care of the house the best I can is most of my exercise,” she says
Keep Warm Social Connections
The couple has each other for company, but they also enjoy catching up with family and acquaintances. Their weekly visit to McDonald’s includes meeting friends at the restaurant. There was a big celebration at their church to mark their 80th wedding anniversary in April
John Carroll texts his daughter every day
An analysis of 148 studies found people who had strong social relationships had a 50% increased likelihood of survival than their lonelier peers
Social connections can reduce inflammation, lower the risk of serious health problems and boost mental health, the World Health Organization notes
Good relationships — whether with a partner, family members or friends — are also key to happiness, experts say
“Just don’t isolate yourself,” Jerry Carroll advises
