The world’s oldest neurologist answers your questions about aging
At 103, Howard Tucker is the world’s oldest practicing doctor. He answered these burning questions from Nat Geo readers.
It can be overwhelming to navigate all the advice out there on how to live a longer and healthier life. But who better to learn from than someone who has already done it?
National Geographic recently went right to the source of longevity tips in an interview with Howard Tucker, who at 103 is the world’s oldest practicing doctor—and a TikTok star, with 102,000 followers and counting.
His secret to longevity? As Tucker told writer Alisa Hrustic, he credits “a continuous pursuit of knowledge and connection—and the occasional martini.”
(At 102, he’s the world’s oldest practicing doctor. These are his longevity tips.)
Tucker’s advice was so popular that we put out a call to readers, offering you a chance to ask him your own burning questions about aging, longevity, or living a healthier life.
And Tucker delivered. Read on to find out whether he answered your question—and what he really thinks about dietary supplements, ageism, and why you reap real advantages from spending time with the young people in your life.
1. What’s a common misconception people have about living over 80?
People think that everyone over 80 has an addled brain and is beginning to dement. This is not true. Far from it. There are plenty of older people who are intact mentally, even physically.
2. At what age did you start experiencing ageism in medicine? How would you combat this type of discriminatory thinking?
When I go to a doctor with someone with me, the doctors will talk to the others and bypass me because they think I’m not capable of incorporating it all. I’m having trouble now getting a new job because of my age. They presume, number one, I don’t have it all anymore. And number two, I won’t be here when the time comes to testify [about] the medical legal stuff.
When people tell me that they are discriminated against because of their age, I can only tell them that the concept is common, not necessarily personal, and does not reflect on their own frailties. So, keep moving forward and ignore what they’re saying about you.
3. As someone with Alzheimer’s running on all sides of my family, what are some habits or suggestions to combat it?
Stay engaged. Have friends who stimulate you. Continue to read and study and maintain an attitude about life that’s exuberant. Although I must confess, I knew some brilliant people who stayed active mentally, still developed Alzheimer’s. But the prevailing concept is that one should do these intellectual exercises to keep things going.
4. What’s your opinion on supplements or medications for cognitive longevity—are any truly helpful?
Some people will say yes. Others say no, hogwash. I will say that at one point, the lowest consumers of extra vitamins were physicians themselves, and now, they’re just like the rest of the herd. They take supplements.
To me, the jury is still out. It may help some, we think, and may not help others.
(5 things you should know before taking that supplement.)
5. What is your opinion about the best activities to help us with the process of aging?
The key is to stay active, meaning physically and mentally. Physically, just walking will do it. And mentally is reading and puzzles, as they’ve always said. And staying stimulated—by younger people for the most part. In my instance, engaging with younger colleagues is stimulating.
6. How much does our environment, pollution, access to the outdoors, etc., influence our health and longevity?
I don't know about climate change, but pollution is definitely hazardous for longevity. There have been studies on this. People who live near factories which have polluted the air, or foundries, they have complications, which shortens their life.
7. Can aging symptoms of a 78-year-old—e.g. arthritis, sore knees and hands, vision problems—still be cured or is it a matter of trying to slow down the severity?
The concept is: “running cold water does not freeze.” And joints that stay active do not freeze. So far as I know, there is no cure. There are medicines to slow down the progression.
8. Over the course of your career, what has changed the most in how we understand the aging brain?
The MRI and CAT scan. They took us from medieval times into the modern century.
