Latest news with #HowardTucker
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
This one silent habit is more dangerous than alcohol or smoking, says 102-year-old doctor
No miracle diet or supplement can help you live long if you don't have a purpose in life , argues a centenarian doctor . American physician Howard Tucker , who made it to the Guinness World Records as the oldest living physician in the world, recently shared one of his secrets to a long life. In an interview with TODAY magazine, the 102-year-old doctor said, 'Retirement is the enemy of longevity .' According to Tucker, the key to a long, fulfilling life lies not in any pill, but in living with intent. He strongly asserts that the moment people abandon their sense of purpose, particularly after retirement, they begin to deteriorate both mentally and physically. Simply put, a passive life is a fast track to decline. Rather than stepping away from life's engagements, Tucker advocates for remaining intellectually and emotionally active. Hobbies, voluntary work, or even light responsibilities can offer stimulation to the brain. Continual learning and curiosity, in his view, are essential mental exercises that help preserve cognitive clarity. Each day must offer the mind something new to wrestle with—be it knowledge, creativity, or connection. No Room for Stagnation Dr. Tucker practiced medicine until the age of 100, halting only because the hospital he was affiliated with closed down in 2022. If it had remained open, he says he would have continued treating patients without hesitation. This sheer commitment exemplifies his core belief: consistent engagement with meaningful work fuels life itself. For Tucker, waking up each day to contribute to society was more than a duty—it was his lifeblood. Love, Loyalty, and Lifelong Joys Beyond professional pursuits, Tucker draws strength from deeply rooted relationships and personal passions. He's been married for over seven decades and is the proud patriarch of a large family that includes four children and ten grandchildren. This strong familial network, paired with his unwavering devotion to his hometown sports teams, gives him constant emotional grounding and joy. Research has repeatedly shown that individuals with rich emotional connections and an optimistic perspective on life often enjoy longer and healthier lifespans. Never Too Late to Learn Tucker is not just a doctor but also a legal scholar. At the age of 67, he pursued and earned a law degree—proving that age is never a barrier to academic or personal growth. When asked about mortality, he reflects with realism, saying that the inevitability of death only enhances the value of life. For him, acknowledging the end motivates one to embrace the present with vigor. Movement as Medicine Another pillar of Tucker's philosophy is physical activity . He emphasizes the importance of daily movement, noting that even a modest 15-minute walk can significantly lower the chances of early death. His own routine includes walking three miles a day on his treadmill and snowshoeing in winter, demonstrating that movement should be a lifelong habit, not a fleeting phase. Mindful Eating, Simple Living His diet is built on balance and moderation. He begins his mornings with seasonal fruits or cereal paired with low-fat milk and prefers tea over coffee. Lunch is often skipped to maintain mental clarity, and dinners usually consist of fish, a variety of vegetables—especially broccoli—and an occasional serving of meat. His eating habits reflect his broader approach to life: clean, consistent, and conscious.
New York Post
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
World's oldest practicing doctor, 102, reveals ‘enemy of longevity'
Most people slow down with age, trading suits and deadlines for slippers and daytime TV. Not Dr. Howard Tucker. The Cleveland-born neurologist treated patients for nearly eight decades, earning the Guinness World Record title for oldest practicing doctor just before his 99th birthday. Now 102, Tucker may have hung up his white coat, but he hasn't hit the brakes. He spends his days lecturing future doctors at Case Western Reserve University and consulting on medical-legal cases — thanks to the law degree he picked up at the age of 67. 5 Dr. Howard Tucker treated patients from 1947 until 2022. drhowardtucker/Instagram Oh, and he's gone viral on TikTok while promoting What's Next, a documentary about his life, produced by his grandson. Tucker recently peeled back the curtain on his remarkable run — and how he's stayed sharp, driven and active well into his second century. 'Retirement, I think, is the enemy of longevity,' Tucker recently told TODAY's Al Roker. 'You have to have some purpose in life and get up in the morning and know what you're about,' he added. Tucker continued practicing medicine until age 100, only stopping when the hospital where he worked shuttered its doors in 2022. 5 Tucker will turn 103 years old in July. whatsnextmovie/Instagram If it wasn't for the closure, Tucker told PEOPLE, he'd 'absolutely' still be seeing patients. He's even 'putting out feelers' for another gig — though he admits, 'nobody wants me at my age.' 'But I'll keep trying,' he said. Tucker has no intention of stepping away from his current workload. But for anyone thinking about throwing in the towel, he's got a word of advice. 'If they retire from their work, they should at least do something as a hobby, whether it be communal work or self-hobbies,' he told TODAY. 'You need a stimulus for the brain daily.' Science backs him up. Studies show that having a sense of purpose, continually learning new things and engaging in activities that require problem-solving, creativity and attention are key for staying mentally sharp into old age. 5 Tucker is one of the oldest people to receive a law degree. drhowardtucker/Instagram The average American lifespan was 77.5 years in 2022 — and Tucker blew past that long ago. His parents lived to 84 and 96, but he said good genes are only part of the equation. 'Heredity and family history of longevity is a healthy start. However, it must be supported by moderation of nutrition, alcohol, and happiness,' Tucker wrote in his Guinness submission. For Tucker, happiness comes from work, his wife of over 70 years, their four kids, 10 grandchildren — and a lifelong love for Cleveland sports. Research shows that people with strong social connections and a positive outlook tend to outlive those who are isolated or depressed. 5 Tucker has been married to his wife for more than 70 years. drhowardtucker/Instagram Tucker has also made staying active a lifelong priority. Writing for CNBC, Tucker said he's always avoided letting himself get out of shape. He gave up skiing after a fall in his late 80s left him with a broken neck, but he continues to snowshoe and hits the treadmill for at least three miles a day in his home gym. Tucker noted that even small habits make a difference, with studies suggesting just 15 minutes of walking a day can cut the risk of early death by nearly 25%. 5 The documentary about Tucker's life, What's Next, was the People's Voice Winner at the 2025 Webby Awards. Getty Images for The Webby Awards His diet is simple. On the mindbodygreen podcast, Tucker said he starts his day with seasonal fruit and sometimes cereal, washed down with 2% milk and a cup of tea instead of coffee. He usually skips lunch to stay sharp, and dinner is typically fish and vegetables — especially broccoli — with the occasional serving of meat. He and his wife end the day with something sweet, sometimes fruit, sometimes ice cream. Trucker rarely drinks but makes an exception for his favorite cocktail. 'I love my martinis,' he told Medical Economics. He's never touched a cigarette. With his 103rd birthday around the corner in July, Tucker isn't wasting time worrying about the end. 'I never think of death,' he told TODAY. 'To be alive is to know that you're going to die because life is a fatal disease. And so I live it.'
