LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- A discussion started some time ago on the Nigerian social media space, first as a joke but then it gained momentum and became a full blown debate.
What started it? Someone shared a side-by-side picture of Nollywood actor Emeka Ike with that of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, both born in 1967. Ike was born on March 22, while Wike was born on December 13 of the same year.
What triggered the controversy? The stark difference in their appearance. It caused quite a stir as many online users asked and gave different opinions as to why Ike looked visibly much younger than Wike.
Some said the Minister might not have declared his real age, others leaned towards genetics, while some made witty remarks and turned the entire conversation to bants.
But this begs to ask the age old question: “Why do some people seem to age faster than others?”
There is something fascinating about watching people age.
Before I go into the boring science stuff, I want us to take a minute and think of that person we love and how their looks have changed over the years. Or better still, look in the mirror. We were once children, cute little babies smiling at the camera.
Turn the leaf of the family album and see the first birthday with Fanta and cake (some of us had Cabin biscuits on a tray, others got a big mold of rice). Now you can check Facebook and see those pictures from way back or just keep going through the album. And then now; what do you see?
Maybe you thought about your parents, how you used to know them and how they are now. Beautiful white hair, energetic strides now slower paced, that man or woman that used to shout now so lenient and loving because “dem no get strength for wahala.”
Think of it now, that face you used to fear or just love has become softer with eyes showing more love and calm than you remember.
Some people seem to retain the features, energy and physical presence associated with their younger years, while others appear to change dramatically within the same period.
It is particularly noticeable when two people are almost the same age.
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Take the actor and minister for example, photographs of the two men across different stages of their lives can make people wonder how individuals born in the same year can appear to have aged so differently.
But here comes an important distinction. Looking older or younger does not necessarily mean someone is healthier or biologically older.
Facial appearance can be influenced by genetics, weight, grooming, facial hair, lighting, photography, illness, medication and several other factors.
Living in Naija sef is enough to accelerate one’s aging process by a thousand and one percent (na joke o, or is it?).
Still, the comparison opens the door to a much bigger question: What actually determines how well we age?
First, let’s be true to ourselves. Age is not just a number. It comes as a duo, chronological and biological.
Chronological age is straightforward as it is simply the number of years a person has been alive.
Biological ageing on the other hand is much more complicated.
People of the same chronological age can have very different levels of cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, bone health, metabolic health and cognitive function.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says people experience ageing in different ways, with some retaining their physical and mental capacities for much longer than others.
Yet, this variation is partly explained by genetics.
Research suggests that inherited genetic differences contribute to lifespan and aging. Yes, genetics play a role but they are not the only determining factor.
Studies of twins have estimated that about 20 to 30 per cent of the variation in how long people live may be linked to genetic differences, although newer research suggests that estimate could be lower.
That leaves a considerable role for everything else. Permit me to say your genes are not your destiny.
Some people seem to have won the genetic lottery. Like the cliché, “Black don’t crack,” some people seem to have found the spring of youthful looks and kept it a secret.
The Asians seem to have found it, the Arabs seem to have found it, and many other groups appear to have their own share of people who barely seem to age. So perhaps the genetic lottery is really an open secret.
But beyond the jokes and stereotypes, genetics genuinely plays a role in how we age.
Genes influence skin characteristics, body composition, metabolism, susceptibility to certain diseases and how the body responds to environmental stress.
Facial structure also matters. Someone with naturally fuller facial tissues or stronger bone structure may retain a youthful appearance differently from someone whose facial volume decreases more noticeably with age.
However, having favourable genes does not make someone immune to the effects of lifestyle.
Second, what you give your body and how you treat your body matters too.
Smoking, excessive sun exposure, poor nutrition, chronic stress, inadequate sleep, physical inactivity and heavy alcohol consumption can all affect health and contribute to visible or functional signs of ageing.
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In simple terms, genes may influence the starting point, but lifestyle helps shape the journey.
Let me ask, do you know that your face keeps a record of the sun?
One of the biggest contributors to visible skin ageing is something many people encounter every day without thinking about it: sunlight.
Ageing naturally reduces collagen and elastin, making skin thinner and less elastic.
However, ultraviolet (UV) radiation can accelerate this process by damaging skin cells and connective tissue.
The National Institute on Aging identifies the sun as a major contributor to skin ageing, noting that accumulated UV damage can lead to premature ageing, wrinkles and changes in skin texture.
This is one reason two people of the same age can have dramatically different-looking skin.
What many people don’t understand is that sun damage is cumulative. It does not simply disappear because someone starts taking better care of their skin later in life. Like diamond, it stays forever.
Now you understand the fuss and all the ads about sunscreen, and why dermatologists keep shouting about it.
It’s not just about aesthetics or enriching the cosmetic industry; prevention is cheaper and much easier than trying to undo years of accumulated damage.
Smoking is another major factor.
Forget the “liable to die young” warning, literally we are all going to die.
However, tobacco smoke can also damage collagen and elastin, which help maintain the skin’s structure and elasticity.
Not only that, smoking reduces blood flow and deprives skin tissue of oxygen and nutrients.
Research has associated smoking with premature facial ageing, including wrinkles and changes in skin texture.
While a person’s face cannot tell us whether they smoke, smoking itself has well-established effects on the body that go far beyond the skin.
Third, stress does more than make you tired. Chronic stress is another piece of the ageing puzzle.
Everyone experiences stress, but prolonged psychological stress can affect sleep, blood pressure, metabolism, immune function and other biological systems.
Researchers, having investigated the relationship between chronic stress and cellular aging found a link between long-term stress and shorter telomeres, tiny protective parts at the ends of our chromosomes that help protect our cells as they divide.
Still, it would be misleading to look at someone’s face and conclude that stress has aged them.
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What we can say is that long-term stress can affect systems that are important to healthy ageing.
Fourth, the muscle you build today matters tomorrow.
One of the most overlooked aspects of ageing is muscle.
People often associate ageing with wrinkles, grey hair and sagging skin, but the loss of muscle strength and physical function can greatly affect the quality of life.
Naturally, muscle mass declines with age, particularly when people become inactive. This can contribute to weakness, stiff joints that reduces mobility and greater difficulty performing everyday tasks.
That is why strength training is not only about building impressive muscles in your younger years, it can help preserve strength and physical independence as you get older.
WHO recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, alongside muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days.
Surf the net and you’ll see someone’s grandparent who is exceptionally strong, mobile and physically capable.
So, you’re never too old to hit the gym or work out from home. The internet has made it even easier. All you need is data, except, of course, if you subscribe to premium.
There’s a plethora of workout apps and videos, including the fun ones. It could be dancing, yoga, Pilates, easy weightlifting at home or simply walking.
The point is to move.
Fifth, your diet is part of the equation.
Despite what social media might suggest, there is no single food or gummies, injections or pills that can stop aging.
You want to age well? Stick to a long-term healthy eating pattern.
A diet containing vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, healthy fats and adequate protein can provide the nutrients required for maintaining muscle, bones, the immune system and other bodily functions.
WHO recommends limiting excessive consumption of highly processed foods, free sugars, unhealthy fats and salt.
The important word to consider is “consistency”.
One healthy meal does not transform your health, just as one unhealthy meal does not destroy it. What matters is what happens repeatedly over months and years.
Sixth, sleep is free skincare and an underrated part of ageing well.
Adults generally need around seven to nine hours of sleep each night to help the body in physical recovery, immune function and brain health.
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Research has linked consistently poor or inadequate sleep in midlife with poorer cognitive health later in life.
So while skincare products may help someone manage their appearance, consistently sacrificing sleep for work, entertainment or social media may be working against their overall health.
Perhaps the biggest mistake we make when discussing aging is reducing it to appearance.
It is not just about looking young. A person can have wrinkles and be incredibly healthy while another can have youthful-looking skin and be living with serious health problems.
Aging well is ultimately maintaining the ability to do the things that matter to you.
That includes staying happy, walking comfortably, lifting objects, maintaining balance, thinking clearly, managing stress, sleeping well and enjoying meaningful relationships.
As people grow older, social connection matters. Loneliness and social isolation deeply affects physical and mental health and could lead to depression which in turn slowly kills the body.
So, how can you age better?
There is no guaranteed formula or fountain of youth anywhere, because ageing is influenced by factors we cannot completely control.
But here are several habits that can improve the odds.
1. Move your body regularly through exercises and activities that support balance and mobility.
2. Eat for the long term by building your meals around vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, healthy fats and adequate protein while keeping highly processed foods, excess sugar, salt and unhealthy fats in check.
3. Buy that sunscreen and protect your skin from excessive UV exposure. Wear protective clothes too, and I’ll recommend UVA/UVB sunglasses. They are not only protective; you’ll look cool too.
4. Do not smoke. Smoking affects virtually every organ in the body and accelerates several processes associated with disease and premature ageing.
5. Prioritize consistent and good-quality sleep. Rest is not something to sacrifice whenever life gets busy.
6. Manage stress and find ways to relax, connect with people and create boundaries around work and other sources of prolonged pressure.
7. Keep your mind active and maintain a healthy weight and muscle mass.
8. Get regular medical checks. Prevention and early detection can make a significant difference, especially as people get older.
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Above all and as a plus, don’t forget intimacy and “sexmatics”
Don’t roll your eyes, sex deserves a mention too. A healthy sex life can be part of overall wellbeing, particularly when it comes with intimacy, affection, and a satisfying relationship where your bodies know each other’s soft spots and respond as one.
Sexual activity and orgasms may also help with stress, mood and sleep. Now you know exactly why you fall asleep after a good “body-to-body”.
But before you search for Kama sutra, let’s be clear rhat there is no magic number of sexual encounters that will keep you looking 30.
Think of it as one more fun activity that can contribute to a healthy, fulfilling life rather than a fountain of youth.
Ultimately, the contrast people may notice between Emeka Ike and Nyesom Wike is not proof that one man has aged better or worse than the other.
Instead, it offers an interesting glimpse into one of biology’s great mysteries.
We all grow older, but we do not all age in exactly the same way.
The goal, therefore, should not simply be to look younger than your age, it should be to grow older enjoying life with your health, strength, independence and quality intact.
