How to Live Longer and Feel Better According to Linus Pauling

Nobel laureate Linus Pauling reveals vitamin C secrets and simple lifestyle choices that could extend your life by decades.

What if living a longer life and feeling better every day could be achieved through simple choices about what we eat? This idea was at the heart of Linus Pauling’s groundbreaking 1986 book, “How to Live Longer and Feel Better.“

As a two-time Nobel Prize winner, Pauling brought a strong scientific background to his ideas about health, which were sometimes seen as controversial.

While traditional medicine usually focuses on treating diseases, Pauling suggested a different approach: preventing illness by eating the right foods and using supplements wisely.

He challenged the medical community by claiming that taking the right vitamins – especially large amounts of vitamin C – could significantly boost our health and help us live longer.

If you’re looking for science-based options that differ from standard health advice, you might find Pauling’s ideas fascinating. His research opens up new possibilities for achieving better health and reducing reliance on conventional medical treatments.

Who was Linus Pauling?

Linus Pauling was a remarkable scientist known for his wide-ranging contributions to the field of chemistry. Born in 1901, he received his PhD in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and made significant advancements in our understanding of how atoms bond and how molecules are structured.

Many people may not realize it, but Pauling’s groundbreaking discoveries have had a lasting impact on our lives. He was instrumental in uncovering the structure of the alpha helix, a key part of proteins, and he played a crucial role in identifying sickle-cell anemia as a genetic condition caused by changes at the molecular level. His extraordinary work in the study of biological molecules earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954.

In his later years, Pauling developed a keen interest in health and nutrition, particularly in the benefits of high-dose vitamin C. His dedication to peace and activism against nuclear weapons garnered him a second Nobel Prize in 1962, this time for Peace.

He also established the Linus Pauling Institute, an organization focused on research into nutrition and health. Through his lifelong work, Pauling left a profound legacy that continues to influence science today.

How to live longer and feel better – according to Linus Pauling

Take Optimal Daily Vitamin Supplements

While most nutritional guidelines focus on preventing diseases caused by vitamin deficiencies, Dr. Pauling believes there’s an “ideal intake” of vitamins that goes far beyond just meeting the minimum requirements. He suggests that daily supplementation is important because our modern diets often lack the nutrients needed for optimal health and longevity.

Dr. Pauling’s advice is supported by various research studies and his own experiences. He points out that vitamins are essential nutrients that our bodies need to function properly, not just quick fixes for health issues. By taking the right vitamins, you could potentially add 25 to 35 years to your life and improve your overall well-being, especially if you start early.

However, even if you start taking supplements later in life, you can still experience substantial benefits, possibly adding 15 to 20 years of healthier living.

It’s important to understand that vitamin intake isn’t only about avoiding diseases like scurvy or rickets, but also about creating a healthy nutritional environment that can slow down the aging process and lower the risk of illness.

High Doses of Vitamin C

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Three important discoveries form the basis of Dr. Pauling’s support for high doses of vitamin C. First, he found that taking much larger amounts than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) can significantly lower the chances of getting colds and reduce their severity if taken regularly.

Second, timing is essential—when you first notice symptoms of a cold, it’s important to start taking vitamin C right away to possibly prevent it from getting worse.

Dr. Pauling’s own experiences with this method led to better health and fewer instances of illness. He also investigated the effects of vitamin C on more serious illnesses, working with Dr. Cameron to conduct research that suggested high doses of vitamin C could be helpful for cancer patients.

Although his ideas were debated during his time, Pauling believed that everyone’s body is different, which means some people may need much more vitamin C than what’s typically recommended.

This perspective emphasizes a personalized approach to health, focusing not just on avoiding vitamin C deficiency but on achieving overall well-being.

Follow a Sustainable and Pleasant Health Regimen

Dr. Pauling highlights the importance of maintaining health practices that you can stick with over time. He believes that a wellness routine should be enjoyable, allowing you to continue it day after day, year after year, rather than feeling like a chore that takes away from your quality of life.

His practical approach shows that even the best health methods are useless if you don’t follow through with them.

Instead of pushing for drastic or uncomfortable lifestyle changes, he emphasizes sustainable habits that you can willingly maintain for many years. This realistic viewpoint recognizes that true health benefits come from a consistent and long-term commitment to practices that enhance your life instead of limiting it.

Avoid Smoking Cigarettes

One of Dr. Pauling’s strongest recommendations was to completely avoid cigarettes. This Nobel Prize-winning scientist understood that tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, many of which can harm your health by damaging DNA, affecting lung function, and speeding up the aging process of your cells.

When you quit smoking, you’ll notice immediate benefits. Just 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your heart rate returns to normal, and within 12 hours, the levels of carbon monoxide in your blood drop significantly.

According to the American Cancer Society, people who stop smoking can potentially add up to 10 years to their life compared to those who continue to smoke.

Although nicotine is very addictive, Dr. Pauling suggested taking vitamin C to help manage cravings and reduce the oxidative stress that comes from smoking.

Avoid Stress and Cultivate Happiness in Work and Family Life

While eating well and avoiding harmful substances are important for a long life, Dr. Pauling also believed that emotional health is just as important. He warned against letting stress take over your life, explaining that constant tension can weaken even the best habits for staying healthy.

Dr. Pauling stressed the importance of finding true happiness in both your job and your family life. This well-rounded view recognizes that your mental state affects your physical health.

Although he didn’t provide specific ways to manage stress, his ideas suggest that having meaningful work and strong personal relationships can help protect you from life’s challenges.

Balance Calorie Intake with an Appealing Diet

A significant part of Dr. Pauling’s approach to living longer is about practicing mindful eating. You don’t have to stick to strict diets to stay at a healthy weight. What matters more is being aware of how much food you consume compared to your body size, shape, and how active you are.

The key is to strike a balance between controlling calories and enjoying your meals. Your food shouldn’t only be good for you but also taste great. When you savor your meals in appropriate portions, you’re more likely to maintain this healthy eating habit over time.

This method emphasizes finding a sustainable way to eat rather than feeling deprived. Instead of worrying about certain types of food, focus on the overall balance of energy in your diet.

Be Cautious with Drugs

Dr. Pauling warns us to be careful when taking any kind of medicine, whether it’s a prescription from a doctor or something you can buy over-the-counter. He highlights that these drugs can have serious risks.

Before you take any medication, it’s very important to understand why it’s being recommended to you, including what benefits it may offer and what side effects might occur.

Pauling encourages people to work closely with their doctors rather than just following instructions without question (so, question everything). It’s important to make informed choices by using both professional medical advice and your own understanding of what you’re putting into your body.

This careful approach to taking medicines is different from how he views vitamins, which he believes are much safer.

To make his point clear, Pauling talks about a certain popular drug that he called “Drug X,” in his book, which has many side effects – most people don’t even realize. He explains that even medications commonly prescribed for issues like arthritis can come with significant risks.

Related: Best Supplements for Osteoarthritis

Evaluate Health Claims and Seek Facts on Vitamins & Nutrients

In today’s world, which is filled with information, Linus Pauling advises readers to be careful about believing health claims, especially those related to vitamins and nutrients. He cautions against accepting popular health advice without checking its scientific basis, pointing out that even new nutrition books might’ve misleading information.

Pauling practices what he preaches by relying on published clinical trials and scientific studies for his own health recommendations. He encourages you to do the same—look beyond catchy headlines and personal stories to truly understand the evidence behind health claims.

When you think about taking supplements or changing your diet, it’s important to seek reliable information instead of just following trends.

Engage in Regular, Moderate Physical Exercise

While many fitness fans promote intense workouts, Linus Pauling highlights the significance of regular, moderate exercise for living a longer, healthier life. His method doesn’t involve pricey gym memberships or tough training schedules.

Instead, Pauling suggests adding simple activities like walking, jogging, biking, or swimming into your daily routine. These forms of exercise offer significant health benefits without the danger of pushing yourself too hard or getting injured, which can happen with extreme workouts.

Pauling’s straightforward view on exercise matches his overall philosophy on health—creating sustainable habits that help your body function well.

Feel free to check our walking calories burn calculator to see how many calories you can lose simply by walking.

Maintain Optimum Vitamin Intake

In addition to regular exercise, Linus Pauling’s views on living a longer, healthier life highlight the importance of getting the right vitamins to help prevent diseases. Pauling believed that when you take in the right amounts of essential vitamins, you can boost your body’s natural defenses against various health issues.

Research by Pauling shows that vitamins play a vital role in important processes within the body that enhance your ability to resist illnesses caused by a lack of vitamins, as well as infections, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.

These essential nutrients help keep your immune system strong, protect your body’s tissues, and maintain a balance in your bodily functions.

It’s important to understand that taking vitamins isn’t just about avoiding deficiency; it’s about creating an environment in your body where diseases find it hard to develop.

Good Nutrition Supports Health and Longevity

Good nutrition is the cornerstone of a longer and healthier life, as highlighted by the research of Linus Pauling on longevity. His studies show that getting the right vitamins through supplements can significantly boost your body’s natural defenses and help manage illnesses.

Pauling introduces the interesting idea of “dying healthy.” This means living a life filled with well-being and fewer serious health problems right up until the end. It’s not just about living longer; it’s about improving the quality of those years by making smart nutritional choices.

Even as we age, proper nutrition is vital. For older adults, ensuring they get enough nutrients can lead to a more comfortable final chapter of life.

Strictly Avoid Sugar (Sucrose)

Good nutrition is key to living a long and healthy life, but it’s equally important to avoid harmful substances. One of the most concerning substances is sugar, which Linus Pauling warns can be particularly harmful to your well-being.

Pauling doesn’t hold back when discussing the negative effects of sugar. He compares its damage to that of smoking cigarettes. He directly connects high sugar intake to serious health issues like cancer and heart disease – conditions that most people want to avoid in order to live a longer, healthier life.

While some nutritional advice suggests enjoying sugar in moderation, Pauling’s view is clear: it’s best to cut sugar out of your diet completely or limit it as much as possible.

He presents this not as a mere suggestion but as a crucial step for anyone who’s serious about improving their health and extending their lifespan.

Bottom Line

Linus Pauling’s views on nutrition and supplements offer a detailed approach to healthy living that has both sparked new ideas in science and stirred debate in the health community. His strong support for taking high doses of vitamin C faced a lot of criticism from traditional medicine during his lifetime, but it laid important groundwork for today’s research on nutrition.

Although not all of Pauling’s suggestions have been widely accepted by scientists, his work continues to motivate studies on how vitamins and nutrients can help prevent illness and improve overall health.

As a scientist who won a Nobel Prize and a health advocate, Pauling’s insights carry significant influence.

If you want to learn more about Pauling’s complete approach to wellness, you can find his book “How to Live Longer and Feel Better” available for purchase on Amazon, on Oregon State University Press, or you can download it for free from Internet Archive.

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