A septuagenarian marathon runner has shared the diet and supplements that keep her on her feet.
Jeannie Rice, a veteran of the Boston, Tokyo and London marathons, holds records for distance running and her astounding physical capacity.
According to research published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, at 77 years old, Rice holds the highest VO2 max ever recorded for a woman over 75.
VO2 max, short for maximal oxygen consumption, is a key indicator of cardiovascular fitness and measures how much oxygen the body can access during intense exercise.
Rice’s record-making VO2max is equivalent to that of a 25-year-old woman.
How does she fuel her beyond-belief body? With salads, fresh vegetables, rice, fish, and nuts.
“Breakfast is usually oatmeal with fruit and nuts. At lunch and dinner, I enjoy a green salad with some sort of seafood or fish on top,” Rice told Outside Online.
While she has no taste for sweets, Rice admits to indulging in high-fat, albeit nutrient-dense foods like cheese and nuts. “That’s my big downfall — cheese and nuts.”
However, that ‘downfall’ is by no means slowing her down.
Rice runs 50 miles a week, a number that ticks to 75 when she’s preparing for a marathon. Rice allows herself one rest day per week and balances her cardio output with strength training and leisurely golf games.
“I go to the gym three times a week for a light strength workout, some pushups, and some stretching. But it’s not a serious session at all. I also golf for fun; I really enjoy golfing.”
A study, recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that resistance training, such as weight training, strengthens muscles throughout the body and the brain.
These types of exercises lower the risk for a wide range of medical disorders, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, by improving the brain’s ability to access and process glucose.
“Mostly, I just train the way I feel. I’m still running strong and beating records, so I must be doing something right,” she said.
Rice’s incredible capacity is evidence of what the body can achieve at any age.
“She exemplifies how consistent training, and perhaps favorable genetics, can partly defy conventional aging processes,” said Bas Van Hooren, assistant professor of nutrition and movement sciences at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, and one of the specialists who examined Rice’s lifestyle for the Journal of Applied Physiology.
While biohacker Bryan Johonson swears by a regimen of 91 supplements, Rice takes only four.
“The only supplements I take are calcium with vitamin D, B-12, and magnesium,” she said.
Vitamin D is known as “calciferol” because it helps the gut utilize calcium; muscles need vitamin D to move, and nerves need it to carry messages between the brain and body systems.
Meanwhile, B-12 aids in red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, nerve function, and the production of DNA.
Magnesium is key for nerve and muscle function, blood sugar regulation, a healthy immune system, and a steady heartbeat. Research has shown that a higher magnesium intake can mean healthier bones, notably for postmenopausal and elderly women at risk of osteoporosis.
By prioritizing training and nutrition, Rice feels as good as she looks, and she plans to keep pushing herself well into her next decade.
“I feel as young as when I was 50,” she told Surrey Live. “I’d like to be doing this well into my 80s — that’s my personal goal.”
