At last, the seven secrets of eternal youth!

There are it seems seven different factors which we should be concentrating on in our search for eternal youth and they have nothing to do with plastic surgery and crazy diets!

In order keep those marbles in later life, Ian Robertson, a neuroscientist from Trinity College, Dublin, says exercise, diet, lifestyle and intellectual outlook will counteract the decline in mental capacity that accompanies ageing.

Robertson says there is strong evidence that the degree to which mental faculties are maintained, depends on a number of simple environmental and behavioural factors.

He has identified seven factors - aerobic fitness, a stimulating job, a good education and willingness to keep learning, a minimum of stress, friends and a good social life, a diet rich in oily fish, fruit and vegetables, and the ability to think young.

Dr Robertson says that it is known that optimists live longer than pessimists, and that optimism and mood has effects on the immune system which is tied in with brain function.

If a person thinks they are old at the age of 60 then they will behave as old, says Dr Robertson.