Diseases of aging really can be reduced by following a few health tips. Not only that, but following health guidelines can add over ten years to a person’s life.

We all know we shouldn’t smoke or become obese. But cravings for a cigarette can be so strong. And that dessert is so very, very tempting. Perhaps learning about this important study will give extra motivation!

Lifestyle Factors

You can reduce your risk of aging-related diseases by following five simple lifestyle factors. 

• • Never smoke.
  • Maintain healthful weight.
  • Exercise at least moderately for 30 or minutes each day.
  • Drink alcohol (beer, wine, or spirits) in moderation.
  • Eat a healthful diet.

I. The Study: Diseases of Aging

Researchers tested the effects of these lifestyle factors on diseases of aging. But they also tested the effect of these factors on long life.

To do so, they used data from two studies. One was the Nurses’ Health Study. The data used were on the same group of nurses for 34 years. A total of 78,865 nurses were in the study.

The second was the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. The data used were on the same group of health professionals for 28 years.

Participants were similar in education, social, and economic level. This reduces the chance that they could give other give reasons for the findings.

Diseases of Aging

The major diseases of aging are cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. A total of over 42,000 participants died from these and other causes. The researchers compared diseases of aging and longevity with lifestyle factors.

Many participants had some of the positive and some of the negative lifestyle factors. But some (group A) had all five positive lifestyle factors. On the other hand, some (group B) had none. The researchers compared the first group with the second.

Death from CVD was 82% lower among those with all five factors. And death from cancer was 65% lower.

The researchers also looked at death from any and all causes (all-cause death). Those with all five factors had an all-cause death rate 84% lower than the group with none.

Women participants with all five factors lived an average of 14.0 years longer. For men, it was an average of 12.2 longer life.

Hmmmm.  Think I’ll forget dessert and take a brisk 30-minute walk instead.

II. Resources

Web

• • Healthful Habits Including Moderate Drinking Good for Health and Longevity.
  • Risk of Dementia Reduced by Drinking Alcohol in Moderation.
  • Should Older People Drink Less Alcohol or More Alcohol?
  • Drinking and Frailty: Alcohol Reduces Risk of Becoming Frail with Age.
  • Risk of Osteoporosis and Drinking Alcohol: Drinking Reduces Risk.
  • Drinking Alcohol and Falls among Older Adults: Important Facts.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk: Drinking Alcohol Beneficial.
  • Drinking Alcohol Reduces Risk of Enlarged Prostate.
  • Drinking Alcohol and All-cause Mortality Risk.

Popular Books

• • Carr, A. and Groves, R. Stop Smoking Now.
  • Jaminet, P. Perfect Health Diet.
  • Jensen, B. Dr. Jensen’s Nutrition Handbook.
  • Markides, K. Health & Aging.
  • Penner, D. Elder Fit.
  • Pulos, L. Stop Smoking.
  • WHO. Keep Fit for Life.
  • Woteki, C. and Thomas, P. Eat for Life.
  • Wright, V. and Winter, R. Fitness after 40.

Note

• • This site gives no advice. Please see your doctor with questions.