Happy Older Americans Month celebration. We just celebrated my mother’s 106th birthday so I am making her queen of the celebration. She will attribute her long life to having good people around her, but experts give credit to:
- Diet. Eat plenty of fresh, non-processed foods, drink 64 ounces of water every day, and limit caffeine and alcohol intake. (Actually, coffee does have some health benefits in moderation)
- Exercise.
- Sleep.
- Socialization.
- Having a primary care physician.
A team of UK researchers, as reported by CNN Health, found that a very healthy lifestyle is associated with up to 6.3 years longer life for men and 7.6 years for women, regardless of the presence of multiple chronic conditions, compared with those given the lowest lifestyle score.
In the U.S., chronic disease may become an issue for most in their 40’s (the age is getting younger and younger unfortunately) but poor health can be delayed until the last few years of life generally with a healthy lifestyle.
My mother has been relatively problem free up to her 90’s, but would anyone want to live from age 40 to 106 with diminished, health?
Metagenics First Line Therapy suggests that 50% of disease can be prevented with lifestyle, but the Harvard School of Public Health takes it even further by stating that, “The good news is that type 2 diabetes (as well as pre-diabetes) are largely preventable. About 9 in 10 cases in the U.S. can be avoided by healthy lifestyle practices, including controlling your weight, following a healthy diet, staying active, and not smoking.”
There is great power in adopting healthy lifestyle practices, so start planning how you’ll celebrate your 106th birthday!!