Six Steps to Live Longer

You might think that physicians and scientists are still debating whether your genes or your lifestyle determine how long you live. The truth is that this question – is it nature or nurture? – has been settled. 

The data, mostly from twins (identical twins die slightly more at the same age than do fraternal twins) separated at birth, tells us that both factors are important.  If your parents and grandparents lived long, so will you. That is part of your inheritance.  Your genes are an essential factor to your longevity or lack of it.  Some of us are passed the baton of desired genes to run on the track of life; others, are denied that honor and have more modest genes. 

But if this were the only factor, we would all want our DNA code edited.  Your inherited genes don’t tell the whole story.   Unlike height, eye color or other physical traits, when it comes to our longevity, genes play an important but relatively minor role. Only about a quarter of the variance in an adult’s human lifespan is accounted for by genetic differences.

Why should America, when longevity is assessed globally, rank 43rd among all the nations? The two leading causes for death in the U.S. continue to be cancer and heart disease.  They each kill 1 in 4 Americans.  It is up to you to help reduce that statistic.  The risk of both can be dramatically diminished, but only if you apply yourself.

Despite our genetic inheritance, we can increase the amount of time on this planet, if we follow specific rules. If followed, these guidelines have been shown to increase our lifespan by at least ten years, regardless of gender. Not only can we live longer, but we can live healthier when we abide by these principles.  They are important to implement - if you enjoy life - especially after you reach 50 years of age, but they are applicable at any age, even those in the 70’s or 80’s. They may not help to achieve immortality (few of us wish for that), just live a long healthy life.

These are the six healthy habits – all are behavioral issues - that we can choose for a longer more productive life.  

•Eat a healthy diet.
•Exercise regularly.
Enjoy at least 30 minutes a day of moderate or vigorous activity, that would include taking a brisk daily walk (a pet dog might help).
•Maintain a healthy body weight.
Controlling your body-max index (BMI), based on weight and height, is vital for reducing your cardiovascular and metabolic risk.  Obesity is not only ugly, it is unhealthy.
•Never smoke.
Not even one cigarette. As far as health risks are concerned, this is the least debated risk factor.  Smoking not only invites cancer, but also contributes to lung and heart disease, and to diabetes.
•Rarely, if at all, consume alcohol.
•Develop a strong, secure social network.

At this time, only 8% of adults are adhering to these protocols.  Are you one of them?  Why not join this growing trend?