PRACTISING THESE 8 HABITS CAN INCREASE YOUR LIFESPAN, SAYS STUDY
Adopting a healthy lifestyle is not a guarantee of a longer life, but it can significantly improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of many preventable diseases. (Source: Pixabay)
A new study has hypothesised that changing these eight habits in your life can add up to 24 years to your lifespan.
As per a study presented at the American Society for Nutrition's annual meeting on Monday, adopting some healthy habits by middle age can go a long way towards building a healthy future.
More than 700,000 US veterans were studied by researchers to understand how their life expectancy shifted based on the number of healthy habits they adopted.
On average, it was found that embracing these lifestyle changes increased the males' lifespans by 24 years and females' by 21.
“We were really surprised by just how much could be gained with the adoption of one, two, three, or all eight lifestyle factors,” Xuan-Mai T. Nguyen, health science specialist at the Department of Veterans Affairs and rising fourth-year medical student at Carle Illinois College of Medicine, said in a news release.
The habits include:
- Being physically active
- Being free from opioid addiction
- Not smoking
- Managing stress
- Having a good diet
- Not regularly binge drinking
- Having good sleep hygiene
- Having positive social relationships
Researchers found that the common factors which were contributing to a shorter lifespan were low exercise, usage of opioids, and smoking. It was noted that these factors were associated with an average of 30 per cent to 45 per cent hike in the risk of death, during the study period.
The increased lifespan observed when adopting healthier habits can be attributed to several factors. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
According to Shuchin Bajaj, Founder Director, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, lifestyle changes can indeed have a significant impact on one's lifespan and overall health but the extent to which these lifestyle changes can increase lifespan may vary from person to person.
"Genetics, individual health status, and other factors play a role in determining the exact impact of these habits on longevity," he said. While Bajaj noted that making positive changes at any point in life can be beneficial, it is generally recommended to adopt healthy habits as early as possible since preventive measures are more effective than trying to reverse the damage caused by unhealthy behaviours later in life.
Common lifestyle factors that can contribute to longevity include maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and staying socially connected.
In his perspective, the increased lifespan observed when adopting healthier habits can be attributed to several factors, which are as follows.
a. Reduced risk of chronic diseases: A healthy lifestyle can decrease the likelihood of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers. By preventing or managing these diseases, the risk of premature death is lowered.
b. Improved cardiovascular health: Engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking can improve heart health, reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events.
c. Enhanced immune function: A healthy lifestyle can bolster the immune system, making the body better equipped to defend against infections and illnesses.
d. Weight management: Healthy habits help in managing body weight, which is crucial for reducing the risk of obesity-related conditions and promoting overall well-being.
e. Reduced inflammation: Certain lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, can help in reducing chronic inflammation, which is associated with many diseases.
f. Lowered oxidative stress: A healthy lifestyle can mitigate oxidative stress, a process that damages cells and contributes to aging and disease development.
g. Mental health benefits: Good lifestyle choices can positively impact mental health, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, which can, in turn, affect physical health and longevity.
Bajaj urged us to remember that adopting a healthy lifestyle is not a guarantee of a longer life, but it can significantly improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of many preventable diseases.
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2023-08-12T04:49:34Z dg43tfdfdgfd