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People who live to 100-years-old tend to adopt the same healthy habits, study shows
Research into people who live to be 100 years old reveals helpful clues to living longer, and how a healthy life can improve a persons chances of living longer, no matter how late!
A new study questions whether a healthy lifestyle is associated with a higher likelihood of becoming a centenarian, and the findings prove how a healthy diet and regular exercise are so important at any age. Learn how you can live longer by following expert advice.
Healthy living helps people live to be 100-year-old
A recent study published in the journal JAMA Network Open titled ‘Healthy Lifestyle and the Likelihood of Becoming a Centenarian’ reports that living a healthy lifestyle, even after the age of 80, can help people live to be 100.
Researchers in China evaluated 1,454 centenarians and 3,768 people who died before reaching 100 years old. It reported that the participants with the highest healthy lifestyle scores (based on smoking history, exercise routines, and dietary diversity) had a significantly higher likelihood of living to 100 compared to those with the least healthy lifestyle behaviors.
The case-control study of Chinese older adults shows that adhering to a healthy lifestyle appears to be important even at later ages, suggesting that constructing strategic plans to improve lifestyle behaviors among all older adults may play a key role in promoting healthy aging and longevity.
Expert advice shows its never too late to start living a healthy life, and picking up healthy habits even at an advanced age can have life-prolonging benefits! So, what are some healthy habits you can incorporate into your lifestyle?
According to an article based on achieving a healthy lifestyle among United States adults, key points include not smoking, ensuring adequate fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, and maintaining normal body weight.
Dr. Scott Kaiser, a geriatrician and the director of Geriatric Cognitive Health for the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in California, told Medical News Today about the importance of keeping your body in good shape:
Much like a car youre hoping to keep on the road, if you take care of your body as if youre going to need to for 100 years, youre far more likely to achieve your healthy longevity goals.
Key ingredients to live longer
It’s never too late to take steps towards healthy living. Start by finding a form of exercise you enjoy at any age, take care of your body, prioritize nutrition, and break bad habits like smoking!
Joy Puleo, a balanced body education director at the health site Balanced Body, revealed that the five key ingredients for longevity in life over 80 include getting your blood pumping, strength training, being mindful with practices like yoga and tai chi, working on physical balance, and moving for fun.
Puleo suggested finding enjoyment in exercise because “putting yourself first, setting time to create movement opportunities that you enjoy, is what will train the body, soothe the mind and feed the soul.
Nutrition is important, as Puleo suggests: Eat food, healthy food, and not too much& do this most of the time and you have a recipe to create a healthy platform. Avoid processed foods, sugary foods and eat for your health.”
