NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (Ivanhoe Newswire) – The average life expectancy for someone born in the United States today is 79 years. A century ago, that age was closer to 54. We know a lot about what will help you live to 70, 80, 90 or even 100 years: don’t smoke, drink alcohol in moderation, eat a healthy diet, exercise. Such advice always seems too broad. But there are five very specific, science-backed steps you can take today that will add a decade or more to your life.
Climbing at least 50 flights of stairs each day could reduce your risk of heart disease by 20 percent, according to a new study from Tulane University.
“You don’t have to go to the gym; you can do it every day,” says Lu Qi, M.D., director of the Obesity Research Center at Tulane University.
When it comes to diet, a study that analyzed nearly half a million people found that people who switched from soda and processed meat to whole grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and fish added an average of 10 years to their life expectancy.
Go easy on the salt: For the first time, salt intake has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
“Adding salt to food is a behavioral variable, an eating behavior,” Dr. Chee said.
Researchers believe that salt encourages people to eat more, increasing the risk of obesity and inflammation.
Also, find ways to manage stress, which reduces your risk of premature death by 22 percent. Other ways to deal with stress are to maintain a daily routine, limit screen time, and stay in touch with others. And get a good night’s sleep. The key word is “good night.” And that means seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep.
How much do genes influence lifespan? According to the New England Centenarian Study, genes account for less than one-third of your chances of living to age 85. Lifestyle choices determine the rest.
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