Eight simple habits can extend your life by six years and slow down the aging process, scientists say.
About it tells publication of CNN Greece, presenting the opinion of American experts. They concluded that the following habits slowed down aging, sometimes by more than six years:
- regular weight control;
- checking blood sugar levels;
- cholesterol and blood pressure control;
- healthy sleep;
- proper nutrition;
- to give up smoking;
- regular physical activity.
A study by American scientists shows that following these simple measures promotes good heart health, and this, in turn, can slow down the rate of biological aging.
The study was conducted on data from more than 6,500 adults, whose average age was 47 years. The results will be presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions Conference in Philadelphia.
The researchers said that people without cardiovascular problems were about six years biologically younger (the rate at which they age each year of life) than their actual age. The head of the Life’s Essential 8 writing team, former AHA volunteer president Donald Lloyd-Jones, noted:
“These findings help us understand the relationship between chronological and biological age, and how adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help us live longer. Everyone wants to live longer, but more importantly, we want to live longer and be healthy so we can enjoy and have a good quality of life for as long as possible.”
Life’s Essential 8 aims to measure heart health based on four modifiable lifestyle indicators and four modifiable health indicators. To measure a person’s phenotypic, or biological age, the researchers tested their metabolism, organ function, and inflammation. Phenotypic aging acceleration is the difference between a person’s biological age and their actual age, with higher values indicating faster biological aging.
After controlling for social, economic and demographic factors, the researchers said a higher Life’s Essential 8 score, which signifies good cardiovascular health, was associated with a biological age of about six years younger. The American Heart Association has identified eight health indicators listed above: eat healthy and don’t smoke, stay active and get enough sleep, maintain a healthy weight, control your cholesterol and blood sugar, and monitor your blood pressure.
And a little more about what habits you should give up to look younger…
… and how to overcome yourself in order to change something in your life:
More Stories
Where will Greeks go for Easter: the best domestic and foreign destinations
Fine 1200 euros for the bad habit of Greeks at Easter, who is at risk
UK: human trial of melanoma vaccine started