| Since today is National Walking Day, today’s newsletter focuses on small, but significant, changes that can improve your health- like walking! Time Magazine recently did an in-depth review of aging and longevity, citing many studies with some surprising results. In summary, a little bit goes a long way. Here are some of Time‘s findings on how you can improve aging, disease and general health.
It’s common knowledge that cutting calories is good for your waistline, but one study, published last year, shed light on another benefit. Participants’ calories were cut by one-fourth, which brought a huge health change: blood pressure and cholesterol were slightly better, and their risk of heart disease decreased by 47% (almost half!).
Another diet study that cut calories, from as little as one-third to over one-half of participants’ normal diets, found that their risks were lowered in areas of “aging, diabetes, heart disease and cancer, including lower blood sugar,” and lower levels of a growth hormone that speeds aging.
Walking isn’t the only activity that can lead to a healthier future- simply doing chores around the house is a way to stay active. One study tracked over a thousand seniors in their 70s and 80s who had limitations on their physical activity. The results? Those who exercised the least had the greatest chance of a heart event within the next decade. But even small activities, like household chores, lowered the risk.
A different study involved 1,600 seniors between ages 70-89. One group took a health education course and one group did activities like walking. After three years, the walking group could walk over an hour and a half more per week than the other group. Their rates for major mobile disabilities were “significantly less.”
Thinking positive makes a big difference. Results of a study showed that men and women who had negative attitudes toward aging in their 40s, had greater brain loss in the region associated with Alzheimer’s. They had the same level of brain loss in three years than those with positive outlooks had in nine years.
Other studies have found that those with negative views on aging have a greater risk of heart problems in the next 40 years than those with positive views. People with “mindful dispositions” have less body fat and better heart health, according to a study by Brown University. |
