Secrets to Longevity and a Healthy Life
A long life is a healthy and happy life. Secrets of longevity have been long sought by scientists fascinated by stories dating back to the philosophers of ancient Greece and to characters of biblical times. Jeanne Calment, a Frenchwoman who passed away in 1997, is the longest lived person at 122 years of age. With these as inspiration, scientists and health professionals are in the search for the answer to longer human lifespan and perhaps the key to the fountain of youth.
Canada, among the world’s richest countries, has the longest life expectancy today at 80 years. Canadians have access to excellent healthcare, hygiene, diet and lifestyle. But more factors influence the life expectancy of an individual. The people of Okinawa in Japan practice a tradition of taking in a quantity of food just enough for their bodies. Called the Hara Hachi Bu, this custom of eating just right has made Okinawans live longer than any other populace.
In Denmark, Danish who have higher levels of education lived longer. Men who spent more years studying had longer life expectancy at 2.7 years, while women were at 2.2 years. Although these numbers are well calculated, women still outlive men by about 5 years. Studies made in the Netherlands may have found a link, the female menstruation. It gives out a hormone that benefits the heart. During menstruation and pregnancy, the heart pumps more. This is found to be similar to exercising which is good for the heart, both male and female.
Though women can reach the age of 90, this is also possible to men. Lifestyle checks help to achieve this. In a study, researchers conclude that men should watch their ideal weight, quit or don’t smoke at all, maintain normal blood pressures, no instance of diabetes, and exercise and related activities are necessary for longer life. Normal blood pressure adds 4 years, ideal weight adds 1 to 3 years, not smoking adds 14 years, low cholesterol adds 4 years, and regular exercise about 1 to 3 years.
Winning and achieving success may also be vital to a long and happy life. A study found out that Nobel Prize winners lived longer lives by about 1.4 years than the nominees. Given that every single one of them was well-educated and successful individuals already add to the years that they have lived. But you don’t have to shoot for that status. You can achieve longevity through other, easier means. Just keeping a positive attitude adds 7.5 years. Leading an industrious and organized life adds 2 to 4 years.