Surprising Things That Science Thinks Will Make You Live Longer
2013.09.19
Science is clamoring to discover new ways of extending the human life. But if you can't afford to freeze your brain before implanting it inside a cyborg, there are some other activities you can do right now to live longer:
Being rich
A study claims that wealthier people have higher levels of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). This steroid is produced by the adrenal glands and brain that has been linked to a broad range of health benefits, including improved memory, a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and increased longevity, especially among men.
Hanging out with lots of women
Men who are raised in an environment with few women die sooner than those who grow up around many females. A high female-to-male ratio increases the likelihood that men will find lifelong partners and get married, also shown to improve lifespan.
Getting married
An analysis of 90 studies involving 500 million people found that married men lived on average 10 years longer than non-married men, while married women lived four years longer than non-married women. The theory is that singles don't have the same social support as married couples.
Having healthy grandparents
A study involving rats found that the granddaughters of pregnant rats that were fed high-fat food had a 30% greater chance of developing breast cancer, even if the younger generation ate a healthy diet.
Drinking red wine
Resveratrol, a compound found in the skin of red grapes, has been shown to protect the body against aging as well as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and strokes.
Having more sex
A 10-year study involving 1,000 middle-aged men found that males with a high frequency of orgasm lived twice as long as those who did not experience pleasure.
Flossing daily
In addition to keeping your teeth from rotting out of your mouth, regularly flossing reduces the the risk of heart disease by preventing gum disease which can lead to infections and inflammation, causing harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream and increase the risk of heart disease.
Singing
Singing reduces stress by producing endorphins and offers physical benefits by exercising the heart, lungs, abdominal, and back muscles. One study involving choir group singers found that they felt physically healthier, had fewer doctor's visits, and were less depressed than a control group.
Getting angry
Holding in aggression can lead to unwanted stress which can lead to heart problems. One study found that males who vent their anger are 50% less likely to experience a heart attack or die from serious heart disease.
Gaining (a bit of) weight
Sorry skinny people, but a 12-year study involving 11,326 adults found that those who carried extra weight were 17% less likely to die than people of normal weight.
Doing housework
After studying more than 200,000 women over six years, researchers found that moderate exercise from housework prevented cancer more than other forms of rigorous physical activity. Spending just up to 17 hours a week doing household chores such as mopping, cooking, and doing the laundry was found to reduce the risk of breast cancer by as much as 30%.
Owning a cat
Cats owners probably already know this, but these felines are great for alleviating stress and anxiety, thereby potentially reducing the risk of heart attack in humans by 30%. Even their purr can produce vibrations at frequencies that have been known to help with pain relief, bone and muscle growth, and wound healing.
Eating like a European
Known as the Mediterranean Diet, healthy ingredients include things like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean proteins, and uses olive oil instead butter. One study found that people aged 55 to 80 decreased their risk of heart disease and stroke by nearly 30% when they ate this diet.
Living in a city
According to Gary Small, a professor on aging and director of the UCLA Longevity Center, moving to an urban area becomes more important as you get older because there are more doctors, there is more mental stimulation, and there's greater social support.
Taking vitamin D supplements
Vitamin D is created naturally through exposure to sunlight and certain foods, like milk. A review of previous studies found that older adults who took vitamin D and calcium supplements together were 9% less likely to die than those who did not take any supplements. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium, and helps keep bones strong by enabling them to harden.
Living on a Greek island
The Greek island of Icaria in the North Aegean Sea is home to the largest percentage of 90-year-olds in the world (one-third of the population). The islanders' unusually long life might have to do with the natural mountainous terrain which requires daily physical activity, and healthy diets high in olive oil and herbal teas.
Start jogging
According to one study, jogging for two-and-half hours a week, spread out over two to three sessions, can increase the life expectancy of men by 6.2 years and women by 5.6 years. Other benefits include improved oxygen uptake, higher levels of good cholesterol, lower blood pressure, improved immune function, obesity prevention and improved psychological well-being (by being around people).
Being rich
A study claims that wealthier people have higher levels of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). This steroid is produced by the adrenal glands and brain that has been linked to a broad range of health benefits, including improved memory, a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and increased longevity, especially among men.
Hanging out with lots of women
Men who are raised in an environment with few women die sooner than those who grow up around many females. A high female-to-male ratio increases the likelihood that men will find lifelong partners and get married, also shown to improve lifespan.
Getting married
An analysis of 90 studies involving 500 million people found that married men lived on average 10 years longer than non-married men, while married women lived four years longer than non-married women. The theory is that singles don't have the same social support as married couples.
Having healthy grandparents
A study involving rats found that the granddaughters of pregnant rats that were fed high-fat food had a 30% greater chance of developing breast cancer, even if the younger generation ate a healthy diet.
Drinking red wine
Resveratrol, a compound found in the skin of red grapes, has been shown to protect the body against aging as well as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and strokes.
Having more sex
A 10-year study involving 1,000 middle-aged men found that males with a high frequency of orgasm lived twice as long as those who did not experience pleasure.
Flossing daily
In addition to keeping your teeth from rotting out of your mouth, regularly flossing reduces the the risk of heart disease by preventing gum disease which can lead to infections and inflammation, causing harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream and increase the risk of heart disease.
Singing
Singing reduces stress by producing endorphins and offers physical benefits by exercising the heart, lungs, abdominal, and back muscles. One study involving choir group singers found that they felt physically healthier, had fewer doctor's visits, and were less depressed than a control group.
Getting angry
Holding in aggression can lead to unwanted stress which can lead to heart problems. One study found that males who vent their anger are 50% less likely to experience a heart attack or die from serious heart disease.
Gaining (a bit of) weight
Sorry skinny people, but a 12-year study involving 11,326 adults found that those who carried extra weight were 17% less likely to die than people of normal weight.
Doing housework
After studying more than 200,000 women over six years, researchers found that moderate exercise from housework prevented cancer more than other forms of rigorous physical activity. Spending just up to 17 hours a week doing household chores such as mopping, cooking, and doing the laundry was found to reduce the risk of breast cancer by as much as 30%.
Owning a cat
Cats owners probably already know this, but these felines are great for alleviating stress and anxiety, thereby potentially reducing the risk of heart attack in humans by 30%. Even their purr can produce vibrations at frequencies that have been known to help with pain relief, bone and muscle growth, and wound healing.
Eating like a European
Known as the Mediterranean Diet, healthy ingredients include things like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean proteins, and uses olive oil instead butter. One study found that people aged 55 to 80 decreased their risk of heart disease and stroke by nearly 30% when they ate this diet.
Living in a city
According to Gary Small, a professor on aging and director of the UCLA Longevity Center, moving to an urban area becomes more important as you get older because there are more doctors, there is more mental stimulation, and there's greater social support.
Taking vitamin D supplements
Vitamin D is created naturally through exposure to sunlight and certain foods, like milk. A review of previous studies found that older adults who took vitamin D and calcium supplements together were 9% less likely to die than those who did not take any supplements. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium, and helps keep bones strong by enabling them to harden.
Living on a Greek island
The Greek island of Icaria in the North Aegean Sea is home to the largest percentage of 90-year-olds in the world (one-third of the population). The islanders' unusually long life might have to do with the natural mountainous terrain which requires daily physical activity, and healthy diets high in olive oil and herbal teas.
Start jogging
According to one study, jogging for two-and-half hours a week, spread out over two to three sessions, can increase the life expectancy of men by 6.2 years and women by 5.6 years. Other benefits include improved oxygen uptake, higher levels of good cholesterol, lower blood pressure, improved immune function, obesity prevention and improved psychological well-being (by being around people).
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