According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the average American will live to the age of 78.5 years. But what do you do if you want to live another 20 years on top of that and see in the century marker? There are the obvious lifestyle changes, such as avoiding smoking and exercising regularly, but are they enough to boost your life expectancy? A good diet that’s low in fats can only do so much, so follow these guidelines for a healthy and long life.
Floss more
Periodental disease has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and systemic inflammation, so flossing your teeth could help to strengthen your defence. It’s not yet been clinically proven, but there have been studies which suggest that good dental hygiene could help to keep your heart healthy. In fact, research shows that people with gum disease are twice as likely to have heart disease – this is because inflammation in the gums can lead to your arteries building up plaque.
Eat spicy foods
Turmeric contains curcuminoids that are active compounds used for centuries as healing agents in Eastern medicine. There have been several studies that show curcumin’s can help to protect the body from cancer, inflammation and liver complaints. Eating spicy foods such as Indian food, which often contains turmeric, could help to keep your body healthy and improve your defences.
Take an aspirin
If you suffer from heart problems, have previously suffered from a heart attack or had a stroke, taking an aspirin could extend your life. The consumption of aspirin in this way has been up against a lot of controversy over the years, but one study recently published in The Lancet suggests that taking one aspirin every day could significantly lower your risk of premature death from cancer. In fact, participants who had taken as aspirin each day for five years had a 40 percent lower chance of developing cancer compared to those who didn’t take anything. Speak to your GP before actioning this, however, as there can be a risk of gastro=-intestinal bleeding in some people.
Eat more omega-9 fatty acids
Everyone knows the benefits of eating more omega oils, but omega-3s usually get the front page slot. Omega-9 fatty acids shouldn’t be forgotten, though, as these are great for extending your life. They help to protect against the risk of stroke in older people and reduce inflammation in the brain, promoting a better function of the nerves.
Eat more dark chocolate
Dark chocolate has long been seen as the healthier choice when it comes to the sweet stuff, but many people don’t realise that it can actually do you good as well. Dark chocolate has been proven to lower your blood pressure and can help to protect against cardiovascular problems in people with metabolic syndrome.
Check your hormones
Hormones play an important role in your health, so check that your levels are accurate. People over the age of 40 who want to remain energetic and lively will require a balanced hormone production – they are chemical messengers that are vital for our health. It’s natural for our hormone levels to drop as we age, with the prime age for production being between 25 and 30. After this, they begin to decline and do so rapidly the older we get. There are supplements and treatments available to keep them topped up though, so speak to your GP if this is something you’re concerned about.