Good genes may help you live longer—but healthy habits definitely help you live longer. Contrary to popular belief, genes play a much smaller role in life expectancy than people believe. There are ways that if adopted early on, can lead to a healthier and longer life. Develop these habits and we are sure your general physician will back us!
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1-Avoid overeating:
A decrease in calorie intake can make cells live longer. Lower calorie intake is linked with longevity and lower risk of disease. Calorie restriction keeps the weight in check and also decreases the belly fat (higher ratio of abdominal fat has increased risk of heart diseases). While it is not best to deprive the body of rightfully needed calories, it is eating with moderation that is best for the body.
2-Don’t retire too early:
Early retirement or stopping to work abruptly can increase the incidence of chronic diseases and obesity. According to the director of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, staying active, even after retirement is the key to a healthy and longer life.
Regions like Italy, with the highest percentage of people past the age of hundred, have people who keep busy even after they retire from their jobs—with tasks like working on farms and cultivating vegetables and grapes.
3-Exercise:
This one habit is the real ‘foundation of youth’ according to the professor of medicine, and aging researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Exercise is the key to having stronger bones, elevated mood, and mental acuity.
Muscle mass and body balance also improve with exercise. It is not necessary to be a gym rat, really, even walking for thirty minutes a day can be sufficient. Resistance training can also keep you healthier and build muscle mass and similarly yoga training is also great for the body.
4-Incorporate fibre rich diet:
A healthy diet will keep the bowels healthy as well. Whole grains, vegetables, fruits and fats that are polyunsaturated are all good for the body, and they also work to maintain the blood sugar levels throughout the day. Fiber lowers the content of bad cholesterol in the body, reduces inflammation and cancer-causing agents. It is best to incorporate this high fiber regimen in breakfast.
5-Quit smoking:
Needless to say, unhealthy habits like smoking are detrimental to the body and longevity. Smoking increases the oxidative damage to the cells, and most of this damage is irreparable, while some of these changes can be reversed with smoking cessation. Even passive smoking can induce the same amount of damage due to smoke inhalation.
6-Get some ‘sun vitamin’:
Vitamin D can help improve bone health and even fight off depression. It can be obtained from sunlight, but supplements are also available that can help maintain the body requirement. However, being in the outdoors without sunblock is not a good idea.
Apart from adopting healthy habits, getting regular physicals is also important for good health. Find a competent a top general physician in Faislabad, Karachi and Rawalpindi through oladoc.com, or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT professional for your concerns.
