Live Longer: Long Life For All!

Cut Pollution from your Life to Live Longer January 25, 2009

Here’s an article from Time that shows how a recent study in America indicates a five month increase in lifespan when the cities we live in cut out the smog! The scientists believe that the dirt in the air is causing our lungs and us damage that physically shortens our lives, even though the dirt itself is tiny. That’s impressive scientific backup for what most of us have known or suspected. Interestingly the article also cites living with smokers, as opposed to being a smoker, as also potentially life shortening - as the dirt in tobacco smoke is not dissimilar to that in smog.

‘Magic’ Purple Tomato Invented October 26, 2008

Scientists have invented a new kind of tomato that contains higher levels of the antioxidant anthocyanin. The scientists invented the new breed by introducing genes from the snapdragon, a plant high in anthocyanin, and studies have shown that mice live longer when fed the new fruit.

As well as helping us to live longer, the scientists hope that the new fruit can help fight certain cancers. They believe that the growth of colon cancer cells can be slowed by consuming higher levels of anthocyanins, something that is natural present in berries such as blackberry and cranberry. All very exciting news, so perhaps we can expect to see purple tomatoes on our supermarket shelves soon.

Eating Slowly May Help You Stay Slim October 22, 2008

We’ve spoken before on Long Life Blog about the importance of eating less when planning to live a long, healthy life - with the other important factor being staying happy of course. Now new research from Japan indicates that people who eat slowly are much less likely to overeat, and hence more likely to stay slim. So when you were told as a kid to chew everything 50 times before you swallow, now you can see why.. that and the saliva in your mouth helps pre-digest the food. Ah, old wives tales.

Eating Carbohydrate May Cause Over-Eating September 2, 2008

A new study suggests that our modern diet, high in carbohydrate and sugar, may be causing us to over eat as we get older. This sounds a bit cyclic - eating makes you over-eat - but the scientists at Monash University believe that eating too much carbohydrate and sugar between the ages of 25 and 50 causes key sensors in our body to be destroyed. These are the sensors that tell us whether we are hungry or full, and so stop us over-eating.

Combined with some people’s belief that eating too much ages you quickly, this is a double whammy of danger when the goal is a long life.

Running May Help You Live Longer August 12, 2008

A new study carried out in the US suggests that regular exercise through running or jogging can slow down the signs of aging. The study examined 500 older runners for more than 20 years, and found that the runners on average entered disability 15 years later and also were 50% less likely to die from sudden onset illness such as cancer.

Perhaps surprisingly the scientists at the Archives of Internal Medicine found no evidence that the runners needed more knee replacement surgeries over time, or other bone damage from the impact of running.

The general consensus is that exercise can help you live longer, and should be regularly pursued not only by younger people, but also as we get older. Of course as with any lifestyle change, it is important that if you start exercising again that you consult your doctor first, as rapid changes in activity levels can be detrimental to your health.

Happy (and long lived) jogging!

Tomatoes May Protect Your Skin April 28, 2008

New research has indicated that eating dishes containing cooked tomatoes may help your skin resist the damaging effects of the sun’s rays. The research, by the British Society for Investigative Dermatology, was carried out by feeding five tablespoons of tomato paste - made from cooked tomatoes - every day and comparing it to the effects of just eating additional olive oil. The results indicate that the tomato intake increases the skin’s natural sun defences by 33% - not enough to replace sun lotion, but enough to maybe keep your skin free from skin cancer and the aging effects of sun in general. Good news for those of us who like pizza and rich, red spaghetti sources. Mmm.

Are Vitamin Pills Healthy? April 16, 2008

A new study suggests that vitamin supplements of the kind taken by many millions of people globally, may not be as good for your health as we think. Scientists at Copenhagen University reviewed the results from many previous studies and came to the conclusion that at least three vitamin supplement vitamins - vitamin A, vitamin E and beta-carotene - may actually damage your health! Vitamin A results indicated a 16% increase in chance of dying - with 7% for beta carotene and 4% for vitamin E. The good news is that vitamin C and selenium did not seem to have any major downside from this study, but they also found no indication of major advantages to taking these supplements either.

The scientists suggest that the vitamins themselves may not be the problem, just taking them in excessive amounts in supplements. They believe that all vitamins should come from a healthy diet directly. Obviously many health groups related to supplement manufacturers, and others who aren’t, are up in arms about this as vitamin sales constitute a global market of $2.5 billion. Whatever the final outcome from further studies, it would seem that maintaining a healthy, balanced diet containing all the vitamins you need is the way forward - as the food itself has extra advantages for your body, such as energy and roughage.

Clean Your Way to a Longer Life April 10, 2008

A new scientific study has suggested that just 20 minutes sustained exercise a week - whether jogging or cleaning your house - can significantly reduce depression. In the same journal, another study suggests that regular sustained exercise can reduce the symptoms of old age. Keeping the body and mind active seems to be key to these results, with people who maintain a more sedentary, inactive life are more greatly impacted by their age.

Unfortunately ‘20 minutes sustained exercise’ does not mean a gentle stroll to the bus stop, to get the effects you need to induce at least some level of breathless-ness. Heavy sweeping and scrubbing will do the trick, but running a cloth over your shelves probably won’t. Scientists are also unsure as to the relationship between the exercise, how it affects depression and how it affects our youthfulness. It could be that staying active and in a ‘flow’ state releases pleasurable endorphins, reducing depression - and being happier naturally keeps us above our body’s aging process. Or alternatively it could be that people more inclined to do activities and live longer are less inclined towards depression. From my own personal experience I know that the less active I am, the more negative my world view becomes - with regular exercise important to my own life balance. However my 90 year old gran has never been a big one for exercise, enjoying rather the comforts of her sofa, knitting and East Enders on the telly. She does smile a lot though.

Disclaimer: As always, Long Life Blog’ post cannot be taken as medical advice. Before you undertake a change in your diet or exercise regime please consult a qualified doctor, as dramatic changes to our lives can have more downsides than upsides.

Changing Habits to Live Longer April 7, 2008

To live longer we need to work out what changes we want to make to our lives, and then carry out that changes - regularly, every day, for the rest of our new, longer life. For the lucky amongst us, blessed with an excess of willpower, that’s just another day. For most of us though, changing ingrained habits is harder work than we’d like. Now research has even indicated that when we try and use our willpower in a new area (such as shopping less) then our limited supply of willpower gets transferred from somewhere else (eating healthily). Thankfully even in these situations exercising our willpower leads to an increased supply to draw from, so it’s not all bad.

(more…)

Drink Plenty of Water, Stay Healthy - but how much? April 2, 2008

New research seems to indicate that drinking ‘excessive’ amounts of water every day can not be proven have any additional health benefits over drinking recommended levels, however it can also not be disproven. Traditionally, drinking high volumes of water has been recommended by those under-taking full body cleanses to help flush out toxins from your system. Although everyone agrees that drinking lots of clean, filtered water is good for you - the recommended volumes vary - with US guidelines suggesting near 2 litres (eight 8 oz glasses), and in the UK nearer 1.2 litres daily. Independent nutrition councils in the UK agree more with the US guidelines. So keep drinking plenty of water to stay healthy.