Live Longer: Long Life For All!

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.

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.

Heath Benefits of Blueberries March 27, 2008

We all know that blueberries are delicious, and loaded with anti-oxidants, well now according to research they can also help offset the effects of aging. Research carried out by the USDA showed that rats fed the equivalent of one cup of blueberries a day had significantly increase neurological abilities - equivalent to acting ‘younger’ than they were.

The research suggested that the anti-oxidants in blueberries were responsible for this mental improvement, so this means that other fruits high in antioxidants, or even dark chocolate and red wine would have similar effects.

Reduce Stress to Live Longer March 20, 2008

Cut anxiety and stress out of your life to live longer - that’s the message of a study carried out by the University of California. Researchers discovered that stress and anxiety cause aging damage to your body, by affecting the mechanisms that allow your cells to regenerate and stay long. So how can we reduce stress and stay young?

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Eat Less, Live Longer March 12, 2008

A number of reports over the years have reported astounding results with mice and other ‘testable’ animals where restricting calorific intake below average has led to apparent life extending results. Now scientists have followed the aging signs for a group of people who restricted their diet, and the results indicate that the eating less does slow down the aging process in us as well as mice. Good news indeed.

In the study scientists examined people who had cut down their calorific intake almost 50% from the usual 2,500 to 3,550 calories a day. With a control group eating usual calorific amounts and a balanced diet, the scientists compared aging signs against a group who ate between 1,000 and 2,000 calories on the same balanced diet. To quote:

“The dietitian-approved meal plan is carefully balanced: The calorie restriction group consumed about 26 percent of their calories from protein, 28 percent from fat, and 46 percent from complex carbohydrates. The fare was enlivened by a nutrient-dense array of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.”

The study lasted over three years, and by the end of this time the calorie restricted group were scoring hugely better in terms of traditional aging indicators such as cholesterol and tri-glycerides, as well as blood pressure. Many of them had also lost weight and were feeling greatly improved energy levels. Positive news indeed.

As well as an increasing trend in restrictive calorie, well balanced diets there has also been an increase in ‘intermittent fasting’, where people eat normally one day, then eat nothing the next day. Similar studies into people on this method have also indicated slow downs in aging. Of course all of this is subject to intense scientific debate, as the causes of this slow down and potential side effects are examined. Two theories are being considered right now; firstly that calories restriction reduces how much energy reaches cells from glucose - reducing the number of free radicals that form and then destroy the cells, the competing theory is that the body starts to reduce aging and reproductive processes when it enters a period of calorie scarcity - or starvation as it’s more commonly known.

Given the length of the human lifespan it will be a while before the full pros and cons of such an approach to longevity are known for sure. Perhaps this will explain better why many of our parents and grand-parents from war time Europe have lived such long lives, with strict rationing in place during their youth, or perhaps that is just the result of better global health care. Either way I look forward to being in the future and finding out.

Red Wine: Longer Life Benefits Best in Specific Regions March 10, 2008

Photo by Matt Hobbs

For a while now people have been aware of the health benefits of drinking small amounts of red wine on a regular basis. Now researchers from the UK have identified specific wine growing regions that product red wines containing more of the procyanidins believed to be responsible for the wine’s health benefits.

The wines produced in Sardinia and South West France have been shown to contain on average two to four times the amount of procyanidins than other red wines. The researchers found this to have a strong correlation to the long life of the residents of the areas that grow these wines. The research also showed that ‘new world’ wines tend to be lower in the desired chemicals due to a combination of the grapes used and the production processes, as the traditional processes tend to leave the wines to ferment with their skins longer - increasing the concentrations of procyanidins.

Always nice to have an excuse to drink. To your good health!

Cats May Help Prevent Heart Attacks: New Research

Photo by Matt Hobbs

A recent study amongst American cat owners indicates that having a cat in your household reduces the risk of heart attack by almost a third. The study, carried out across 4,300 homes, indicates a strong correlation between having a cat and reducing the likelihood of heart attacks. Perhaps soon we will see doctors prescribing cats to people for their health.

Dog owners shouldn’t feel left out though, the researchers feel that dogs and other pets will have a similar effect, it’s just that their study didn’t include enough dog owners to give statistically conclusive results.

As an aside, in New York if you live in an apartment that has a no pets policy, then I believe it is possible to get a note from your doctor indicating that you have to have a cat for your mental health, and to help reduce depression. Good news for NY cat lovers, especially given how stressful big cities can be.