A recent study presented at the American Society for Nutrition's yearly meeting has identified eight lifestyle factors that can potentially add decades to a person's lifespan. The study, which analyzed data from 719,147 individuals from the Million Veteran Program, found that engaging in regular exercise, maintaining good social relationships, practicing good sleep hygiene, avoiding binge drinking, following a healthy diet, not smoking, managing stress levels, and avoiding opioid addiction were all associated with a significant increase in lifespan.
According to the study, individuals who adopted all eight of these behaviors at age 40 experienced a substantial increase in their lifespan compared to those who did not adopt any of these habits. The increase in lifespan was approximately 21 years for women and 24 years for men. Furthermore, those who followed all eight practices had a 13% lower risk of death during the study period compared to those who did not follow any of these habits.
However, the study also found that even adopting just a few of these behaviors or starting them after the age of 40 still resulted in benefits. The study emphasized the importance of adopting these habits early on for better health outcomes.
While all eight practices were deemed important for longevity, certain behaviors such as smoking, opioid use, and lack of exercise were associated with a higher risk of premature death. The study highlighted the need to prioritize these practices to reduce the risk of early mortality.
Dr. Patrick Coll, a geriatrician and medical director for senior health at the University of Connecticut, stressed the significance of physical activity for aging individuals. He recommended regular exercise, which includes resistance training, aerobic exercise, and balance and flexibility exercises, to improve muscle strength and prevent falls.
However, the study also acknowledged that not everyone has equal access to these practices due to factors such as income, location, and cultural differences. Inequities in society can impact an individual's ability to adopt these lifestyle changes. The study authors also noted that the results were observational and do not establish causality.
Overall, this research contributes to the growing field that explores the connection between lifestyle choices and lifespan, but further investigation is needed to establish definitive causation.