Nine Ways to Live Longer

The March 2008 issue of Consumer Reports has an interesting article titled “9 Ways to a Longer Life” (if you get the magazine, it’s on page 6). It’s interesting because Consumer Reports is usually quite conservative about reporting on this type of thing – they usually won’t talk about something healthcare-related unless there is pretty good evidence for or against it. And anything about health that research consistently says is good for you is newsworthy. As the article says, “Following health news can be like watching a Ping-Pong match,” with one day something is good for, then it’s bad, then the next time is good again.

Here are the nine things that Consumer Reports suggests that you consider:

• Eat whole grains. Eating whole grains may reduce the risk of your having heart disease and some cancers.
• Consider taking vitamin D supplements. As we get older, our bodies don’t make vitamin D as well as when we’re younger. Vitamin D is important in strengthening bones and in boosting immunity
• Limit time in the sun. Use sunscreen, use sunscreen, use sunscreen!
• Eat colorful produce. Colorful vegetables have substances in them that may help prevent cancer and other diseases.
• Exercise. Exercise is important in many ways. Aerobic exercise (exercise that helps your heart) may be especially important for brain fitness.
• Get enough sleep. If you’re not sleeping well, try to figure out why. Does something interfere, like noise or a restless pet? Getting enough sleep helps with immune function as well as brain fitness.
• Don’t smoke. Duh! Smoking is bad for you is so many ways that it’s hard to list them all. If you’re still smoking, contact us about how to stop. Methods for quitting involve group support, using the nicotine patch, and other medicines. Your risk of disease starts going down almost as soon as you stop, so take a few minutes to think about how much better you’ll feel after you stop.
• Eat the right kinds of fats. More and more research seems to show that it’s not just avoiding all fats that is important. Certain kinds of fats, like those in nuts, some oils, and fish, can be good for your heart and your brain.
• Relax. Stress is bad for your memory, your brain, and your mood. If you feel stressed out, it’s probably time to think about some kind of stress management.

You can access the complete article at http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health-fitness/news/2008/03/9-ways-to-a-longer-life-3-08/overview/longer-life-ov.htm.