From Giles Sheldrick at the Sunday Express, “Five simple lifestyle rules that add YEARS to your life”:
Regular exercise, sensible eating, maintaining a healthy weight, minimal alcohol consumption and no smoking are the simple steps that guarantee longevity.
Ground-breaking research conducted over 35 years found those who make subtle lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of developing killer conditions by up to 70 per cent. Cases of cancer, heart attack, stroke, diabetes and dementia were slashed in those who seized control of their health.
It is the clearest sign yet that a clean-living lifestyle is the most effective way of avoiding an early grave. The advice might sound straightforward but health chiefs said the revolutionary report was a “salutary warning” to a nation beset by ill health.
GP Ian Campbell said: “It is not just a wake-up call but a loud cannon across the bows for individuals and NHS decision makers.
“The principal components of a healthy, long life may seem obvious and should definitely be encouraged. But in an age of technology and breathtaking medical advances we have lost sight of the much more obvious and simpler fact that a healthy, active lifestyle is more powerful than any drug in preventing ill health and increasing life expectancy.”
In 1979, Cardiff University School of Medicine set out to examine the relationship between lifestyle choices and chronic disease. Some 2,500 men aged 45-59 in Caerphilly, South Wales, agreed to be monitored for life.
They were told sticking to a healthy regime would ward off a host of illnesses but only a handful managed to do so.
A healthy, active lifestyle is more powerful than any drug in increasing life expectancy
Last night came categoric proof that those who followed the five simple steps were in the rudest of health. They slashed the risk of developing diabetes by 70 per cent. Heart attack, stroke and dementia were reduced by 60 per cent, while instances of cancer fell by 40 per cent. Most tellingly, those who neglected to take responsibility for their health experienced no benefit at all.
A healthy lifestyle does not provide immunity from disease but the study found those who lead a healthier life can delay the onset of crippling conditions by years.
Good, if not exactly startling, news, right? By all means, exercise, eat right, maintain a healthy weight, don’t smoke, and don’t drink much if you’re interested in leading a long and healthy life. The ominous note comes towards the end of the article.
Official estimates say obesity costs the NHS [Britain’s National Health Service] £5.1billion a year, while alcohol-related diseases cost £3.5billion. Treating smoking-related illnesses lands the health service with a £3billion annual bill – more than £50million a week.
If bad habits costs the National Health Service all that money, how long will it be before it not only applauds and encourages good habits, but mandates them? Doesn’t the one who pays the piper get to call the tune? As the US moves towards its version of socialized medicine, will we be looking at state-enforced healthy living? After all, this is the land where a billionaire mayor tried to stop grown ups from drinking too much soda pop, the first lady dictates school lunch menus, and cigarette companies have to tell people their products kill them. Perhaps the only consideration that will stay governments’ hands is a countervailing fiscal one. If people live longer, it will increase their huge unfunded pension and old-age medical liabilities.
For the complete article: http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/529633/5-simple-lifestyle-rules-that-add-years-to-your-life
