"With aging, we've always studied things that decline," - Dr. Changiz Geula, Professor of Neurology at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine.Nowadays, the focus has shifted towards the field of anti-aging: studying things to prolong life or counter health decline. Dan Buettner has been studying areas he calls "The Blue Zones"
where life-expectancy is the longest. His observations have contributed to a rapidly growing field that is trying to defy the inevitable and help people live longer.6) Drop the Love Handles
In a study of 6,583 people over 30 years, those with significant belly fat had three times the risk for dementia. A recent study found that obese women have more memory issues and poorer brain function than other women. It is becoming clear that an accumulation of fat in your body harms more than just your self-esteem.
5) Drink Red Wine
The skin of red grape contains a powerful compound called resveratrol, commonly linked to slowing down aging. Resveratrol-fed mice were found to have stronger bones and motor coordination while showing fewer "old-age" problems such as heart disease, inflammation, and cataracts. However, remember to drink wine in moderation to get its positive health effects and avoid the negative social consequences. Keep the daily intake to a maximum of two servings.
4) Live Off the Land
A plant-exclusive diet can have you living healthier and longer. In a study of centenarians in Okinawa, Japan, Dan Buettner found that the longest-living people tend to eat less meat and more beans, soy, and nuts. A handful of nuts are an excellent replacement for salty snacks like chips.
3) Make A Little Love
Dr. Mehmet Oz, vice chairman of surgery at New York Presbyterian–Columbia University and host of "The Dr. Oz Show" believes that women who enjoy sex live longer. In fact, doubling your amount of satisfying sex can add up to three years to your life, he says. "Sex gives you the Zen moment you can't find throughout the day otherwise." It is also good physical exercise and can aid in mental health.
2) Use Your Head
Dr. Geula, who has studied 80-year-olds who perform at the same level as people in their 50s on neuropsychological tests, has found that the super-aged have fewer brain tangles — deposits of protein linked to Alzheimer's — suggesting that their brains have some sort of protection that normal brains don't. While scientists theorize the reason, there's a lot you can do to keep your own synapses firing. Learn Italian, take up the cello—even driving a new route to work can wake up sleepy brain cells.
1) Eat Less
Scientists at St. Louis University found that, while both exercising and eating less led to weight loss in the study's volunteers, cutting calories also lowered production of T3, a thyroid hormone that slows metabolism. The researchers believe that lower T3 levels may also slow the aging process. The Okinawans practice "Hara Hachi Bi", a custom where one stops eating when their stomach is 80% full. Having smaller serving sizes can help significantly as well as eating many small meals throughout the day.
Source: The Huffington Post
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