What’s New in Anti Aging Research?
It was once thought that most of how we age is determined by our genetics, but we know now that most of how we age is determined by how well or poorly we choose to live. Two recent anti aging research studies highlight the importance of lifestyle and its effects on longevity.
4 Behaviors Make a Big Difference
In our post 3 Anti Aging Solutions we discuss Pareto’s Law or the 80/20 Principle and how a majority of results come from a few vital factors. Here are some studies that highlight Pareto’s Law.
The first anti aging research study from the CDC and published online on August 12, 2011 in the American Journal of Public Health found that individuals who practice four behaviors – not smoking, eating healthy, getting enough exercise, and drinking alcohol moderately – were 63% less likely to die during the 18 year study period compared to those who did not practice those 4 behaviors.
The study was based on data collected in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III Mortality Study from 1988 to 2006 involving 16,958 participants. The results were published in the American Journal of Public Health.
All 4 behaviors were independently associated with lower mortality with greatest reduction in mortality coming from not smoking. Participants who practice all 4 behaviors showed reduced death risk from malignant cancers and major cardiovascular disease.
Television and Life Expectancy
The second anti aging research study was published online on August 15, 2011 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine and assessed the effects of television viewing time on life expectancy. The study involved over 11,000 adults aged 25 or older and determined that individuals who watch television 6 hours a day can expect to live nearly 5 fewer years than someone who does not watch TV.
Here’s what’s scary. The average loss of life from watching just 30 minutes of TV is similar to the loss of life from smoking one cigarette, which is a loss of 11 minutes of life. So watching 6 hours of TV a day is equal to losing 132 minutes or 2.2 hours of life – not to mention the loss of quality of life from wasting it sitting on the couch.
So the take home message from this anti aging research is do not smoke, and do not watch too much TV, and especially don’t smoke while watching TV – unless of course you wish to die sooner rather than later.
See related articles.
“Reverse Aging Process with this Supplement”
“Growth Hormone, Antiaging Miracle Drug?“
“Melatonin: the Other Anti Aging Hormone”
“Risks of Anti Aging Medicine: Commentary on CNN Article”
