With my 40
th birthday looming ahead of me in the next few weeks I do sometimes think (not to be morbid or anything) of how long I will live and if my life is half over, etc, etc (you get the point). I saw this article on “Surprising Signs You’ll Live Longer Than You Think” and could not resist sharing it with you. Now, I will say this, I do want to live a long time more (as long as I am in good health and can take care of myself) but I don’t want to outlive everyone in my peer group. You know those stories you read about last living survivor of the Titanic, or oldest living woman-well I don’t want to be that old but you know-within reason. Anyway, I could go on and on so I will stop before you think I am really over thinking this (because of course I am) and get onto the signs.
Signs You’ll Live Longer Than You Imagined*Your mom had you young-If your mom had you when she was under the age of 25, you’re twice as likely to live to 100 as someone born to an older mom (uh oh now I feel bad for my kids-I had them in my 30’s). The theory is that younger moms’ best eggs go first to fertilization, thus healthier offspring.
*You love to drink tea-Both green and black teas contain a concentrated dose of
catechins, substances that help blood vessels relax and protect your heart. In a study of more than 40, 500 Japanese men and women , those who drank 5 or more cups of green tea every day had the lowest risk of dying from heart disease and stroke. You really need only 1 or 2 cups of tea daily to start doing your heart some good-just make sure it’s a fresh brew. Ready-to-drink teas don’t offer the same health benefits (once water is added to the the tea leaves the
catechins start to degrade).
Hmmmmm- I drink at least 5 cups of green tea a day but I must say it is not fresh brew. I need to consider this.
*You’re a walker-People who walk for about 30 minutes a day are more likely to live longer regardless of how much body fat they have.
*You are not a soda drinker (even diet)-As I sit here with my sinful yet delicious bad habit diet Pepsi (my main vice next to chocolate) this article says that scientists in Boston found that drinking one or more regular or diet colas everyday doubles your risk of metabolic syndrome-a cluster of conditions, including high blood pressure, elevated insulin levels, and excess fat around the waist that increase your chance of heart disease and diabetes . I know soda is horrible and diet especially but for some reason I occasionally crave it and when I have a lot of stress (like now) I want a rude diet Pepsi to soothe me. It is just one of those things that you know you should not be doing but cannot quite help yourself (I tend to do this on occasion).
*You eat purple food- I have said this many, many times but Concord grapes, blueberries, red wine (no, this is not an excuse to go get drunk on red wine) : They all get that deep, rich color from
polyphenols (compounds that reduce heart disease risk and may also protect against Alzheimer’s disease).
Polyphenols help keep blood vessels and arteries flexible and healthy. Researchers found
that eating 1 or more cups of blueberries every day may improve communication between brain cells, enhancing your memory.
*You are not a burger eater (hooray-save the cows on this one)- A few palm-size servings of beef, pork, or lamb now and then is no big deal (it is for who you are eating-okay off my animal rights soapbox)
but eating more than 18 ounces of red meat per week ups your risk of colorectal cancer (the third most common type).
Colorectal cancer risk also rises by 42% with every 3 ½ ounce serving of processed meat (think deli meats, bacon, hot dogs) eaten per day. I don’t want to say I told you so but uh huh.
*You have good friendships- having good friendships help alleviate stress and knowing that you have people who support you keeps you healthy mentally and physically.
*You don’t have a housekeeper-okay I am on this one-not only do I not have a housekeeper, I am the housekeeper (does that make sense?)- The average person can burn about 285 calories (lowering risk of death by 30% according to a study of 302 adults in their 70’s and 80’s) just by mopping, vacuuming, or washing windows for a little more than an hour.
*You have a positive outlook on life- In Sardinia and Okinawa, where people live the longest (I never knew this), hard work is important, but not more than spending time with family, nurturing spirituality and doing for others. I really think doing for others is the key-I never feel better than when I do something selfless to help an animal or person.
So, how did your lifestyle stack up to these live longer signs?
Ref-my new favorite magazine-Prevention November 2008.
39 comments:
All the Best,
Martin Lindeskog - American in Spirit.
Gothenburg, Sweden.
I agree with everything you wrote. However, on the point about your mom giving birth before she was twenty-five, I had never read that before. I sure how you are right about that one.
Love purple food!
happy trails.
I am like you and I drink a lot of tea. I was happy to hear that fresh brewed tea helps you to live longer. I always drink fresh brewed tea. I'll admit I am kind of an addict and always have to have the gourmet flavored teas.
My husband drinks a lot of soda. He always has. I try to avoid purchasing soda of any kind but he finds ways to get a hold of it anyway. He mostly drinks diet soda and I've told him over and over again that even diet soda is bad for him, but sometimes men just don't listen. I try to avoid that beverage. I only drink it on occasion like if we go out for dinner which is rare.
I didn't know how good blueberries were for you. I've heard about the benefits of red wine and now that I am living out here in California I'm enjoying red wine in moderation of course. I might have to add blueberries to my grocery list.
I've always struggled with self esteem and staying positive. Being diagnosed with clinical depression as a teenager I think that is something that I just can not avoid.
We do eat red meat. But again that is in moderation and I don't think we eat more than 18 ounces a week.
I had my children when I was young. In fact I was only 18 when my first child was born. But my mother was in her late 30's when I was born.
I guess according to this article I might not live to be 100. If I live to be 80 that will be good enough.
Thanks for sharing this!
1.Oh no, my mom had me when she was over 25! : (
2.I drink green tea but not everyday and not fresh brew : (
3.Yay! I'm a walker. I love to walk and take the stairs instead of the elevators : )
4.I don't drink soda or Coke or Pepsi : )
5.I don't think I eat enough purple food, must really eat more : (
6.I rarely eat burgers : )
7.I have lots of good friends and I'm pretty friendly person : )
8.I don't have housekeeper and I'm partly the housekeeper too! I don't really like the household chores, but someone's gotta do it! Luckily or unluckily, I am not the only one doing all the chores : )
9.Oh, yeah! I do have a positive outlook in life. And time with family, with myself and helping others are what I love doing! : )
I think I did pretty well, no? Hopefully I'll live longer than I imagined : )
As always a great interesting and informative post Heidi...
Cheers
Let's see if it all pans out!
Great post!
Unique blog post!
I am a walker and I have a positive outlook on life!!
I'm almost everything except the first one.. :P
1. MotherDear was 20 when I was born
2. I love fresh-steeped tea of all kinds, although I don't make it every day
3. I am not a soda drinker
4. Red Wine - check! (duh! hahaha)
5. I am not a fan of red meat, but I do have a burger Saturday night
6. I do have good friendships
7. I do not have a housekeeper... anymore. hahaha
8. My glass is always half-full :)
I flunked the walker one-I haven't exercised inabout 8 years which is why I am over weight. I have just started working on this very important issue.
I've been thinking that it's time to make some serious lifestyle changes...hard to do, but necessary for good health. I'll let you know how it all works out since you and your blog are partially to blame!
Keep up the good work.
http://mlizcochico.blogspot.com/2008/11/best-mom-award.html/
take care.
I have wondered though about those old men 70+ who father babies ? Can those babies really be as healthy, like those from young men ?
peace,
mike
livelife365
Interesting information, though, so thanks for sharing!
Roxy
I think it's a case of moderation ... as long as a person is in control of themselves and doesn't allow something to control them then their future, on the whole, is positively rosey.
You sound like a person who has things in moderation ... so ... your future has to be rosey - just think to yourself "a rose is a rose is a rose!"
As an over-60's kind of person, I know I'm not doing too badly. Just have to replace the coke with red wine (yup, I can do that!), and we'll be sweet.
The studies are done using industrial meats. Who would even eat this crap anymore? Grass-fed is more humane and extremely healthy for anyone.
Great concept with this post but not fully correct. It's not your fault, the food industry doesn't want us to know about the good foods we should consume.
Robin
I gave you a butterfly award for your blog. You can pick it up at this link: http://karenzemek.blogspot.com/2008/11/thanks-to-rebecca-for-this-butterfly.html
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