Here’s to Your Long Life
What’s the optimal BMI for a long life? New research may startle you! Check out how the apparent optimal BMI may be changing and some tips you can implement to live a healthy, long life!
Who doesn’t want a long life?
As most people in the United States have followed the Body Mass Index (BMI) guidelines (the accuracy of this index is another article by itself), most of us already know that anything over 25 is considered “overweight” – which is a strong indication that you are not in good health.
But new research suggests that people who are a bit heavier have the least chance of dying young. Danish researchers have used data from 1976-78, 1991-94, and 2003–13 to examine the link between mortality and BMI in more than 100,000 citizens.
Researchers found that the BMI value associated with the lowest all-cause mortality has increased by 3.3 over 3 decades from 1976-1978 to 2003-2013, from 23.7 to 27.
They found that the optimal BMI for decreasing your mortality rate was actually in the range of what is classified as “overweight”.
Dr. Nordestgaard warns us not to get the wrong impression from this new study as results should not suggest that people should eat as much as they desire or that those with normal healthy weight should become overweight.
With that being said, those with a slightly overweight BMI shouldn’t be as worried about their weight as they have before.
So, what can we do to increase the chances of living longer? Here are 5 tips to help you live a healthy, long life.
1. Strength Train
Exercise promotes longevity as strength training is the best way to live a long, healthy life. The beneficial effects of strength training include better balance, strong bones, and greater mobility. By exercising at least 3-5 days a week, you help you start to improve your fitness, strength, and overall health.
2. Limit Exposure to Chemicals
In today’s day and age, we are more exposed to environmental chemicals than ever before. Limit your exposure to environmental chemicals such as Bisphenol-a (BPA), which includes gasoline, plastic hygiene products, dyes, and food additives.
These harmful chemicals are linked to cardiovascular disease, poor reproductive health, Alzheimer’s, and cancer.
3. Maintain Great Relationships
Research shows that maintaining good friends will help you live a long life. The quality of social relationships is strongly linked to the quality of life, mental health, and longevity.
Those with a strong social relationship have a 50% increase in survival when compared to those with a solitary lifestyle.
Use antioxidants to protect your brain. By boosting antioxidant levels, you will promote better brain health and cognitive function to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Other important brain nutrients include vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. You may also go for some brain enhancement supplements like Addium Review to protect your brain.
Vitamin D may also be the most important nutrient your body can receive for longevity. While Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread risk across more demographics, a low vitamin D intake can increase the threat of disease and death.
Increase your vitamin D level by consuming at least 5,000 IUs a day.
5. Consume Omega-3s
Increase your fat intake with healthy omega-3 anti-inflammatory foods. Omega-3 fats produce healthier cells which means less disease, less chronic inflammation but more longevity.
While Trans fats are a big problem when it comes to fat intake, healthy omega-3 fatty acids decrease the risk of serious diseases including cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. You can consume omega-3 fatty acids in cold-water fish or supplements.
Wrap-Up
By making a few adjusting to your lifestyle, you will increase the chance of living longer.
Starvation and harmful diets obviously aren’t the way to go. Instead, exercise, eat well, maintain a healthy mind, and let yourself indulge every once in a while. Limit gluten and refined foods as much as possible and eat a high protein diet with carbs, fiber, and antioxidant-rich foods.
Be sure to correct unhealthy behaviors to keep your body healthy and young.
- How Does Peppermint Tea Help Boost Your Memory? - February 20, 2019
- Want a Long Life? Not Too Heavy, Not Too Thin - August 6, 2016
- The Expert’s 6 Most Important Healthy Lifestyle Tips - June 27, 2016
