10 Things You Can Do To Live To Be 100

It seems that almost every day we read about another centenarian swimming across the English Channel blind-folded with one hand tied behind his back or jumping out of an airplane while she knits a scarf without dropping a single stitch. OK, slight exaggerations perhaps, but without a doubt, more people are living to the ripe old age of 100 -- or longer. Certainly, medical advances are a principal reason behind the longevity boost and to a large extent you will play the genes you are dealt. But here are a few more ways to improve your odds of reaching a triple-digit birthday: 1. Run like your life depends on it. Why? Because it may. Stanford University researchers tracked runners and non-runners for 21 years. They found that runners didn't just get less heart disease, they also had fewer cancers, infections and neurologic diseases -- and yes, they live longer. Study author Eliza Chakravarty was quoted in Time saying, "Aerobic exercise keeps the immune system young." How much exercise is enough to make a difference? Opinions vary but If you don't like to run, even 20 minutes a day of any activity that leaves you breathless can boost your health, she says. Even a moderate jog can add between five and six years to your life, according to a 2012 analysis of data from a Copenhagen City Heart study. But gains from running do hit a place of diminished returns when it comes to longevity. Researchers from the University of South Carolina found that people who run more than 20 mil...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news