Fasting for a Longer Life

Posted on January 8, 2012 by bobet

We are used to hearing that we must eat the right types of food in order to ensure good health. But what we are not often told is that, in some instances, not eating at all can also help us restore our bodies to good health. At first glance this might seem like a paradox, but only when we fail to realize that it is not just the quality of the food that matters, but also the quantity. Fasting is a practice that can help purify a body overburdened by poisons and, as a process of detoxification, it works as a perfect complement to a diet high in vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients.

A Contaminated World

No matter how diligently people try and practice good dietary habits, poisonous substances will still be able to enter the body through the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. Contamination is everywhere in the modern world and we are exposed to it constantly. When we add in a lack of exercise and sleep and an excess of stress, we put our bodies in a situation where they are simply too overwhelmed to defend themselves effectively. Accumulation of toxins in the cells of the body becomes unavoidable, and destructive free radicals that enter alongside these poisons travel throughout the body disrupting the activity of those very same cells, acting in partnership with the toxins to ensure that health and vitality will decline as we age. The only way to reverse this trend is to slow things down and give the body a chance to catch up, and this is exactly what fasting can do.

How Fasting Works

The two types of fasting that are usually practiced are juice fasts and water fasts. Even when one is not eating it is important to keep hydrated, in part because the body’s detoxifying system needs liquid to function correctly and efficiently, so the consumption of water or juice of some kind should always be considered mandatory during a fast. Water fasting tends to be more strenuous for the body, so people who are new to the practice should probably start out on a juice fast.

When there is no food coming into the body, energy is diverted from the digestive system to the immune and metabolic systems, where detoxification procedures normally occur. The liver, colon, kidneys, lungs, lymph nodes and skin all provide pathways through which the body can eliminate toxic substances, and when we fast, it gives these systems the extra energy they need to really go into overdrive to eliminate all that has been accumulating over time. It is surprising how quickly the body can clean itself out when it is given a real chance to do so, and this is what fasting on a regular basis can do.

Ridding the Body of the Agents of Disease

The diseases that we have come to associate with aging such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer and stroke all arise in biological environments where the body’s ability to regenerate and restore cellular health has been compromised. The best way to extend lifespan is to change what is happening inside of us so that the opportunistic killers that invade when we are vulnerable will no longer find such fertile fields in which to grow. Fasting is not a miracle cure by any means, but when suffering from contamination, the body does not need intervention from the outside as much as it just needs the chance to heal itself, as nature gave it the ability to do. Fasting lets the body return to doing what it was meant to do all along, and as it restores itself to excellent health, greater longevity will be one of the inevitable results.

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Better Eating for a Longer Life

Posted on January 8, 2012 by bobet

When we purchase a new car, we try to take care of it the best way we can so it will last for a long time. This includes supplying it with clean fuel, and if we were to find out that a gas station we frequent was selling fuel contaminated with dirt or other kinds of particulates that could clog our fuel lines and damage the engine, we would stop patronizing that station immediately.

And yet, most of us are perfectly content to fill the finely tuned machine we are all fortunate enough to possess – called the human body – with dirty, contaminated fuel in the form of processed foods, refined sugars and junk foods soaked in saturated fats. Amazingly, we treat our bodies as if they were less important than our material possessions, even though research and personal experience has clearly shown us the results of this negligence.

Dietary factors play a significant role in the process of aging, as the cells of the body will steadily deteriorate in their functioning and in their ability to repair themselves when they are only supplied with fuel that is empty of nutritional value and filled with pollutants. Anyone who hopes to live a longer life, and to be able to enjoy good health while doing so, must begin to pay very close attention to the food they are putting into their bodies. Most importantly, they must be prepared to change their bad eating habits before it is too late.

Substitution for Health

Anyone who consumes most typical Western diets is actually filling their body with substances that are the definition of abnormal. When junk foods, sweets, animal fats and empty calories are what people live on, the result will inevitably be a host of health problems that will develop in later years and guarantee a reduced lifespan.

The only way to alter this grim prognosis is to begin substituting healthy fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and whole grain products for processed foods and other non-nutritious items one meal at a time. This way, the task of changing diets does not become overwhelming. Everyone needs to eat foods that taste good to them and that they can enjoy for changes in diet to stick, so it is important that anyone who wants to eat healthier try as many different recipes and different types of healthy foods as possible, so they can be sure to find a good assortment of things that they really like to eat.

Restricting Calories

One of the biggest problems with the typical modern diet is that junk foods are usually high in calories, leading to overconsumption and obesity. Studies have shown that when people reduce their calorie intake by 20-30%, it can do wonders for cellular health and functioning, reducing the threat of age-related diseases while possibly extending lifespan by as much as 5-10 years. The body is built to run on a certain amount of fuel, and when it is oversupplied, this can cause health problems even beyond the well-known health risks associated with carrying excess pounds. Here, again, a shift to a healthier diet is important, because healthier foods are generally richer in fiber and water and will help a person feel full even if they are not consuming as many calories as they used to.

Living as Nature Intended

The reason why the body does so much better when supplied with natural, nutritious foods is simple: It is because we evolved consuming these things. It is only the peculiar addiction of modern society to technological processing and industrial-style production in all areas – including food – that has taken us away from our dietary roots.

Going back to the way we were always meant to eat protects us from conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s that can result from a lifetime of bad habits. If we supply our bodies with the kind of fuel for life they need and crave, we will be rewarded with a longer and healthier existence. In this instance, it is all about the choices we make, and about how willing we are to change deeply ingrained habits and lifestyles if it means giving ourselves the chance to enjoy our lives with our loved ones for a longer period of time.

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The Eastern Path to a Longer Life

Posted on August 29, 2011 by admin

Many lifestyle factors can play a role in the shortening of human lifespan, including poor diet, drinking, smoking and lack of exercise. There is another lifestyle factor, however, that tends to operate in the shadows. Most people know that excess stress can make life difficult and even lead to unpleasant physical symptoms like headaches and muscle cramps. What many probably do not realize is that stress, especially when it is chronic and prolonged, can set off a chain reaction inside the human organism that can lead to serious health problems and early death.

Statistics reveal the unpleasant truth: 43% of all adults suffer adverse health effects that are partially connected to and exacerbated by stress, including heart disease, high blood pressure, ulcers and diabetes. Some estimate that as many as 80% of all visits to doctors are in response to symptoms caused by stress. So as we can see, stress is strongly implicated in poor health, and it is involved in serious conditions that can ultimately prove fatal.

Reducing and managing stress can extend longevity and improve overall quality of life, which is why everyone should be prepared to take action to deal with this thorny companion of the modern lifestyle. Perhaps the best methods available for those who hope to manage stress better can be found by looking east.

Mind-Body Management for Stress Reduction

Mind-body health restorative techniques from Asia have become increasingly ubiquitous and well-known throughout the rest of the world. These methods generally use either progressive relaxation or focused rhythmic movement, both of which are designed to bring feelings of peace and calm that will permeate both mind and body. The physiological changes that result from activities like meditation, yoga and Tai Chi have an undeniable healing influence, and just as importantly, these practices can help retrain the mind and body so that responses to potential stress-causing situations will be dramatically improved.

Eastern mind-body techniques can be learned easily. DVD’s, audio programs and free Web instructions are available that can walk eager learners through all the steps necessary to learn meditation, practice yoga or execute the fluid moves of Tai Chi. Of course, many people prefer something more personalized, and because of the growth in popularity of Eastern health and relaxation practices, there are now classes offered in most communities that can teach anyone how to effectively use meditation, yoga and other similar activities to improve their lives.

The Biological Effects of Eastern Techniques

There has been much speculation about how exactly relaxation and rhythmic movement might help restore good health in the body. Now there is evidence that these types of techniques help increase the body’s supply of a critical enzyme called telomerase, which acts to repair damaged cells and preserve their ability to divide and reproduce. It has already been established that stress causes destructive chemicals to be produced in the body, while Eastern relaxation methods lead to the production of chemicals that help to bring about peaceful states. But the latest research has taken things one step further, right down to the microscopic level, where meditation and related practices have been proven to have life-extending benefits for the cells of the body.

Longer Life, Better Life

Stress is a silent but deadly condition that can bring premature death if it is left to run free. The Eastern path of mind-body therapy is the best antidote that has yet been found to the destructive and deleterious effects of this state of being that haunts our modern lives like a plague. In addition to its anti-stress capabilities, the Eastern path of relaxation and rhythmic movement has been shown to aid in the release of chemicals in the body that heal biological dysfunction at the cellular level, enhancing their life-expanding characteristics even further.

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Nine Secrets to a Long Life

Posted on August 29, 2011 by admin

Living well and living longer go hand in hand. That is why the best secrets about how to enjoy a longer life are all dedicated to the idea that improving the quality of your life will also extend its quantity.

  1. Longevity Secret #1 – Connecting with Your Spiritual Side
    Spiritual practice is good for the body as well as the soul. Religion and spirituality help give greater meaning and purpose to life, and it is this sense of purpose that helps give people a reason for living. Being a part of a larger spiritual community also has a positive impact. For those who would prefer to remain agnostic or are firmly wedded to rationalism, finding deeper meaning in the world does not really require anything overtly religious. It is the search for meaning itself that makes the difference.
  2. Longevity Secret #2 – Learning Another Language
    The process of learning a foreign language stimulates the brain to make new connections. Energizing the mind through the creation of new linguistic associations and pathways helps stave off the mental deterioration than can accompany aging.
  3. Longevity Secret #3 – Start a New Business After Retirement
    One of the best ways to keep life interesting and fun after retirement is to start a new business. The idea here is not to make a profit, but rather to do something that you really enjoy or sell something you really believe in or are passionate about – maybe because you made it yourself. A post-retirement business can add a lot of excitement to your life, as long as you don’t invest so much that it will leave you in a precarious financial position should your business fail.
  4. Longevity Secret #4 – Cultivate Rewarding Social Relationships
    It is a proven fact that people are strongly influenced by the people with whom they spend time. Energetic, optimistic and health-oriented people will help you stay young and vital. Our relationships create the contexts that shape our thoughts and emotions, for good or for ill.
  5. Longevity Secret #5 – Relaxing the Eastern Way
    Activities like yoga, meditation and tai chi have moved into the mainstream over the past two or three decades. This is primarily because of their stress-reducing capacities. Few things will have a more positive effect on our health than reducing our levels of stress and anxiety.
  6. Longevity Secret #6 – Moderate Exercise
    Regular, moderate exercise can reduce the risks of virtually every serious disease or medical condition that can strike human beings and shorten their lives. The great thing is that moderate-intensity exercise can include activities that people enjoy, such as walking, riding a bicycle, hiking or playing golf.
  7. Longevity Secret #7 – Eating a Healthy Diet
    Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are excellent for the body, while processed foods, refined sugar and saturated fats are health killers. This is not exactly shocking news at this point, but the bottom line is that an unhealthy diet means an unhealthy body, and vice versa. This is an inescapable fact.
  8. Longevity Secret #8 – Fasting
    Better food brings better health. However, all of the toxins that have accumulated in our cells from decades of eating the wrong foods and absorbing pollution from our environment have left our bodies saturated with poisons. Partaking in healthy, short-term fasting on a regular basis is one way to help the body rid itself of these accumulated toxins.
  9. Longevity Secret #9 – Green Living
    Here is an important fact everyone should remember: Because our bodies are part of the natural environment, what is good for the environment is also good for our health. So when we avoid exposing ourselves to the chemicals that most people use around the house or at their work, or that they breathe from the air or ingest in their foods, we will be helping to preserve our health and extend our lifespan. The fight for a greener world is also a fight for a healthier one.

 

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The Exercise-Longevity Connection

Posted on August 29, 2011 by admin

As human beings age, the process of entropy inevitably takes its toll. Chronic illness and disease begin to take advantage of the body’s growing inability to protect itself against opportunistic invaders, and longevity is often reduced as a result of this breakdown in the state of general health.

The search for antidotes to this kind of age-related health decline has been going on for a long time, and people have shown a willingness to follow some exotic suggestions in their desperation to cure the diseases of aging and extend life span. However, one of the most effective and time-tested methods for improving the quality of life and extending it well into old age is as fundamental and basic as they come: exercise.

The Biological Necessity of Exercise

The human body was made to move and remain active. For most of human history, people needed to be physically active to survive, and many of the diseases that we associate with the modern lifestyle were basically unheard of before the 20th century. Of course people did not live as long then, but while they did live they relied on their physical vitality to carry them through. Now that medical science has uncovered the secrets of disease – thanks primarily to science and technology – lifespans have been expanded well beyond past limitations. But because modern ways of living no longer require people to be constantly on the go in order to survive, medical intervention is not always enough to extend life to its full potential. The human body still needs exercise to maintain healthy functioning, and despite better understanding of the origins of sickness, people continue to die before their time because of inactivity.

For a long time, it was believed by many that exercise needed to be vigorous and intense if it were going to make any positive difference in a person’s prospects for long-term survival. But one of the really fantastic discoveries of modern medical research is that moderate exercise performed on a semi-regular basis delivers significant health benefits, including an increase in longevity.

The Evidence

Because of the deep interest in the topic over the past several years, the connection between exercise and good health has become one of the most studied questions in the field of medical research. The following are just a sampling of the many medical studies that have demonstrated the positive effects of exercise on health and longevity:

  • 10,269 Harvard alumni who walked at least nine miles per week had a 22% lower mortality rate than normal.
  • 4,484 Icelandic men ages 45-80 who practiced moderate exercise for at least 43 minutes a day after the age of 40 had a 16% lower risk of stroke than others in their age group.
  • 802 Dutch men aged 64-84 who walked or bicycled one hour a week or more had a 29% decrease in their expected mortality rate.
  • 6,017 Japanese men aged 35-60 who walked to work (minimum time investment of 21 minutes daily) had a 29% lower risk of high blood pressure.
  • 30,640 Danish men and women aged 20-93 who spent 2-4 hours each week in physically active leisure had a 32% lower than expected mortality risk.
  • 73,743 American women aged 50-79 who walked a minimum of 2.5 hours per week had a 30% reduced risk of suffering a serious cardiovascular event.
  • 4,311 British men aged 40-59 who participated in regular light to moderate physical activity had a 35% reduction in their mortality rate when compared to others in their age group.
  • 3,206 Swedish men and women aged 65 and above who practiced moderate intensity exercise at least once a week had a 40% lower mortality risk.

Results like this have been found again and again, as simple activities like walking, bicycling and light calisthenics have all been shown to reduce rates of serious illness and premature death.

Movement for Life

There are few activities that can have a more positive impact on health and wellness than moderate exercise. Because exercise does not have to be overly strenuous in order to deliver benefits, these wonderful health promoting effects are accessible to people of all ages, who should be able to find something they can do even if they have never exercised before. There is nothing mysterious or exotic here: Anyone can extend their lifespan if they simply get up, get out and start moving, which is the way nature always intended.

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Invest in Longevity by Starting Your Own Business

Posted on August 29, 2011 by admin

The general idea people have about aging is that it is a time to begin winding down. Slowing down, relaxing, taking it easy as you slide gradually toward retirement, when you will finally be able to get off the treadmill and withdraw from the rat race for good – this is what it means to get older.

But the metaphor “winding down” is actually revealing, because when an old-style watch winds down, eventually it stops completely. Winding down really means that the end is near and that life essentially is almost over. Needless to say, this is not the idea that most people have about retirement. But when you are used to living a certain way for decades, and suddenly all of that is gone, what you are leaving behind is not so much a way of life as a way of being. Your work has been a major part of your identity, and unless you find something to replace what you are leaving behind, your life is indeed going to turn into something equivalent to a watch winding down, with nothing to look forward to but your time running out.

One of the best ways you can avoid this scenario is to start your own business. No matter how young or old you are, it has never been easier to begin a new business venture. For older people seeking renewed purpose, or those who are younger who need a fresh challenge, channeling your inner entrepreneur is one of the best ways to add energy, purpose and renewed focus to your life. When you find new reasons to get excited about your present and your future, what you are going to discover is that emotions like depression and pessimism no longer have a place in your world, and your motivation to take care of yourself by eating a proper diet, exercising and pursuing other health-promoting activities will be greatly increased.

How to Begin

Starting your own business can seem like a daunting challenge. But it has never been easier to do than right now. In many areas, registering a new business can be accomplished in less than 30 minutes, and the Internet has many excellent sources that can lead you through the process so that you will not miss any important steps or make any mistakes. Of course, the other great thing about the Internet is that it has now opened up a whole new potential outlet for those who would like to start a business, as just about any kind of good or service you can think of is now being offered for sale online.

Before you begin, what you will need is a good business plan, so you have a very clear idea about what you want to do and how you are going to do it. Hopefully, you will have enough saved so that you don’t have to go for a small business loan, but if you do, it is important to find out how much you will need to borrow and what the repayment terms might be. If you are retired or approaching retirement, it is vitally important that you not invest any more in your new business than you can afford. The majority of new small businesses fail, so you cannot risk so much that your future financial security is endangered.

When deciding what goods or services you want to offer, you should pick something that you are really knowledgeable about and something you really care about. Small businesses that you start on your own should be all about following your bliss, since the purpose here is not so much to make money as it is to do something that will bring a sense of excitement and meaning to your existence.

The Benefits

Starting a small business from home allows you to be your own boss and set your own hours. It is also an excellent way to become more deeply involved in your community, since you will be selling your products or services locally in most instances (unless your business is exclusively online). Probably the best thing about starting your own business is that it will allow you to receive tangible benefits for doing something you are really passionate about, and for almost everyone this is a very satisfying feeling.

There has been plenty of research done proving that healthy mental and emotional states help extend life and ward off chronic conditions that are normally associated with aging. You need things that can help you get excited about your life again as you get older, in order to keep your mind and body energized, stress-free and motivated. Longevity feeds on purpose, and starting your own business is a great way to promote positive attitude, good health and a longer life.

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The Social Connection: Relationships and Longevity

Posted on August 29, 2011 by admin

 Implicit in the desire to live a longer life is the belief that we will continue to have the things we need to make our lives rewarding and worthwhile as we age. When people try to picture their futures, no one imagines living in ill health, or being left completely alone in the world. What we are beginning to understand now, however, is that loneliness and lack of social relationships actually make it far less likely that we will live a long life in the first place.

Happiness, a sense of meaning and peace of mind are important attributes possessed by most people who live long lives, and having good relationships with spouses, family and friends is one of the best predictors for longevity we are going to find. People are social animals, and they need other people in their lives just as surely as they need food, water and shelter. This is something most know instinctively, but in the past few years, research has been validating these instincts and giving us direct evidence about the real connection that exists between satisfying social relationships, and good health and longevity.

People Need People: The Scientific Evidence

The MacArthur Study of Successful Aging, carried out between 1988 and 1996, asked people between the ages of 70 and 79 to talk about how useful they felt to family and friends. After a few years, researchers came back to see how these individuals were doing, and they found that those who had rated their usefulness to loved ones as high had higher survival rates and lower incidence of disabling chronic illness. The results were adjusted for other possible risk factors for health, so there was no question that feelings of usefulness – or being needed by others – had demonstrated a health-preserving effect.

The Rush University Medical Center in Chicago studied the relationship between loneliness, isolation and mental health in 823 senior citizens. These older Americans were asked to evaluate their own levels of loneliness (which is, of course, a subjective feeling in the first place) on an annual basis, and they were regularly examined for signs of dementia or other types of cognitive problems. The findings of this study were released in 2007, and among the most striking discoveries was that Alzheimer’s rates for the loneliest 10% were twice as great as those for the rest of the men and women who participated in the study.

In Great Britain, a study was done involving 9,000 civil service employees that had them all fill out surveys revealing information about their most intimate relationships, both the positive and negative aspects. These civil service workers were then tracked over a period of years, and it turned out that those with the most unsatisfying relationships had a 34% greater chance of developing serious heart problems.

Why We Need Others to Thrive

Close, loving relationships with others have two survival advantages. First, when we have people to look out for us they will be there to give us advice, assistance and emergency aid, so when things do go wrong, or when we are in some kind of danger, we will not have to face it alone. We are often not the best judges of when we are in trouble, and people who are close to us can notice things that we don’t, such as signs of illness or self-destructive behaviors that we need to change.

Secondly, and most importantly, human beings live within a mind-body matrix where each affects the other. When we are feeling needed, wanted and loved, it causes biochemical changes in the body that can lower stress, increase energy, strengthen the immune system and ultimately extend lifespan. Studies like those referenced above are now scientifically verifying this important fact about how human beings really function.

With Meaning, There is Life

Having healthy, satisfying social relationships gives us something to live for as we age. It is an indisputable fact of nature that when we have meaning and purpose in our lives, our bodies will respond in a very positive manner to these emotions and psychological states. Few things give us more of a sense of meaning than strong and happy relationships, which is why good social connections can increase our longevity and improve our health in a very powerful way.

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Longevity and Bilingualism: Learning to Survive in a Second Language

Posted on August 29, 2011 by admin

One of the things that people fear the most as they age is the deterioration of their mental faculties. Alzheimer‘s disease and other types of dementia cause their victims to gradually lose touch with reality as they lose control of their minds and their bodies. Dementia is a terminal disease, and once it develops it will be a permanent companion until the end mercifully arrives.

Fortunately, a tremendous amount of research has gone into trying to understand these terrible diseases of the brain, and while there is no cure, much has been discovered about how lifestyle habits can influence the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia. The factors that are usually listed as having possible anti-dementia effects are dietary. However, new research has discovered another lifestyle choice that apparently has the potential to fight off dementia and promote longevity. This one may be surprising, but it appears that learning a foreign language can preserve cognitive functioning and slow the physical and mental ravages of dementia and Alzheimer’s, while helping to increase longevity in the process.

The Medical Effects of Learning a Foreign Language

The idea that learning a foreign language could help extend lifespan was first advocated publicly by the well-known alternative medical practitioner Dr. Andrew Weil, who mentioned the idea in his 2005 book Healthy Aging. Dr. Weil explained that learning a second language provides significant exercise for the brain as it gets the rust out, so to speak, by opening up brand new neural pathways. Backing Weil’s claim was a 2004 study performed at University College in London that found bilingual people had larger areas of gray matter in the brain, which is the part of the organ that processes information. Learning a new language later in life is not as easy as learning it when a person is younger, but just the effort to rejuvenate and reenergize inner mental processes in this way could help a person stave off Alzheimer’s – or so the theory claimed.

Based on the latest information, it appears the theory is right. At the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, held earlier this year in Washington, D.C., among the topics discussed was what the latest research has revealed about the connection between bilingualism and the health of the brain. It has been discovered that as the body ages, bilingual people are able to maintain demonstrably better cognitive functioning. The explanation for this is that when a person learns a second language, it basically sets up a parallel network of neural connections that exists at least somewhat independently from the rest of the brain and is capable of resisting the onset of mental decline. When bilingual people actually diagnosed with dementia were analyzed in various studies, it was found that their symptoms were running about four to five years behind those being exhibited by monolingual people diagnosed with the disease. Since dementia is a progressive fatal disease, this means that both the quality and the quantity of life are being extended in bilingual people.

Exercise for the Mind, Protection for the Body

Everyone knows that exercise can improve physical health and help prevent the diseases of aging. Unfortunately, it never occurs to most people that the brain needs exercise just like every other part of the body. When the brain does not get the exercise it craves and needs, it can easily slip into illness and decay.

Learning a foreign language is one of the most stimulating kinds of exercise that the brain can possibly get, because it pushes our brains and minds out of their comfort zone. While someone taking up a second language in middle age or beyond may never become fully bilingual, it is the process of learning a parallel language that delivers the benefits.

It must always be remembered that mental health and physical health are intimately related, and anything that promotes the welfare of the former can have a real effect on the latter. Exercise promotes longevity, and this is doubly true of exercise that benefits the brain and mind together.

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When the Spirit is Willing: Exploring the Connection Between Spiritual Practice and Longevity

Posted on August 29, 2011 by admin

There is little doubt that as we age, the state of our physical and mental health is strongly affected by the things that give meaning to our lives. Everyone needs something to live for, and if such motivation is absent, the results can be devastating. Depression, anxiety and stress-related illnesses thrive in the arid environment of a frustrated and lonely soul, and those who lack purpose tend to drift into bad habits that compromise their health even further.

Religion and spirituality have long been a source of meaning and inspiration for many people. But what most may not realize is that scientific research has demonstrated the ability of spiritual practice to keep people healthier and help extend longevity. Among those human beings who have found something that brings purpose and meaning to their lives, spirituality has been shown to have an especially powerful effect.

Researching the Health Effects of Spirituality

In 1999, there was an article published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences that reported the results of a study that looked at the mortality rates and religious practices of 4,000 Americans living in North Carolina between the ages of 64 and 101. What this Duke University research project revealed is that people who attended church at least once a week were 28% less likely to die during the six years of the study, after the results have been adjusted for other factors affecting mortality. Subsequently, other research studies have been done that have found the same thing: Spiritual practice extends lifespan.

Explaining the Connection

While no one doubts that finding something that brings meaning to life can have a positive effect on human health, it is clear there is something special about religion and spirituality that transcends this basic explanation. Longevity researchers and psychologists have offered some speculations about why religious practice might have the health-promoting benefits that scientific studies have uncovered.

One thing that has been pointed to by many in the strong social network that surrounds churchgoers. Not only do spiritual people form satisfying relationships through their spiritual practice, they also have the more practical benefit of having people who care about their health and who will notice if something is wrong. For older people, it can be especially helpful to have a member of the clergy and members of a larger church community who will stop in to check on them from time to time. This kind of social network is certainly an antidote to loneliness, and it may explain why religiously active people have been found to have lower levels of anxiety and depression.

Naturally, many have wondered if spiritual practice and beliefs in and of themselves could be a source for religion’s apparent ability to increase longevity. It has been suggested that spiritual belief brings comfort and reassurance to people when they are going through difficult times. Those who believe in spiritual dimensions may also have less stress contemplating their own mortality, and this absence of fear and trepidation as life approaches its end may have strong health benefits.

The Power of Sharing

For committed agnostics and atheists, an overtly religious lifestyle is obviously not an option. But perhaps the real message behind the research connecting spirituality to longevity is what it reveals about the importance of not just finding meaning, but finding shared meaning in a nurturing community of like-minded souls. Perhaps, in the end, tapping into the life-extending power of the spiritual dimension means finding your people, whoever and wherever they are.

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More Secrets of Longevity

Posted on August 29, 2011 by admin

We tend to treat aging and disease as if they are an inescapable fact of life. While it is true that aging is inevitable, the pace at which we age – and the way we experience life as we age – are heavily influenced by our habits and lifestyle. By changing our daily reality, we can improve the quality of our lives significantly. And since a better life generally means a longer life, the two go to together like lyrics and music.

Eating for Life

We are all familiar with the cliché that reminds us that we are what we eat. But if you think about it, how could we be anything else? Our cells are built, maintained and replaced from the raw materials we provide for them, and if we consume things that are high in additives and low in nutrients, among other bad effects, our process of aging will be rapidly accelerated.

Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are nature’s perfect sources of vitamins and minerals. These foods should be the staples of our diets, making up 70-80% of the calories we eat each and every day. In addition to having everything we need for healthy cell functioning, these food items are loaded with antioxidants. These powerful nutrients sweep the body clean of free radicals, which are pernicious agents of destruction that cause our cells to become damaged through the process of oxidation. Without antioxidants, free radicals that enter the body as a result of poor diet and pollution are free to wreak havoc, causing cells to age prematurely and lowering the body’s resistance to disease.

While adding more good foods to our diet is critically important, eliminating the bad ones is just as vital to good health and longevity. Processed foods make up a disturbingly high percentage of the average modern diet, and what people gain in convenience they lose in nutritional value when they choose to consume these items. Processed foods are low in nutrients, fiber and water, and are high in sugars and salts that stimulate the brain and cause us to overeat. Our cells do not get what they need to thrive and survive from processed foods, which have been stripped of everything that makes food nutritious and healthy.

Exercising More

It is true that moderate exercise – like walking thirty minutes a day – can go a long way towards keeping you healthy. But do not underestimate the value of more strenuous forms of exercise. If there is a sport or physical activity that you really enjoy, dedicating yourself to that sport or activity and getting yourself into top shape can have a lot of benefits that are mental as well as physical. When you have a true passion for something, it really gives you a lot to live for and be excited about. Forms of exercise that can also double as treasured hobbies promote health in a very powerful way.

Reducing Stress

The mind and the body are inextricably intertwined, and when we are under stress, it has a deleterious effect on our physical health. Reducing stress is a key secret of longevity, and there are a number of ways to do this, including:

  • Walking in nature
  • Self-hypnosis and meditation
  • Listening to soothing music
  • Keeping a journal to express thoughts and feelings
  • Getting seven to eight hours of sleep every night
  • Simplifying your life and not trying to do too much

You Are in Control

In 2009, the Centers for Disease Control released a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine about the connection between lifestyle choices and disease. Using data from a European study of 23,000 Germans, this report looked at the influence on health of four factors: healthy diet, obesity, exercise and smoking. What this study revealed is that those who had positive habits in all four of these areas had an 80% reduced risk of developing a serious, long-term disease in comparison to those who had negative habits in all four. This clearly shows the role our personal choices play in the overall state of our health.

Secrets of longevity are all based on one important principle: The health of our bodies is directly related to the way we to live. When we choose healthy habits over unhealthy ones, we are choosing longevity over its alternative. In the end, we are in control. A long, healthy life can be ours, if we want it bad enough.

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