Unlock the Power of “Healthspan”
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted March 14, 2024
Eat more vegetables! Exercise for 30 minutes daily! Get eight hours of sleep!
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times. And as a Living Well Daily reader, you already know I’m a fan of taking simple steps to improve your health.
However, a patient sat in front of me the other day and asked if obsessively counting steps and tracking her macronutrients actually did much to increase her lifespan.
My answer may surprise you…
Can committing to healthy lifestyle changes translate into living LONGER?
The short answer is yes. (But stay tuned for the longer answer.) In fact, a 2019 study published in the British Medical Journal proves it.
Researchers tracked more than 110,000 volunteers for over 30 years, monitoring their overall lifestyles.
They found that folks who adopted healthy lifestyle habits such as controlling their weight, exercising regularly, and not smoking lived more than 30 disease-free years after age 50.
However, study participants who didn’t make these kinds of healthy lifestyle changes lived only 23 disease-free years after 50.
In other words, making simple, healthy choices can add over seven extra years to a healthy life.
Now for the LONGER answer…
What’s often overlooked in discussions on extending life is that in the long run, “HEALTHspan” is more critical than lifespan.
Sure, living longer is a great goal. But simply clocking in more years on this earth doesn’t guarantee they’re GOOD ones.
If you live an additional ten years confined to your bed, unable to care for yourself or participate in the activities you love, you’re merely extending existence rather than actually LIVING. And if you spend all your days obsessively dieting and exercising, you’re missing out on life.
So, as is the case with most things, moderation is key.
To extend your lifespan, adopt some straightforward healthy habits, such as good nutrition, daily exercise, and quality sleep.
Then, to ensure you live ALL your years to the fullest, regardless of how many there are, focus on healthspan.
Trade off those extra 30 minutes on the treadmill for more time with family and friends. Occasionally, swap the kale salad for a slice of birthday cake.
It’s all about BALANCE.
Meet the minimum daily guidelines, then focus the rest of your energy on enjoying each day. Relax with loved ones, cultivate hobbies, and savor special treats in moderation.
Remember that adding life to your years is just as important as adding years to your life.
P.S. The “Crystal Ball” test provides a surprisingly good prediction of longevity. It’s easy, free, and you can do it at home.
Source:
Li Y, Schoufour J, Wang D D, Dhana K, Pan A, Liu X et al. “Healthy lifestyle and life expectancy free of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes: prospective cohort study,” BMJ 2020; 368 :l6669 doi: 10.1136 /bmj. l6669
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
The Dieting Mistake That’s Harming Your Health
You don’t need me to tell you that being overweight has health consequences. But if you jump from one diet to another in pursuit of weight loss… well, you should rethink that tactic. A new report suggests that this common practice—yo-yo dieting—could harm your health. In fact, it could be doing FAR more harm than...
“Time Travel” Technique Predicts Dementia 20 Years EARLY?
Did you ever watch those old time-travel movies when you were a kid? I sure did—and I loved to daydream about being able to see the future. Well, now a new international study may have just uncovered a way for us to experience something similar. It’s probably not quite how you imagined it as a...
Are Your Ears Giving You a Hidden Warning?
Do you struggle to follow conversations in crowded restaurants? Or do you find yourself repeatedly asking, “What?” at big family gatherings like Thanksgiving? Most people brush this off as a normal part of aging. But groundbreaking research suggests this common problem could be an early WARNING SIGN of something far more serious… A massive study...
Liver Brain Link Will Have You Rethinking Memory Loss
Here’s something that might surprise you… Your liver could be secretly sabotaging your brain health. We know that what happens in the liver doesn’t always stay in the liver. But now, groundbreaking research reveals just how deeply this vital organ’s health is connected to a critical aspect of aging… your memory and thinking skills. Scientists...
Nature’s Pharmacy Knocks Out Long COVID Symptoms
I’ve had many people ask me about Long COVID recently. It’s a big concern because it’s affecting more survivors than you might think. If you’re one of them—before you resign yourself to a life of lingering symptoms—there’s hope on the horizon… And it comes straight from Mother Nature herself. Recent data paints a sobering picture....
11 Hacks to Beat the Winter Blues
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, many of us find ourselves battling more than just the cold weather. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that strikes during fall and winter, affects millions each year. While the exact causes aren’t fully understood, experts say that seasonal changes disrupt our body’s circadian...
Mailbag: Halt Hair Loss Naturally
“I take a lot of vitamins, but my hair is falling out by the handfuls. I am 85 years old, but don’t have any major health problems that I know of.” – Hair Today Gone Tomorrow Hi Hair Today, I understand your concern about hair loss. Few things make us feel older than our years, quite...
5 Fall Foods to Supercharge Your Immune System
It starts with a tickle in the back of your throat… Or a little sniffle or sneeze—and before you know it, you’re knocked down for the count. Cold and flu season has arrived. If you’ve managed to escape these sneaky little viruses so far, let’s try to keep it that way. Because, let’s be honest,...
Common Chemicals Could Be Sabotaging Your Sleep
Do you have trouble sleeping? Many of us blame common causes like afternoon coffee or evening screen time. But what if the real culprit is something you’d never expect—lurking right in your home? New research points to troubling evidence about how everyday chemicals could sabotage your shut-eye… Scientists have uncovered an alarming link between common...
The Forgotten Berry Your Bones Are Craving
Strawberries and blueberries rank first and second as America’s favorite berries. And, of course, cranberries shoot to the top of the list around this time of year. But there’s another underrated berry we should be giving a second look. Especially if you’re a senior concerned about your bone health. Because new research reveals this unassuming...