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.
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