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
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...