Add 14 Years to Your Life

tidbits that tantalize4 Steps = 14 Years...

Sounds a bit like an infomercial, doesn't it? "Yes, that's right, folks. Four simple steps can add YEARS to your life. Are you tired of being tired? Do you want more years in your life, and more life in your years? Look no further..."

Is there really a simple way to add years to your life? Well, according to British researchers there is - or, are. Four to be exact. Four simple steps that can, on average, add 14 years to your life. Fourteen! Let's see an infomercial make that kind of promise.

The researchers gathered baseline data from over 20,000 men and women, ages 45-79, between 1993 and 1997. They then followed their health status until 2006. The initial questioning assessed their lifestyle choices in four key areas, allowing the researchers to assign each participant a health rating of 0 to 4.

The four keys to longevity identified by the researchers are:

-drink moderately

-exercise

-quit smoking

-eat five servings of fruits and veggies each day

The study revealed that individuals who do all four of these activities live an average of fourteen years longer than those who do none of them. Those who disdained all the healthy choices were four times more likely to die, particularly from cardiovascular disease.

The researchers say the biggest benefit is to be found through quitting smoking, with an 80% improvement in health. The next biggest benefit? Eating your fruits and veggies, of course.

There you have it. The next time an obnoxious infomercial crashes your peaceful party, you'll know what to do. Flip off the television, grab an apple and head outside for a walk. Ah...

To read more about the study, see this from Reuters. To find help to quit smoking, see this from Smokefree.gov.