Everybody wants to live long. Everyday, you hear of things that you can do today to add more years to your life. Vitamins. Supplements. Ointments. It can be overwhelming. But having a good foundation to achieve longevity doesn’t take a lot of money. Just look back at the habits of our ancestors from hundreds of years ago. Here are a few simple lifestyle changes to implement today to add years to your life.

  • Drink green tea. Green tea contains compounds that have been found to reduce the risk of several types of cancer and heart disease. It may also protect against Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Eat nuts. Eating nuts like almonds and walnuts have shown a consistent 30 to 50 percent reduction in risk of heart attacks or heart disease, according to long-term studies. A handful of these nuts several times a week can do the trick.
  • Eat beans. Beans have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. They are also the corner stone of every one of the diets in areas around the world where people live the longest and stay the healthiest.
  • Eat fish. Cold-water fatty fish like wild salmon (Alaskan, not Atlantic, which has high levels of mercury), sardines and herring contain omega-3 fats that protect the brain and the heart, improve mood and lower blood pressure.
  • Eat more produce: Fruits and veggies offer more preventive power than any other food. So eat these life-saving foods to your heart’s content!
  • Reduce stress. Many diseases are rooted in stress of some sort. Find things that burn off that stress or calm you down. Go for a quick jog, do some yoga or simply take some deep, cleansing breaths to get you back on track.
  • Exercise, exercise, exercise. This one is vital to living a long, healthy life. It’s important to do something every day. Try to get your heart rate up 3-5 times a week. And don’t forget to add some resistance training to build and maintain muscle and protect your bones from breaks or fractures.

One last thing: We have to keep our environment healthy to ensure our optimal health. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil that grows our food supply are all susceptible to pollutants that can affect our health. Without a healthy planet, all of the exercise and green tea in the world won’t amount to anything. Recycle, conserve water, compost, start a garden, teach your children how to be green. Take matters into your own hands. Help the planet live long and so can we.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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