FEATURE: A Key to Longevity? Be Active!

Written by Kathryn Savage

If you want to live a long life, make it an active life. In America the term "active life" seems to conjure images of '80s spandex-clad Jazzercisers, or robust botoxed women on stair-climbers, or tan men running marathons.

But in reality, it appears the benefits of an active life can be as easily achieved as leaving the couch for a few hours a day and moving around. Research published on the website Science Daily reveals active adults may stay active a little longer than sedentary folks.

Our own studies of BlueZone cultures in places like Okinawa, Japan, suggest that people who incorporate movement in their leisure time live a longer life. Science Daily concurs: "Individuals who are physically active during their leisure time appear to be biologically younger than those with sedentary lifestyles ... regular exercisers have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, obesity and osteoporosis."

We're All Getting Older (That's a Good Thing)

Written by Bruno Bornsztein

Our average life expectancy hovers around 78, but the number of Americans joining the 85-and-over club is growing fast (it's the fastest-growing population in the United States. This, according to a story today on NPR describing the lifestyles that lead to a longer, better life:

"Researchers at Harvard University's Brigham and Women's Hospital followed a group of 2,357 men for about 25 years beginning in their early 70s. They found that the men who lived the longest had some things in common: They avoided smoking, didn't become obese or diabetic, controlled their blood pressure, and remained physically active, exercising two to four times per week. These men had greater than a 54 percent chance of living into their 90s, researchers said."

Of course, this is the "Moving Naturally" idea we've been promoting here at BlueZones.  We're not talking about bodybuilding, but rather the importance of regular, moderate exercise.

Despite high blood pressure and a respiratory condition, [Peggy Dunbar, 87, of Washington, D.C.] tries to get up and out every day.

"You see, before I got married I was a student nurse, and in those days, they walked and walked and walked," Dunbar says. "We didn't even have a car."

So, before society engineered exercise out of daily life, Dunbar's habits were already set. These days, she tries to fit in two or three exercise classes a week.

According to a second study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, this kind of active lifestyle is a key predictor of longevity.

 

Good news for night owls and early birds

Written by Michelle Albert

 

Image from Ecosherpa.co

Sometimes animal studies shed light on human behavior, and sometimes they don’t. Scientists have shown that if you make rodents exercise more (by running on a treadmill, of course), you can influence their circadian rhythms. 

Which (naturally) begs the question: Would exercising at different times of the day and night influence human circadian patterns? Scientists, in a controlled study, found that our circadian rhythms are not influenced by when we exercise. So, if you wake up at 3 a.m. and want to go hit some tennis balls, never fear. Your body won’t know the difference.

Homemade Salt Scrub! Great for Winter Skin!

Written by Kathryn Savage

When I was in college I had a proverbial revolving door of strange jobs. These jobs provided little in the way of a) money b) self esteem c) career development. But I learned a lot of useful information from each one.

 

One of the other bits of info I picked up was about exfoliating my skin. I worked at a day spa in Brooklyn that primped and pampered morning noon and night. My coworkers, the middle-aged Russian estheticians, had no qualms staring intensely into my cheek looking for imperfections when their clients were running late. “Dahling, you must exfoliate!” The shouted at me. So I started to exfoliate. I like exfoliating, it really does help your skin out. It’s sort of like pealing a banana. You slough off the dead skin and reveal healthy new skin that stays softer and more hydrated. Thanks to my new fav website, www.smartskincare.com I have a great exfoliating recipe for all of you at home!

It’s their salt and oil scrub for smooth skin. And it’s good....

I modified this from the recipe on their site (for the original click on this link: http://www.smartskincare.com) because I have a hard time leaving my house for ingredients. That’s why I’m a writer, people! Homebody to the max! Enjoy!

Longevity Tip: Keep on Truckin'

Written by Kathryn Savage

 

There are certain facts about aging, right? You know, wrinkles, gray hair, and driving like a crazy person? Well, One of the other big "truths" of aging is that our bodies slow down.

Conventional wisdom says we all move a little bit slower when we get a little bit older. But do we really?

An article recently published in The New York Times reports that impressive fitness levels can be maintained well into our golden years. 

 

To Drink or to Jog? That, my Friends, is the Question

Written by Kathryn Savage

 

I don’t know about you, but I don’t put going for a run and relaxing with a glass of wine in the same category. Ever. Running delays gratification, wine on the other hand fills me up and never lets me down. Given the choice, I’d much rather sit down with a glass of wine and a good book (ok, a US Weekly) than go for a jog any day. Well, according to Danish researchers, to run or to booze really is the question. Evidently, jogging and drinking are equal opportunity employers. Both alcohol and exercise, according to new research, lower cholesterol and improve heart health.

Time Magazine reports on the study:

Next time you want to load up on antioxidants … exercise

Written by Michelle Albert

It’s known that strenuous exercise causes cell damage. But there is now some good news. Spanish researchers have shown that moderate exercise can act as an antioxidant. Yes, that’s right, an antioxidant. While these chemical compounds get all the good press for being in fruits and vegetables and fighting free radicals, the scientists involved in the study showed that exercise increases the production of antioxidant enzymes in their rodent subjects.

As the researchers point out in their abstract, it’s known that exercise can increase human longevity, and now we may know one reason (of many) why this is the case.

 

Work Smart, Not Hard

Written by Kathryn Savage

Don't be a gym rat, be a smarty pants! According to the New York Times, the two go hand-in-hand. In a recent article that puts exercise under the microscope, researchers show that it’s less about what you do at the gym, than what going to the gym says about the rest of your lifestyle and daily habits. According to the New York Times:

A Key To Longevity? Wash Your Face!

Written by Kathryn Savage

Doctors and skin care experts agree that our skin picks up environmental debris morning, noon and night. Washing off dirt and makeup, (makeup that often contains a lot of not-so-friendly chemicals and irritants!) gives skin a rest from irritants and pollutants. It’s good practice to cleanse your skin with a mild soap at the start and end of everyday. And of course, to apply a generous dose of sunscreen before you go out in the morning. Dr.Hauschka Skin Care is a great organic, holistic product line with wonderful cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreens.

When it Comes to Exercise, No Pain = Gain!

Written by Kathryn Savage

There is a difference between feeling the burn and feeling the strain. A little known fact, I used to spend an hour on the treadmill every morning repenting for late night sins in the form of beer, wine and Mojito, while watching J.Lo videos. I watched MTV in the wee hours of the morning religiously while frenetically burning calories. But guess what? Cardio can’t save you from the throws of consumption, and over doing it at the gym is a fast track to injury.