Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Get those shoes on and just do it!

Here’s more on the study we mentioned yesterday. Men in their 70s increase their chances of living into their 90s by avoiding smoking, obesity, inactivity, diabetes and high blood pressure to 54%.

Men who had all five conditions had only a 4% chance of living into their 90s.

The study, conducted by Harvard University researchers, followed 2,357 men for about 25 years or until death, starting in their early 70s.

The difference in longevity, according to lead author Dr. Laurel Yates of Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, is “… not just luck, it’s not just genetics… it’s lifestyle. It’s get your shoes on, get out there, and do some exercise.”

You might say this ought to be published in Duh Magazine (to borrow one of Andy Borowitz’s lines). It certainly makes perfect sense. Smoking usually goes with inactivity, and obesity is a leading precursor to diabetes. Smoking, obesity and inactivity do not exactly lower your blood pressure.

Maintaining your physical health at the highest possible level contributes to energy, mental clarity and the overall vitality you need to reboot yourself.

So get those shoes on and do some exercise. Or get some exercise. Just keep moving!

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