A team of older men recently celebrated the finish of a pioneering 35-year health study – beating killer diseases and early death by making just five simple changes to their lifestyle. The study out of Cardiff University in Wales, is the longest of its kind to examine the influence of environmental factors in chronic disease.
In 1979, 2,500 men, aged 45 to 59, were asked to follow the rules that included eating a healthy diet, working out regularly, drinking less, managing their weight and never smoking. They were told if they followed this plan for healthy-living they would avoid heart disease, cancer, diabetes and dementia. All of the participants agreed to be monitored for the rest of their lives.
Now, 35 years later, the results are in. Just 25 of the men managed to stick to the plan – but all are far healthier and in better shape than those who gave up. Now in their 80s and 90s, they celebrated their long lives at a party held by the research team.
The volunteers gave researchers regular reports on their physical activity, alcohol consumption and diet, with their wives and families helping out by completing regular food frequency questionnaires. They were advised to walk two or more miles to work each day, bicycle ten or mile miles to work each day, or participate in regular “vigorous” exercise.
Every five years, participants were re-questioned and re-examined to identify new cases of certain health conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The researchers found that not smoking, having an acceptable BMI, eating lots of fruits and vegetables, participating in regular physical activity and moderate alcohol intake were linked with reductions in the incidence of certain chronic diseases.
The researchers found that the men who followed at least four of the specified steps were 60 percent less likely to develop dementia. There was a similar reduction in the risk of heart attacks and strokes, along with 40 percent fewer cancers. There was also a 70 per cent cut in the risk of diabetes, according to evidence presented yesterday at a Healthy Ageing summit run by the university on October 29.
The lead author of the study, Professor Peter Elwood of Cardiff University, said, “Following these steps did not give them complete protection against disease but the men who developed a disease, did so at a much older age than the men neglectful of their lifestyle.
“The development of heart disease was delayed by up to 12 years, and it was up to around an additional six years before dementia took its grip. It shows that following a healthy lifestyle staves off disease and premature death.”
Study participant Bachelor Ray Grace, now 80, kept up with the regime for 35 years. He says that he travels all over Wales refereeing college American football matches and walks and jogs two miles every day near his home.
Grace also remarked, “I’ll go on as long as I am able to. I’ve been refereeing for nearly 30 years now and still get a thrill out of it. As far as I’m concerned it’s been a great success. It has been invaluable for me and I’m pleased to have been part of it. I’ve stuck pretty well to the healthy lifestyle laid down and met with the researchers half a dozen times over the years.”
The study seems to underline what we already know. A healthy lifestyle means enjoying a life that’s not only longer, but also much more rewarding.
-The Alternative Daily
